Book Description

A fifteen-year-old boy is walking through a swirling fog on his way to school when a voice calls out, "Come here. We need to talk." Out of the mist emerges an old man with a white beard. He is a fantastic figure, as wizardly as Merlin, as wise as Socrates, as peaceful as Buddha. Whoever he is, the old man has appeared on that very day to change the boy's life.

"You are old enough to learn about things," he says mysteriously. "And who is going to teach you but me?"

The old man gives the boy four days of "soul training," a time of riddles, tricks, parables, and fantastic twists that bring out surprising answers to each of four burning questions about spirituality:

Do I have a soul?
How do wishes come true?
What is the supreme force in the universe?
How can I change the world?

The boy was Deepak Chopra, who grew up to become an acclaimed writer and teacher about the same invisible things that the old man had taught him. Fire in the Heart is Dr. Chopra's first book for young adults. Its aim is to pass on this soul training to young readers.

"The old man with the white beard showed me the spiritual side of life," writes the author, "where real passion and excitement come from. So before you begin, take a deep breath. This story could turn out to be yours."

"[Spirit is] everywhere, making sure that everything is connected. The light from a star billions of light years away is the same light that makes plants grow here on earth. The plants give food; the food has allowed you to develop in your mother's womb; and today you look at that star with the eyes that the stars gave you. There's the cosmic connection."

-- from Fire in the Heart ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A treasure!
Deepak Chopra's new book for teens is filled with wonderful stories, beautifully told! It conveys profound spiritual teachings that resonate with wisdom and truth. I bought several copies - one for each of the teens in my life! Thanks, Deepak; this is just what the world needs right now! ... Read more

Book Description

Etan Boritzer's best selling non-religious, non-denominational book, now in its 13th printing, talks about the diversity in all the great beleifs and the way in which we are all connected. With spunky illustrations by Robbie Marantz, this book has delighted children and adults since 1989 because of its ecumenical approach to this greatest of children's (and adult's) mysteries! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Mysticism for kids!
This amazing little book puts the highest spiritual realization of nondual Enlightenment in language and illustrations that almost any child can appreciate and understand. Mysticism is based on the direct spiritual experience that God is Spirit (or Consciousness, or Being, or Love) and that Spirit is infinite and eternal. This realization, as scholars such as Huston Smith, Lex Hixon, and Ken Wilber have shown, forms the foundation of every major world religion (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Taoism) and can be attained directly by anyone willing to devote the time and energy required to practice a method of meditation or spiritual contemplation. As a cute yet profound acknowledgement of this, Boritzer ends this book with a meditation experiment that children (and adults!) can perform to get a quick taste of the ever-present nature of God for themselves.

Contrary to mistaken perceptions, this book does not espouse the philosophy known as "pantheism," which maintains that God is nothing but the universe. First of all, what this book aims at is a direct experiential realization, not a philosophy. Second, it is true that the universe is nothing but God, as the book explains, but God is _not_ nothing but the universe. The twentieth century theologian and mystic A. W. Tozer explained this as follows: "God dwells in His creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all His works. This is boldly taught by prophet and apostle and is accepted by Christian theology generally. . . . He is transcendent above all His works even while He is immanent within them. . . . God is here. No point is nearer to God than any other point. It is exactly as near to God from any place as it is from any other place. No one is in mere distance any further from or any nearer to God than any other person is." And as the 16th-century Jewish mystic Moses Cordovero said, "God is all that exists, but not all that exists is God."

