Best Teen & Young Adult Geography & Cultures Nonfiction eBooks

The New York Times bestselling true story of an all-American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. What started as chatty letters turned into a lifeline for Martin and his family, as Caitlin and her parents helped the boy stay in school and achieve his goal of studying at an American university. Told in the first person, with chapters alternating between Caitlin's and Martin's points of view, this title effectively conveys both of these young people's perspectives. Caitlin's early chapters, however, in which she discusses friendship and boyfriend woes, feel somewhat superficial compared with Martin's genuinely troubled life. * "Sensitively and candidly demonstrating how small actions can result in enormous change, this memoir of two families' transformation through the commitment and affection of long-distance friends will humble and inspire. "― Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The remarkable tenacity of these two souls pulled like magnets across the world by their opposite polarities - one committed to helping, the other to surviving - is deeply affecting...It's quite a little miracle of unexpected genuineness. Told in the first person, with chapters alternating between Caitlin's and Martin's points of view, this title effectively conveys both of these young people's perspectives...a strong and inspiring story...and an eye-opening look at life in another culture.

World War II is nearly over in Europe, but in the Pacific, American soldiers face an enemy who will not surrender, despite a massive and mounting death toll. "A skillfully organized overview of the fall of the Third Reich, O’Reilly’s summary coordinates text with graphic photos for maximum impact." “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal. He holds a history degree from Marist College, a masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another masters degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

During World War II a community called Manzanar was hastily created in the high mountain desert country of California, east of the Sierras. First published in 1973, this new edition of the classic memoir of a devastating Japanese American experience includes an inspiring afterword by the authors. Jeanne Wakatsuki was seven years old in 1942 when her family was uprooted from their home and sent to live at Manzanar internment camp--with 10,000 other Japanese Americans. Farewell To Manzanar is the true story of one spirited Japanese American family's attempt to survive the indignities of forced detention .

During World War II a community called Manzanar was hastily created in the high mountain desert country of California, east of the Sierras. First published in 1973, this new edition of the classic memoir of a devastating Japanese American experience includes an inspiring afterword by the authors. Jeanne Wakatsuki was seven years old in 1942 when her family was uprooted from their home and sent to live at Manzanar internment camp--with 10,000 other Japanese Americans. Farewell To Manzanar is the true story of one spirited Japanese American family's attempt to survive the indignities of forced detention .

The Allied forces, led by American generals George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower, are gaining control of Europe, leaving German leaders scrambling. “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal on Lincoln's Last Days. Bill O'Reilly is a former high-school history teacher and the author of several number one bestselling books, including Lincoln's Last Days and Killing Kennedy.

Publishers Weekly Best Book * ALA Best Book for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children's Book * ALA Booklist Editors' Choice. She witnesses neighbors being beaten to death, her best friend's grandmother's suicide, the systematic degradation of her father, and endless public humiliations. She makes it very clear that the atrocities were the inevitable result of the confusion and fanaticism manipulated by unscrupulous leaders for their own petty ends. ?John Philbrook, formerly at San Francisco Public Library. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. A child's nightmare unfolds in Jiang's chronicle of the excesses of Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution in China in the late 1960s. In the name of the revolution, homes were searched and possessions taken or destroyed, her father imprisoned, and her mother's health imperiled--until the next round of revolutionaries came in and reversed many of the dicta of the last.

World War II is nearly over in Europe, but in the Pacific, American soldiers face an enemy who will not surrender, despite a massive and mounting death toll. "A skillfully organized overview of the fall of the Third Reich, O’Reilly’s summary coordinates text with graphic photos for maximum impact." “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal. He holds a history degree from Marist College, a masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another masters degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Affectionately dubbed "the Nigerian Harry Potter," Akata Witch weaves together a heart-pounding tale of magic, mystery, and finding one's place in the world. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. -Ursula K. Le Guin Nnedi Okorafor was born in the United States to two Nigerian immigrant parents.

The Allied forces, led by American generals George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower, are gaining control of Europe, leaving German leaders scrambling. “This thrillerlike adaptation captures the excitement of the Union victory in the Civil War and the shock and horror that quickly followed as the country learned of Lincoln's death and sought revenge on his assassins. The popularity of O'Reilly's adult title will drive interest in this version, but it definitely stands alone and will find an audience among general readers and report writers.” ― School Library Journal on Lincoln's Last Days. Bill O'Reilly is a former high-school history teacher and the author of several number one bestselling books, including Lincoln's Last Days and Killing Kennedy.

