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Book Review of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II
reviewed on + 331 more book reviews


According to the introduction, overwhelming requests from readers of previous Chicken Soup editions and voluminous submissions of other teens' personal stories inspired this newest offering. No doubt, the series' New York Times best seller status and impressive library circulation were added incentives. Like many inspirational books from multiple (mostly non-professional) writers, Soul II's selections vary in quality. Some stories in each of the eight thematically organized sections are truly poignant and masterfully written. Others, though sincere, seem trite and melodramatic. Yet even the essays likely to make adult readers cringe share youthful insights that will resonate with truth for many teens. More important, in every case the editors remain true to their promise to take the teen reader on "a journey of becoming your best self." Besides the brief essays that make up the bulk of the text, poems, cartoons, and quotations add variety to the reading.