• Age: 6 to 18
• Grade: 1 to 12

Nine Ways to Empower Tweens #LIFESKILLS is a self-help book for tweens.

Fraternal twins Emma and Elliot teach tweens practical life strategies that they've learned from their parents and teachers. These life skills include how to have more confidence when presenting in class, the importance of work ethic, a simple writing technique to help deal with anger, and more.

There are exercises at the end of each chapter that tweens can use to integrate what they've learned. Parents, teachers and caregivers can assist tweens by discussing and reinforcing these life strategies at school and at home.

Kathleen Boucher's profile page

Kathleen Boucher is an award-winning children’s book author, a certified lifestyle coach, a certified neurocoach, a certified stress and wellness consultant, and a registered nurse. Her mission is to inspire kids to follow their dreams. Nine Ways to Empower Tweens #LIFESKILLS gives tweens strategies that empower them.

NINE WAYS TO EMPOWER TWEENS #LIFESKILLS is packed with useful tips, exercises and references to help teenagers build a strong personal foundation.

Presented from the viewpoint and experiences of 12-year-old fraternal twins Emma and Elliot, the tone of NINE WAYS TO EMPOWER TWEENS #LIFESKILLS by Kathleen Boucher is immediately engaging. Through their down-to-earth perspective as peers experiencing similar issues, the siblings share lessons from their parents about focusing on gratitude each day, ways to diffuse anger and frustration after scandalous gossip, the importance of positive self-talk and more.

Brief stories highlighting pivotal moments in their own lives are also used effectively to convey key points. One memorable tale focuses on dealing with nervousness on a horse, which resists jumping because of the rider’s uneasiness. Another incorporates a story and quote from Eleanor Roosevelt emphasizing that “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Exercises at the end of each chapter provide a direct way to apply and reinforce information learned. Some of them incorporate specific techniques including writing away stress, getting faster with focus and anticipating interview questions. With ample space to record responses, this instructive book also functions as a practical hands-on tool. The use of colorful graphics, bold and enlarged type to highlight key points as well as playful elements help maintain interest, vary the presentation and draw readers forward. A blue comment bubble focuses on a lesson from the twins’ best friend: “Be prepared so you won’t be scared” before leading into an expanded discussion of learning to speak confidently. Images of bees keep points about the value of a good work ethic buzzing.

References to several other inspirational titles with astute observations expand the value of this book. For those interested in exploring further reading on related subjects, details are provided in a bibliography with complete citations. Every parent who wants to give their children lifelong skills for coping effectively with a full range of issues and feelings will consider NINE WAYS TO EMPOWER TWEENS #LIFESKILLS by Kathleen Boucher an absolute must-read.

Engagingly written and well-designed, NINE WAYS TO EMPOWER TWEENS #LIFESKILLS by Kathleen Boucher should be required reading for teenagers and even older readers interested in building personal strength, developing a positive mind-set and achieving goals throughout their lives.

~Andrea Karen Hammer for IndieReader