With archival photographs and text among other primary sources, this riveting biography of Mary Mallon by the Sibert medalist and Newbery Honor winner Susan Bartoletti looks beyond the tabloid scandal of Mary's controversial life. Mallon has often been described as ignorant and a menace to society due to her refusal to stop working as a cook when she was later briefly released from quarantine, but Bartoletti tells the woman's story with empathy and understanding. VERDICT Middle grade biography lovers will gravitate toward this compelling title.—Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY * "Bartoletti tells the woman’s story with empathy and understanding [and] explores the myriad violations of Mallon’s civil rights and her unusually harsh treatment in comparison to other healthy typhoid carriers. — School Library Journal , starred review * "Expertly weaving together both historical background and contemporary knowledge about disease and public health, Bartoletti enlivens Mallon's story with engrossing anecdotes and provocative critical inquiry while debunking misconceptions." * "Bartoletti skillfully weaves the answers into the beginning of the story, before moving on to Soper's cat-and-mouse game of tracking Mary down and then keeping her quarantined for most of the rest of her life...excellent nonfiction."

Jack Canfield, cocreator of the famed Chicken Soup for the Soul series, has teamed up with successful author and young entrepreneur Kent Healy to design a fun and engaging book that offers the timeless information and inspiration to help you get to where you want to be. The Success Principles for Teens is your road map whether your goal is to become a better student or athlete, start a business, make millions of dollars, or simply find guidance and direction. Well, many of us today believe that somehow, somewhere, someone (certainly not us) is responsible for filling our lives with continual happiness, exciting career options, entertainment, money, amazing friendships, and relation­ships because . This determining factor is also the one lesson that this entire book is based on. If you want to be successful, retire early, gain the respect of others, and just have more fun, then you need to take 100% responsibility for everything that you do and experience in life. This includes the level of your achievements, the quality of your relationships, your emotions, the results you produce in and out of school, and the state of your health―yes, everything! We blame our parents, teachers, friends, MTV, the weather, or even the star-sign forecasts! Sure, we will all experience our own unique challenges that happen out of our control, but taking responsibility means that we don't dwell on the problem, ignore it, complain about it, or blame someone or something else for what we're experiencing. Instead, it means that we take control of our thoughts and our actions, and do whatever we can to improve the situation. Sure, life's challenges come in all shapes and sizes, but there is always something that we can do differently to change what we are currently experiencing. Whether someone is super-successful or struggling to survive, the quality of their life depends on their thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Nathan, 18 (Indianapolis, IN): I didn't meet Jack Canfield under the best circumstances, but looking back, I'm glad we crossed paths.Jack was at my school working with a group of teachers when he heard me arguing with one of my teachers outside the staff room. He left his meeting, walked over to me, and asked me to explain the situation. I told him (in a loud voice) that I had just been suspended from the baseball team and that this wasn't fair. Jack then turned to my principal who was now watching our conversation and asked, 'What's the rule here? How many times do you have to be late without a legitimate reason before you get suspended from an athletic team?'. Jack turned back to the principal and said, 'So this is where the school participated in creating this situation. I looked Jack straight in the eyes and said, 'Nothing's more important than playing baseball. He continued, 'You made something else more important than getting to school on time so you could play baseball. We talked for a little longer, and then Jack convinced my principal to give me one more shot now that I was more aware the situation and was accepting full responsibility. But, we all agreed, if I was late one more time, I would be suspended with no rights to complain or fight about it. First, I had to put my clock on the other side of the room so I would have to get out of bed to turn it off. And, second, if I wasn't up by a certain time, I had to pay my mom a dollar to pour ice water on me. The rest of my baseball season went well―even my coach commented on my change of attitude. The young woman offers to help him search for the key. This is a great example of how we look outside of ourselves for the solution to our problems because it's easier than searching for the real cause, which is inside us. We are the source of our problems, and we need to face that fact because until we do, we can't change anything. We need to look life straight in the eyes and face the facts―no matter how uncomfortable it may be. You might be happy with the way things are in your life―and that's fantastic―but every successful person knows there is always room for improvement. The very first step to achieving major success and enjoying the things that are most important to you is to take 100% responsibility for your life. Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.