Ignite Your Spark

January 2, 2017
“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.

November 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Adolescence is often rife with sticky relationships, worries about the future, and general confusion. Wooster attempts to alleviate some of that turmoil in this work that encourages teenagers to think about how their present interests and talents can inspire a life filled with meaningful pursuits. Using a familiar structure, each chapter discusses how teens might revitalize their relationships, activities, dreams, failures, and more. First, a scenario introduces the topic, followed by a general discussion. Next, a short quiz offers readers the chance to assess where they might stand regarding the quality of their relationships or attitudes toward school. Included are interviews with "Illuminators" (some are well-known figures, while others are professional experts or teens themselves) who discovered their passions and went on to notable success. The author continues with helpful advice on changing negative or problematic situations. While the book can be read cover to cover, it might be more appreciated by teens concerned with a particular issue addressed in the relevant chapters. Otherwise the material can become repetitive and formulaic. VERDICT Librarians who need to spruce up their teen bibliotherapy sections with newer, updated titles might find this a worthy addition to their collections.-Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State University, NH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2016
Grades 6-9 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 includedromantic 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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)