Gr. 6-12. With its familiar mix of the inspirational, the sad but heartwarming, and the sweetly funny, the Chicken Soup series turns to the audience of Christian teens. Grouped by subject (“On Faith,” “On Loss and Grieving,” “On Gratitude”), the stories, poems, and cartoons offer hope, comfort, and more than a few tears. Throughout, there’s an emphasis on God working in surprising ways. In one selection, an anonymous teenager develops a stutter after a terrible beating but then discovers a calling as a music therapist as a result of the speech impediment. Many teens will relate to an anecdote about a young woman’s struggles after being dumped by her boyfriend, though the connection between the breakup and Christianity is never made literal in her postbreakup search for comfort and meaning. Like the best selections here, her story is inspirational without being condescending or message heavy. The teenage writers’ pieces will connect with the audience better than the selections written by adults, but even the grown-ups’ nostalgic recollections have the air of authentic feeling. John Green
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This new volume in the blockbuster teen series puts faith first.

For teens who make God an integral part of their lives, teens who are sorting through doubts about whether God really cares about them, and teens who don’t know God at all, Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul may be one of the most influential books they’ll ever read.

These stories about love, friendship, forgiveness, making a difference, courage, dating (and lots more) show how God is at work in teenagers’ lives. Teens share stories about how God has given them the courage to cope with the tough stuff, the joy to live a fulfilling life, the strength to persevere when they feel alone, and the love and confidence they need to feel good about themselves. This very special volume will also help them to use other teens’ experiences to build a stronger relationship with God.

For teens tempted to use drugs, alcohol or other substances, Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul can be a lifeline to God. They will know that God cares what they think when it feels as if no one else does, and that he loves them no matter what.