―George Washington CarverAmerican agricultural researcher and educator. Like opposite forces of a magnet, success and excuses just refuse to work together. In that instant you're heading in a completely new direction, leaving the opportunity for success behind. Excuses allow us to give up mentally and justify why something can't be done or why we're not good enough―and once that happens . A few years ago, my brother and I learned this lesson the hard way while we were writing our first book. When we started the project, we were in school, playing sports, working, and trying to write the book as well. The truth was, we really were tired, and we were short on time, but believing that we couldn't do anything to change the circumstances meant we weren't really taking full responsibility. Taking 100% responsibility means that we are committed to finding a solution to the challenges we face. Here's what we learned: No matter how truthful your excuses are, people don't want to hear them. Believing that we have the power to make things better and produce the results we really want. All that matters is that from this point forward we choose―that's right, it's a choice―to act as if we are 100% responsible for everything that does or doesn't happen to us. When I didn't get the grade I hoped for or I didn't make a good serve on the volleyball court, I immediately looked for things that other people weren't doing right. My friend then said, 'So, are you saying that other people control your life, your results, and your happiness?'. I noticed that the reason I never achieved my goals was because I was letting the world walk all over me. For me, the power of responsibility was life-changing.TIP: Instead of pointing the finger at other people, use it to identify a new solution. Now let's look at trap number two: complaining.The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.―Lou HoltzFormer football coach at Notre Dame. Here's the raw truth: The circumstances we do complain about are, in actuality, situations that we have the power to change―but have chosen not to. We can always study more, eat healthier, change classes, work out harder, practice longer, choose better friends, and feed our minds different information. By taking responsibility and changing things, we run the risk of failure, confrontation, or being wrong―and these fears hold a lot of us back. So, to avoid any of those uncomfortable feelings and experiences, it's easier to stay put, blame others, and just complain about it. However, every successful person we've had the opportunity to meet believed that we all have two choices in life: Most people dance around the truth and deny that they are the reason for the quality of their life. The basic idea is this: Every outcome we experience in life (whether it's success or failure, health or illness, happiness or frustration) is the result of how we have responded to an earlier event (or events) in our lives. If you don't like the outcomes you are currently getting, there are two choices you can make:1) You can blame the event (E) for your lack of results (O). In other words, you can blame your parents, your teachers, your friends, your teammates, your childhood, the weather, racism, your lack of support, and so on. Oprah Winfrey wouldn't have had the country's top daily talk show, Bill Gates would never have founded Microsoft. - Lots of people have overcome these so-called 'limiting factors'―so it can't be these factors that limit you. We think limiting thoughts, defend our self-destructive behavior, ignore useful feedback, waste time on gossip­ing, eat unhealthy food, fail to exercise, spend more money than we make, don't plan for the future, avoid risk, and fail to tell the truth―and then wonder why our lives don't work. 2) You can instead simply change your responses (R) to the events (E)―the way things are―until you get the outcomes (O) you want. It's not some­thing that happens over­night, but catching ourselves in the middle of a negative thought and changing our behavior just a couple of times each day can make all the difference. The principal announced over the intercom, 'Today, during first period, the junior class will be taking a surprise examination. As I made my way to the gym and waited in line, I could hear students complaining and see them bickering with each other. Then I noticed a different group of three or four people who appeared to be unaffected by this surprise exam. I remember thinking to myself, 'Hmmm, if the test was really the determining factor to the way people felt, then everyone should be upset.'. It depended on one thing: their response.It was each individual's response (R) to the exam that gave each person his or her own unique outcome (O). It was a combination of attitude and behavior that created their completely different experiences. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher: Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. Jack Canfield began as a passionate teacher dedicated to helping young people succeed by building self-esteem and confidence. Today, he is the cocreator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, developing forty New York Times bestsellers. He is America's leading expert in creating peak performances for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, educators, and students.

Careers have been launched, goals have been met, and dreams have been realized—all through the power of the Miracle Morning Life S.A.V.E.R.S. Natalie Marie Janji is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA with a B.S. —Learn why mornings matter more than you think. —Learn how to master your own self-leadership and personal growth. —Learn how to manage your energy —physical, mental, and emotional. —Learn how to apply your new skills to your academics, your social life, your health, and even your plans for post-graduation and career.

