I have a request for a teen girl in foster care that needs to read uplifting and life changing books. Suggestions please.
I have a request for a teen girl in foster care that needs to read uplifting and life changing books. Suggestions please.
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Anne of green gables. Such good wholesome happy books
Thanks. But I am looking for a more contemporary and relevant book for her.
Maybe not contemporary, but arguably relevant. I re-read several as a teenager/early 20s and connected with the books and I still love them to this day!
@Melinda I am re reading them now ? love them
“The War That Saved My Life”
Is she religious or spiritual? I liked Led by Faith and Left to Tell. On the Rwandan genocide. The author is very Catholic and religious
Here’s a list of great book recommendations from Seventeen Magazine: https://www.seventeen.com/life/a29176/17-books-every-girl-should-read-before-shes-17/
Great Gals by Summer Pierre.
The dream giver. Bruce Wilkinson. It was gifted to me by my mentor. A simple fable about journey using word play lightly.
This is a light book. Not heavy or preachy or would bring up issues. A tale about nobody and everybody and somebody and somewhere and nowhere. A cute, but spiritual fable.
And Dietland.
I would give this a try. It’s YA authors writing letters to their teen selves. Many popular authors are included and many topics are covered.
What about the chicken soup for the soul books? I remember reading those back in the day and i loved them
I really loved these
Don’t remember much about it but pinballs was a ya book I read in school about kids in foster care.
I’m a Foster parent and two books come to mind, Three Little Words and A Child Called It. In both books the children suffered abuse and horrible situations but they rose above.
@Raelynne I wondered about A Child Called It. He does overcome but it is such a traumatic read.
It could be triggering, for sure it depends on what the child has gone through. Really both books could be but if the child can get through them they are really quite uplifting.
Thank you
Agree. I was trying to recommend things that wouldn’t be triggering. A child called it I personally think is too much.
Not A Child Called It. The girl has already faced enough trauma in her own life.
I mentioned that book because it was like changing for my 17 year old foster daughter. It just depends on what the child has gone through personally.
I am sure it does depend on the kid.
@Raelynne I agree completely. It would be very specific to the child. In some ways it could show them that there are worse situations out there and if their situation was similar it would be very empowering to read of someone ver coming it. Such a sensitive subject.
What is her age? Are we talking fiction or non-fiction? Tim Tebow has an autobiography out that is called Shaken and it has a teen version. This man is such an amazing person that I think any of us would be uplifted reading his story.
The Glass Castle or Education would hold her interest and are ultimately uplifting. I would have been glued to the pages as a teen and, comparatively, maybe my life wouldn’t seem as bad as I thought it was.
@Karen Glass Castle is great.
When the War Began. Strong female lead.
Caitlin Moran how to build a girl
Ooo yes!! And the sequel that’s just out ?
Ahhhhhh! I’m writing too much but I can’t help it. I think Soul Surfer would be a good one and I would recommend it to my teen granddaughter. Traumatic? Yes, but not as explicit as some.
I didn’t read that, but it’s tragedy is a shark, so I think it might be a safe inspirational story.
Not sure if maybe The boy called It by Dave Pelzer could apply. It’s intense, jut gives perspective and hope for the future.
Also little women. You said you wanted more contemporary, but this was a classic fave and touches on young women and coming of age. It taught me about being a lady, charity, strength, loss, gratefulness, sisterhood and so much more. It is probably the most impactful book of my life.
Buy her some romantic books
??? Because getting a mate to solve your issues is healthy????
No ,let her enjoy what she could at this circumstance. Simultaneously with other help she should be able to face the world
I also like to read biographies. Perhaps inspirational women she relates to… does she Like music or tennis or celebs, etc. also traditional and historic women heroes. There used to be short bios for young adult, maybe grab a handful or find that section in library and let her pick. Or I also had a compilation of 100 wonderful women of history you don’t know about…. she could flip and read excerpts about women throughout time that changed the world.
I personally find Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton inspiring. Loretta Lynn is more progressive to study, while Dolly Parton is more upbeat and spiritual.
The Canning Season is lifechanging, and my all time fav; I’m not sure about uplifting though ?
The book of joy ?
dastar nama of khushal khan khattak written in english
Thank you for some great ideas.
welcome http://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/398/1/282S.pdf\
http://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/398/1/282S.pdf this is the link of book the concept of bravery
Hunger Games. Might give her some strange ideas, though. Otherwise, read Jack London’s “White Fang”.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. The second book, The Sun and Her Flowers is also wonderful
Actually idk that has some mature themes in it
I mean….it just depends on maturity level in general I think
I wish I had read Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching novels when I was younger. They may not be clearly uplifting but they are empowering.
The language of Flowers, half the Sky
❤️The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Definitely this!!!
Hook her up with someone who understands the Bible and can read it with her. Tell her about ABIGAIL, HADASSAH, RAHAB, LEAHA
I don’t have specific titles in mind, but let her know she might consider reading some poetry and art related books too! There is no limit to where you may find companionship in bound pages. Poetry written by other youth may be really empowering for her. For that, one suggestion I have is the 826 publications (it’s a writing workshop for inner city youth of all backgrounds).
Poetry reminded me of jewel. She wrote poetry and I’m sure a few other books or bios. She lived in her van for a time and was raised by her father with an absentee mom. A very uplifting persona. She did a ted talk I believe as well. I saw her do a story telling lecture with Brene brown. Didn’t know who Brene brown was. Lol. Went for jewel.
