Communication Skills for Teens

February 15, 2016

Parents have long lamented how difficult it can be to communicate with their teenager, but consider that teens, too, struggle with communication, and not just with Mom and Dad. With social media now the primary means for connecting with one's peers, face-to-face conversation skills are becoming less used and thus less refined among digital natives. As a result, many young adults feel insecure in their ability to engage and exchange ideas and are often flummoxed by messages they did not mean to send. Therapist Skeen, professor Matthew McKay, mental health writer Patrick Fanning, and college student Kelly Skeen offer older teens a targeted version of their everyday text messages, which covers such skills as assertiveness, active listening, and compassion. VERDICT Kelly Skeen plays a prominent role in this title, providing an inside look into where and why, when it comes to conversing, young people encounter difficulty. Recommended for high schoolers through adult.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-A communications toolkit for teens, most of whom have grown up with technology and may be in need of some life lessons on the importance of face-to-face communication. Interspersed throughout are helpful tips and stories from Kelly Skeen, the teenage daughter of author Michelle Skeen. The writers lay out simple steps, highlighting the significance of listening to others, learning to express thoughts and feelings clearly, and understanding others' perspectives. The second half features tips for effectively communicating in different circumstances, such as academic, career, and sexual situations. Like other titles in this series, the book provides easy-to-follow exercises and will be most useful to those relying on it as a how-to manual. VERDICT A valuable option for improving communication skills, especially as a reference for counselors or teachers.-Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.