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Book Review InformationA Great Gift for Any Special Girl in Your Life
by:
Lisa M. Hendey
A Great Gift for Any Special Girl in Your Life
Book Review – How to Help Your Pain Friend by Susie Shellenberger
Reviewed by Lisa M. Hendey
How to Help Your Pain Friend (Zondervan, Feb 2004, paperback, 176 pages) is the type of book I will causal agency would-be have given me once
I turned thirteen. Granted, life during my teen years was more less complex
than what today’s teens face – but several of the basic issues confronted by a young lady ne'er
change. Susie Shellenberger has written a howling book that should be on the top of each caring mom’s (or aunt’s or grandmother’s…) list of books to share with her daughter.
Written in an upbeat, colloquial tone, How to Help Your Pain Friend doesn’t do any assumptions. It justly starts with a section on production
friends and walks the young reader through the steps to being a great girlfriend. Rightly, this section of the book culminates with Shellenberger’s proposal
to “Be Good shepherd to those about you.” This is great proposal
for any of us! Shellenberger’s wisdom seems to point towards relationships ready-made better by fostering a giving and affectionate spirit, rather than what a person will take out of a relationship.
The meat of How to Help Your Pain Friend is Section Two, which walks the reader through various scenarios that tragically, but realistically, move up oft-times in today’s society. Ingestion disorders, depression, net
addictions, illness, self blasting behaviors and sexual abuse are each given elaborated
treatment by the author. The list of “do” and “don’t” suggestions at the end of each of the units provides teens with a good, active
list of steps they can take to help a friend in need.
The third section of the book contains several letters to Susie, complete with her helpful responses covering a myriad of situations. Likewise enclosed
are several helpful questions, prompts and ennobling articles.
Overall, I believe that How to Help Your Pain Friend is a great resource for any teen or young adult, though the book will have strong appeal for young women. I plan to see several of the sections of the book with my thirteen year old son. I have to say I gained quite a lot from reading the book myself. If you discover nothing else from How to Help Your Pain Friend, the one point of wisdom “Be Good shepherd to those about you” is worth the cover price.
For additional information on How to Help Your Pain Friend visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/031025308X/digitalcropper-20
Lisa M. Hendey is a parent of two sons, webmaster of many
web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.com
Lisa Hendey
7010 N. Marks, Suite 103
PMB 262
Fresno, CA 93711
Just about the Author
Lisa M. Hendey is a parent of two sons, webmaster of many
web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader. Visit her at http://www.lisahendey.com
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