Sofie, a Jewish Dutch girl, struggles to adapt to living in Berkenhout, away from her family and friends. Henk Hauer, head woodman, is in charge of building the underground huts and ensuring the Berkenhout inhabitants stay safe. The characters are well drawn and the historical details convincing, not surprising since the author tells us in a foreword that her mother was Dutch and was in Holland during these troubling times. The Hidden Village, however, while just as true to the horrors of the Holocaust, allows the readers to not just be reminded of what has happened but to also be able to immerse themselves into a world of well written fiction. Storytelling is of a superb quality, and she has the ability to bring vividly to life these very hard and brutal times in a clear fashion, as well as the atmosphere in which the Jews had to live in WWII, and all that in a gripping and heart-breaking way within this wonderful tale. Born in Rijswijk, Holland, to a Dutch mother and English father, the family moved to England when Imogen was very young.

This book is the result of long hours spent poring over data and descriptions from a variety of sources, including microfilms of eighteenth-century illustrations from the national Diet Library in Tokyo, in order to bring you detailed information on almost 50 of these amazing creatures for the first time in English. Alongside each illustration is a series of "data points," with each yokai's important features at a glance—especially handy for any potential close encounters. Gr 8 Up-For anyone who's ever wondered how they would fare against a kappa, kitsune, or the dreaded kuchisake onna, these lively volumes are structured as handbooks for surviving encounters with Japan's legendary monsters, spirits, assassins, and spies. dispels stereotypes while filling in the real history of these infamous spies and assassins. Action-packed tales of vengeful spirits and shape-shifting badgers are accompanied by historical background, regional origins, and related trivia, while profiles of well-known ninja are interspersed with details of their daily lives, such as housing and food. Gleefully gory manga-style illustrations in full color add to the creep-out factor of the texts, and eye-catching layouts with photographs and reproductions of woodblock prints make for a visually appealing reading experience. An engaging blend of information and entertainment, this trilogy is a fantastic reference for budding manga artists who want to incorporate Japanese legends into their own stories, or anyone who simply enjoys a good scare.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "An invaluable resource for anyone interested in J-Horror and Japanese culture; gave me a deeper understanding of what I've been enjoying for so many years."

WHAT TO EXPECT : This is a workbook designed to offer plenty of practice with essential skills. The last chapter involves applications of trig identities, which is a challenging topic that will mostly interest more advanced students. CONTENTS : This workbook is conveniently divided up into 11 chapters so that students can focus on one trigonometry skill at a time. converting between degrees and radians; expressing sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent as fractions by looking at right triangles; solving for unknown sides and angles in 45°-45°-90° and 30°-60°-90° right triangles; determining the sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent of multiples of 30° and 45° up to 360° (working with both degrees and radians); practice finding the reference angle for angles in Quadrants II, III, and IV; finding the inverse trig functions; applying the law of sines and the law of cosines to solve for unknown sides and angles in acute and obtuse triangles; solving problems with trig identities (like the angle sum and difference formulas); and solving algebraic equations that feature basic trig functions. In this way, they can try to have fun improving on their records, which can help lend them confidence in their math skills. As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. RELATED BOOKS IN THE IMPROVE YOUR MATH FLUENCY SERIESTrigonometry Essentials Practice Workbook with Answers . This book provides an introduction or review to the basic ideas, concepts, and skills of trigonometry with explanations and examples. Trigonometry Flash Cards : Memorize the values of trig functions (sine, cosine, and tangent) from 0 to 360 degrees. Learn basic coordinate algebra graphing skills, including the four Quadrants, plotting points, finding slope, y-intercept, and the equation for a straight line. Inan effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic mathskills, he has published this Improve Your Math Fluency Series of mathworkbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, and trigonometry.

You can set this dictionary as your default Kindle dictionary and look up words while reading. Today, the company continues as the leader in language reference, publishing a diverse array of print and electronic products, including the best-selling Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.

In How to Be a High School Superstar, Cal Newport explores the world of relaxed superstars—students who scored spots at the nation’s top colleges by leading uncluttered, low stress, and authentic lives. Students will find his book extremely useful and admissions officers will be relieved to see applicants who escape the cookie-cutter syndrome.”. —Dr. CAL NEWPORT is the author of How to Win at College and How to Become a Straight-A Student .

