Patricia Wooster is a published author and fact-checker. She has written several nonfiction children's books and was nominated for Science Books & Film Best Children's Books of 2011. She lives in Tampa with her husband, Scot, and two boys, Max and Jack.
"The principles laid out in Ignite Your Spark will help teens
discover their unique path and grow into adults of character,
confidence, and substance."--Josh Shipp "founder of Kids These Days
and author of The Teen's Guide to World Domination"
"Wouldn't it be great if you woke up every morning excited and
energized because your days were filled with a purpose?" That's the
question Wooster (So, You Want to Be a Leader?) poses at the outset
of this wide-ranging guide that aims to encourage teens to
cultivate their passions. Chapters devoted to friendships,
relationships, habits, failures, and other topics include a mix of
reader-directed quizzes, scenarios featuring fictional teens, and
interviews with a real-life adult and teen "illuminators" including
author Beth Reekles, filmmaker Lee Hirsch, and a variety of young
entrepreneurs. Throughout, Wooster offers a mix of aphoristic
suggestions for how readers can stay on track ("Leave your comfort
zone behind") and concrete goals and actions they can take to
foster their interests and skills. Ages 12-up. --Publishers Weekly
"January 2, 2017"
For students trying to figure out school, life, and the meaning of
everything, Patricia Wooster's new book may be the answer. By
following one or more of the ten suggestions Wooster offers for
"igniting" different aspects of life, including relationships,
dreams, and failures, teens can begin to take charge of their own
life and move it in a positive direction. Along the way they
receive helpful hints about spark igniters--things to keep life
positive--and spark extinguishers--ways of thinking that will
quickly dampen enthusiasm for life. Readers will also find useful
quizzes to help them pinpoint where they are in relationship to the
topic. What sets this book apart is that the author intentionally
designed the book to be revisited over and over again. The
suggestion is to focus on one or two sparks, implement them, and
then come back for more. Also included are bullying resources,
college resources, and just-for-fun resources. This book could be a
teen's constant companion during the high school years. Additional
Resources. Websites. Recommended--School Library Connection
"May/June 2017"
Inside every young person there is an inner spark that sets him or
her apart from the world. There is no need to find a niche in a
clique; the most important thing is to embrace the ability to stand
out. Wooster's book intends to help adolescents discover their true
identities. Throughout the text, she has rocket and fire
extinguisher icons that stand for things that can ignite an inner
spark and things that can put it out. She begins with a brief
retelling of her life story and explains how she finally realized
her identity and discovered her purpose. Her purpose aligns every
area of her life. Each chapter focuses on different levels of
self-image. What makes this book stand out is Wooster's interviews
with a diverse group of people from different walks of life. The
interview questions relate to the topic and add to the book's
cohesiveness and overall appeal. Quizzes in the chapters give
readers an opportunity to self-assess, while the sidebars draw out
important concepts. In addition to a table of contents, the book
also contains a list of websites that provide further reading about
the topics covered. This is an excellent resource that will help
adolescents navigate the tumultuous journey to finding
themselves.--Anjeanette Alexander-Smith. --VOYA "February 2017"
The teen years are often perceived as an angst-ridden and turbulent
period of human development, but Wooster asserts that adolescence
can also be a time of empowerment and self-discovery. The book
centers on the idea of a "spark," which represents the things that
every individual finds inspiring. Common thoughts and behaviors are
divided squarely into two camps: those that fan the flames of
success and those that extinguish them. Elaborations on the major
aspects of the teen years are all included--romantic and platonic
relationships, self-image, schoolwork, goal setting, and careers.
Interviews with real people and quizzes of self-discovery guide
Wooster's narrative. Readers are challenged not only to change
their outlook and think more positively but also to create
practical action plans for personal success, with relatable
examples and suggestions. The central idea is that young people
don't have to wait for adulthood to find the things that encourage
and inspire them.
-- Erin Anderson--Booklist "November 1, 2016"
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