I am a music person. Making her or helping her make a playlist is also a good tool. I also wrote poetry as a young person. Also perhaps some restorative yoga and meditations. Just introducing her to “fun” yet healing experiences she most likely hasn’t been introduced to.
I like your thinking on uplifting and inspiring and not on relatable, aka triggering, stories of abuse. She most likely needs a respite from trauma. She has many years ahead to self analyze. Finding a place to rest, inhale and normalize would be healing imo.
@Shasta Agreed. Finding materials on things she enjoys, or doesn’t even know she might love, could really open new paths.
@Shasta I loved Jewels poetry book
Gulliver’s Travels
I am Malala – Malala Yousafzai
I’ll Give You the Sun – Jandy Nelson
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens – Sean Covey
Speak- Laurie Halse Anderson
The Beginning of Everything- Robyn Schneider
Stargirl- Jerry Spinelli
Wonder by R.J. Palacio. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas maybe not necessarily uplifting but empowering for sure.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Without a doubt, she needs this book.
Dumplin
Ann of Green Gables
Ruby Red, the Ruby Red Trilogy by Anthea Bell (time travel, mystery)
Any Sophie Kinsella, like Shopaholic series
Any Molly Harper
Carry on warrior
Because of Winn Dixie
Rainbow Rowell books! Especially Fangirl, but also Eleanor and Park or any other.
Soul surfer.
Wonder
Yes
Finding Fish by antwone fisher. Memoir by a former foster child. My favorite book.
Tuesdays With Morrie by MItch Albom, Out of My Mind by Sharon @Draper.
The Help!!!
LOVE WALKED IN by Marisa de los Santos. ??
Educated
@Janet I second that
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
I Am Malala
The Hate U Give – not really uplifting but a must read
Color me series by Melody Carlson
The four agreements
Congratulations, by the Way, by George Saunders. Excellent book!
The Luster of Lost Things by Sophie Chen Keller. Truly wonderful for my teenagers and preteen grandchildren. All five of them.
Secret Life of Bees
The giver
Also a wrinkle in time may be good too
Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer (six books; read them in order)
Uprooted by Naomi Novack
The Little Princess by frances hodsten
Mr. God this is Anna. Brilliant
We all read this in Jr. High. My all time favorite book. I almost named my son Finn.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
I don’t know if she would like autobiographies but I really liked Tina Fey’s and Amy Poehler’s books. Just cool to see where they started and where they are now.
Ruta Sepetys: Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea
Ok this is long but…. She Comes Undone by Wally Lamb. I read it as a teen and it really moved me. If she hasn’t read the Harry Potter Series I would definitely recommend it. It’s very engaging and relevant especially if you are also a teenager when reading it for the first time. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls is fantastic for a memoir. Clan of the Cave Bear is also fantastic reading. All of these books are uplifting and relatable without causing triggers. They are especially engaging to someone who feels alone, traumatized, or abandoned. They allowed me to dive into another world, into another person and walk out feeling like if they can make it so can I.
Also, I know you said you wanted something modern but I think there’s something to be said about the classics. The reason they are studied in Literature classes 200 years later is because the trials, experiences, narrative is all so relevant to young women today. I would recommend Little Women as well. It is such a moving story and especially powerful when read as a young woman. Whatever she’s been through, she will find at least one March sister to relate to ♥️
Yes to all you suggested!
“Educated.”
Tough As Nails: One Woman’s Journey Through West Point by Gail O’Sullivan Dwyer…A town Like Alice by Nevil Shute…Heart in the Right Place: A Memoir by Carolyn Jourdan…Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder …When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S Kushner…An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything by Chris Hadfield…Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas …A Beginner’s Guide to Acting English by Shappi Khorsandi…
Anything by Sark
If she like fantasy try Eragon. A boy is on his own with his adopted dragon to take on battles and wins.
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson
Anne of Green Gables
The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey is perfect. Interviews with people who have been through hell and built lives of happiness and success. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34930835-the-wisdom-of-sundays?ac=1&from_search=true
This sounds great.
Wow I am overwhelmed by your responses. Thank you so much for your great responses.
Hi Terri, my friend is a social worker who’s done a lot of work for children in care and foster care. I’ll try and remember to ask if she has recommendations too.
I loved Nancy Drew mysteries
Hope by Amanda Berry and the other girls kidnapped and held captive in Cleveland is an amazing story of perseverance. Sadly, for at least one of the girls, life before the kidnapping was a terror as well. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23399022-hope?from_search=true
@Evan
The war that saved my life
Code Name Verity. Saint Anything. I am a high school English teacher, and these are both great reads with some hope and strength.
Now That You Mention It by Kristin Higgins
I absolutely loved this one!
@Krissy me too!! ❤
To Catch A Mockingbird
The happiness project by Gretchen Rubin.
Mister God, This Is Anna: The True Story of a Very Special Friendship by Fynn.
This is not Christian dogma, rather an uplifting story of incredible friendship. Spiritual if anything. I loved it and recommend it when I can.
This was a great follow up to the first book. She was such a precious child.
Touching Spirit Bear. It has a male main character, but it is about changing your life, the way you think, and the way you treat others.
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
The sisterhood of the traveling pants
Harry Potter
Jean Christophe by Romain Rolland
So Terri @Teri. Which ones are you considering?
I thought I would go to the library or book store and peruse. The suggestions were so good. She has read Harry. Anne is good but doesn’t fill the ticket. She is in a low unmotivated spot in her life and needs a reason to get going and change her life.
If you can find it, I recommend Sati by Christopher Pike
Harry Potter.