An indispensable book for teens, as well as parents, grandparents, and any adult who influences young people, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is destined to become the last word on surviving and thriving as a teen and beyond. “A recipe for teenage success!” (Dominique Moceanu, 1996 US Olympic Gold Medalist, Women's Gymnastics and New York Times bestselling author, Off Balance ). “I wish I'd had this book when I was a teen.” (Shannon Hale, New York Times bestselling author of Newbery Honor winner Princess Academy and The Goose Girl ). When I saw Sean’s book on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens , I was excited to have another weapon to take our players and culture to a higher level. Whether you are a teen or not, you should read this book!” (Anson Dorrance, University of North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer coach, 22 time national collegiate champion ). You’ll hear new perspectives on how to improve your relationships and leadership skills that will positively impact your life, resulting in greater happiness…. I have personally read it and practiced the timeless principles with my daughters.” (Diana Thomas, U.S. vice president of training, learning & development, McDonalds Corporation ). “Fifteen years ago Sean Covey wrote a powerful book that taught teens that they had the ability to choose their behavior but not the consequences. “Sean's book helps teenagers to become climbers rather than campers, to live with a goal in mind, and to confront obstacles with a ‘no barriers mindset.’ He urges young people to Make Your Life Extraordinary and provides a pathway which will get them there. In a world with so many distractions and temptations, the guidelines he provides are invaluable to a purposeful and successful life.” (Erik Weihenmayer, blind adventurer, speaker, author, and filmmaker ). If you want to live a life of contribution, set and achieve extraordinary goals, and stay focused and organized, practice every habit in Sean's book. “The inspiring examples from real-life problems that teenagers like myself deal with every day, and their experiences and situations, have helped me make lifesaving decisions. Those who wish to avoid the temptations and devastation of drugs, including alcohol, would be wise to implement The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens . Written for teenagers, this book is an indispensable tool, helping young people make the right choices, while growing up in the chaos of today. “Powerful but not parental— an important message delivering much more than good advice, it offers true direction to teens living in a challenging, complex world. This book is an intensive training program for youth to grow and develop so they can become winners in the competition of life.” (Kristi Yamaguchi, U.S. Olympic figure skating gold medalist ). “An intensive training program for youth to grow and become winners in the competition of life.” (Kristi Yamaguchi, U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist ). “A recipe for teenage success!” (Dominique Moceanu, 1996 US Olympic Gold Medalist, Women's Gymnastics and New York Times bestselling author, Off Balance ). “I wish I'd had this book when I was a teen.” (Shannon Hale, New York Times bestselling author of Newbery Honor winner Princess Academy and The Goose Girl ). When I saw Sean’s book on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens , I was excited to have another weapon to take our players and culture to a higher level. Whether you are a teen or not, you should read this book!” (Anson Dorrance, University of North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer coach, 22 time national collegiate champion ). You’ll hear new perspectives on how to improve your relationships and leadership skills that will positively impact your life, resulting in greater happiness…. I have personally read it and practiced the timeless principles with my daughters.” (Diana Thomas, U.S. vice president of training, learning & development, McDonalds Corporation ). “Fifteen years ago Sean Covey wrote a powerful book that taught teens that they had the ability to choose their behavior but not the consequences. “Sean's book helps teenagers to become climbers rather than campers, to live with a goal in mind, and to confront obstacles with a ‘no barriers mindset.’ He urges young people to Make Your Life Extraordinary and provides a pathway which will get them there. In a world with so many distractions and temptations, the guidelines he provides are invaluable to a purposeful and successful life.” (Erik Weihenmayer, blind adventurer, speaker, author, and filmmaker ). If you want to live a life of contribution, set and achieve extraordinary goals, and stay focused and organized, practice every habit in Sean's book. Based on his father's bestselling The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , Sean Covey applies the same principles to teens, using a vivacious, entertaining style. To keep it fun, Covey writes, he "stuffed it full of cartoons, clever ideas, great quotes, and incredible stories about real teens from all over the world... along with a few other surprises." Flip open to any page and become instantly absorbed in real-life stories of teens who have overcome obstacles to succeed, and step-by-step guides to shifting paradigms, building equity in "relationship bank accounts," creating action plans, and much more. As a self-acknowledged guinea pig for many of his dad's theories, Sean Covey is a living example of someone who has taken each of the seven habits to heart: be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw.

Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students is a complete and comprehensive guide to all things grammar from Grammar Girl, a.k.a. "This guide is accessible to all, whether writing is limited to texting and e-mailing or creating the next great novel…Fogarty has succeeded in furnishing students with a witty guide to an often-challenging part of daily life.” — VOYA.

Jack Canfield, cocreator of the famed Chicken Soup for the Soul series, has teamed up with successful author and young entrepreneur Kent Healy to design a fun and engaging book that offers the timeless information and inspiration to help you get to where you want to be. The Success Principles for Teens is your road map whether your goal is to become a better student or athlete, start a business, make millions of dollars, or simply find guidance and direction. Well, many of us today believe that somehow, somewhere, someone (certainly not us) is responsible for filling our lives with continual happiness, exciting career options, entertainment, money, amazing friendships, and relation­ships because . This determining factor is also the one lesson that this entire book is based on. If you want to be successful, retire early, gain the respect of others, and just have more fun, then you need to take 100% responsibility for everything that you do and experience in life. This includes the level of your achievements, the quality of your relationships, your emotions, the results you produce in and out of school, and the state of your health―yes, everything! We blame our parents, teachers, friends, MTV, the weather, or even the star-sign forecasts! Sure, we will all experience our own unique challenges that happen out of our control, but taking responsibility means that we don't dwell on the problem, ignore it, complain about it, or blame someone or something else for what we're experiencing. Instead, it means that we take control of our thoughts and our actions, and do whatever we can to improve the situation. Sure, life's challenges come in all shapes and sizes, but there is always something that we can do differently to change what we are currently experiencing. Whether someone is super-successful or struggling to survive, the quality of their life depends on their thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Nathan, 18 (Indianapolis, IN): I didn't meet Jack Canfield under the best circumstances, but looking back, I'm glad we crossed paths.Jack was at my school working with a group of teachers when he heard me arguing with one of my teachers outside the staff room. He left his meeting, walked over to me, and asked me to explain the situation. I told him (in a loud voice) that I had just been suspended from the baseball team and that this wasn't fair. Jack then turned to my principal who was now watching our conversation and asked, 'What's the rule here? How many times do you have to be late without a legitimate reason before you get suspended from an athletic team?'. Jack turned back to the principal and said, 'So this is where the school participated in creating this situation. I looked Jack straight in the eyes and said, 'Nothing's more important than playing baseball. He continued, 'You made something else more important than getting to school on time so you could play baseball. We talked for a little longer, and then Jack convinced my principal to give me one more shot now that I was more aware the situation and was accepting full responsibility. But, we all agreed, if I was late one more time, I would be suspended with no rights to complain or fight about it. First, I had to put my clock on the other side of the room so I would have to get out of bed to turn it off. And, second, if I wasn't up by a certain time, I had to pay my mom a dollar to pour ice water on me. The rest of my baseball season went well―even my coach commented on my change of attitude. The young woman offers to help him search for the key. This is a great example of how we look outside of ourselves for the solution to our problems because it's easier than searching for the real cause, which is inside us. We are the source of our problems, and we need to face that fact because until we do, we can't change anything. We need to look life straight in the eyes and face the facts―no matter how uncomfortable it may be. You might be happy with the way things are in your life―and that's fantastic―but every successful person knows there is always room for improvement. The very first step to achieving major success and enjoying the things that are most important to you is to take 100% responsibility for your life. Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses.―George Washington CarverAmerican agricultural researcher and educator. Like opposite forces of a magnet, success and excuses just refuse to work together. In that instant you're heading in a completely new direction, leaving the opportunity for success behind. Excuses allow us to give up mentally and justify why something can't be done or why we're not good enough―and once that happens . A few years ago, my brother and I learned this lesson the hard way while we were writing our first book. When we started the project, we were in school, playing sports, working, and trying to write the book as well. The truth was, we really were tired, and we were short on time, but believing that we couldn't do anything to change the circumstances meant we weren't really taking full responsibility. Taking 100% responsibility means that we are committed to finding a solution to the challenges we face. Here's what we learned: No matter how truthful your excuses are, people don't want to hear them. Believing that we have the power to make things better and produce the results we really want. All that matters is that from this point forward we choose―that's right, it's a choice―to act as if we are 100% responsible for everything that does or doesn't happen to us. When I didn't get the grade I hoped for or I didn't make a good serve on the volleyball court, I immediately looked for things that other people weren't doing right. My friend then said, 'So, are you saying that other people control your life, your results, and your happiness?'. I noticed that the reason I never achieved my goals was because I was letting the world walk all over me. For me, the power of responsibility was life-changing.TIP: Instead of pointing the finger at other people, use it to identify a new solution. Now let's look at trap number two: complaining.The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.―Lou HoltzFormer football coach at Notre Dame. Here's the raw truth: The circumstances we do complain about are, in actuality, situations that we have the power to change―but have chosen not to. We can always study more, eat healthier, change classes, work out harder, practice longer, choose better friends, and feed our minds different information. By taking responsibility and changing things, we run the risk of failure, confrontation, or being wrong―and these fears hold a lot of us back. So, to avoid any of those uncomfortable feelings and experiences, it's easier to stay put, blame others, and just complain about it. However, every successful person we've had the opportunity to meet believed that we all have two choices in life: Most people dance around the truth and deny that they are the reason for the quality of their life. The basic idea is this: Every outcome we experience in life (whether it's success or failure, health or illness, happiness or frustration) is the result of how we have responded to an earlier event (or events) in our lives. If you don't like the outcomes you are currently getting, there are two choices you can make:1) You can blame the event (E) for your lack of results (O). In other words, you can blame your parents, your teachers, your friends, your teammates, your childhood, the weather, racism, your lack of support, and so on. Oprah Winfrey wouldn't have had the country's top daily talk show, Bill Gates would never have founded Microsoft. - Lots of people have overcome these so-called 'limiting factors'―so it can't be these factors that limit you. We think limiting thoughts, defend our self-destructive behavior, ignore useful feedback, waste time on gossip­ing, eat unhealthy food, fail to exercise, spend more money than we make, don't plan for the future, avoid risk, and fail to tell the truth―and then wonder why our lives don't work. 2) You can instead simply change your responses (R) to the events (E)―the way things are―until you get the outcomes (O) you want. It's not some­thing that happens over­night, but catching ourselves in the middle of a negative thought and changing our behavior just a couple of times each day can make all the difference. The principal announced over the intercom, 'Today, during first period, the junior class will be taking a surprise examination. As I made my way to the gym and waited in line, I could hear students complaining and see them bickering with each other. Then I noticed a different group of three or four people who appeared to be unaffected by this surprise exam. I remember thinking to myself, 'Hmmm, if the test was really the determining factor to the way people felt, then everyone should be upset.'. It depended on one thing: their response.It was each individual's response (R) to the exam that gave each person his or her own unique outcome (O). It was a combination of attitude and behavior that created their completely different experiences. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher: Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. Jack Canfield began as a passionate teacher dedicated to helping young people succeed by building self-esteem and confidence. Today, he is the cocreator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, developing forty New York Times bestsellers. He is America's leading expert in creating peak performances for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, educators, and students.

Inspired by the original Hogwart’s textbook by Newt Scamander, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original screenplay marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved and internationally bestselling Harry Potter books. J.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series of seven books, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories and translated into 79 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films by Warner Bros. She has written three companion volumes to the series in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in aid of Comic Relief; and The Tales of Beedle the Bard in aid of her children's charity Lumos.

REA’s English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language and Culture in the U.S. with Embedded Audio & Mp3 Download Helps English Language Learners Improve Their Skills. If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to improve your English language skills, this is the book for you! ENGLISH THE AMERICAN WAY: A FUN ESL GUIDE TO LANGUAGE & CULTURE IN THE U.S. WITH AUDIO CD & MP3. LEARN ENGLISH FROM THE EXPERTS Written by experienced ESL instructors, this handy guidebook was designed for people who already have a basic grasp of English, but want to improve how they speak the language as it is spoken in the United States. Celebrate the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to English Language and Culture. As English as a Second Language (ESL). teachers, they worked together on lots of projects… and had lots of. fun as they worked. Sheila. has held several leadership positions scoring teacher candidate responses. for an international testing company, and Jane has written. ESL test questions and rated English as a Foreign Language exams. for another internationally recognized testing company.