Basically, what that says is that if God really is infinite, then he cannot be opposed to, or separate from, anything that is finite (like you and I), or else he would just be one thing among other things, and that would make him distinctly finite. Some theologians argue that God is infinite, but he "chooses" to remain separate from human beings; however, that nonetheless makes him finite (a self-imposed limitation is still a limitation) and, in fact, bears no relation to the truth as mystics from Jesus to Buddha have explained it. Jesus of Nazareth, in saying 77 from the Gospel of Thomas (which dates from the same period as the four gospels that were canonized into the Bible), says: "I am the Light that is over all things. I am all: all came forth from me, and all attained to me. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Pick up a stone, and you will find me there." Some scholars have mistaken this for pantheism, which it clearly is not. God is the Light (Spirit) that is over (transcends) all things. All things come forth from God, and all things return to God (which means that God isn't simply the totality of "all things," as pantheism says, but also the Source of all things). Split a piece of wood, and God is there (which means that God is not separate from the world, put permeates it to such a degree that, indeed, the world is ultimately "made of" nothing but God). Thus, nondual mysticism maintains that God is simultaneously the Source _and_ Substance of all that is--which means God really is Infinite in the fullest sense of the word. This "All is God; all is One; all is Spirit" understanding is the most sacred spiritual Truth there is, and anyone who objects to it clearly does not comprehend it (and that's perfectly all right: "Let those with ears listen").

For practitioners of mysticism who have children, intend to have children, or have younger siblings who don't quite understand what your practice is all about, this book explains the fundamental unity of all advanced religions, the shallowness of the fundamentalist conception of God, and the fact that God is Love and Love is Everything more simply and lucidly than any book around. It's a perfect gem, and it would be criminal not to share these truths with those young souls whose minds have not yet been locked into the narrow blindness of the average adult ego.

Wonderful, simple and heart warming!
"What Is God?" is appropriate for both children and adults. Because of it's clarity and clear message, I use it in my work with young children and sometimes recommend it for adults who are searching for answers themselves. I used excerpts from the book for a reading at my wedding this fall and it touched everyone, regardless of their religion! They all connected with Boritzer's simple logic and examples of how most major religions all really teach the same things. Buy it for all the adults and children you know who have ever wondered, "What Is God?"

sad
I picked up this book while browsing in a book store. When I read it, it made me sad. Instead of giving children satisfaction, it will leave a hole in their hearts. If you want your child to learn about God, try Because I Love You by Max Lucado. I am a teenager, but I love this children's book. It depicts God beautifully through the story and has gorgeous illustrations too.

G-d for the Thoughtful Child
My spouse and I are from two different religions; and while we have decided to raise our kids from my religion, we both wish our children to be open-minded. I don't claim to be a philosopher, nor do I play one on TV. I also don't claim that this book definitely goes into depth as to why some people take religions and use them for malevolent purposes. But I DO think that this book is a great starting point for mature kids of 5 and older to discuss the burning question about G-d and how people all over the world view G-d. G-d's role in different religions, and how people are sometimes not allowed to worship G-d for political reasons - this book runs the gamut. The first time I read it, it actually made me cry.

Put yourself in the shoes of the child that is consuming this book, not in your own, adult shoes, which are more mature and understand that there are many shades of grey surrounding the issue of religion. When you look at this book from a thoughtful child's perspective, it truly works. And that is the level that matters.

Strong concept, poor execution
As a Unitarian Universalist parent, I bought this for my kids (8 and 5). Not a good choice. There are way too many words considering the abstract nature of the book and lack of story line. The oversimplifications, particularly of Buddhism, offended me. The author seems quite taken with his own cleverness, and the humility one might expect from a mystical, all-religions-point-toward-God attitude is missing. The part about religious persecution is completely lost on my kids. Maybe other kids, who ask "What is God" type questions, will get something out of it, though I would caution parents to have their answers thought through and not rely on this book to do it. ... Read more

Book Description

Now more than ever, parents are told how important it is to talk meaningfully to their kids. This is the book that makes it happen. A revised and expanded second edition, The Kids' Book of Questions, with 634,000 copies in print, makes it easy to ask hard questions and fun to answer them. Questions to challenge, questions to provoke. Questions to entertain and expand young minds. Questions about right or wrong, about fears and hopes, ethics, religious beliefs, about why parents act the way they do--even about ruling the world.

Updated to include questions on subjects that have arisen since the book's original publication in 1988--from the internet to issues like school violence and terrorism--the book is a sure way to prod young people into discovering who they really are and what they really believe. There are inquiries into values: "If you knew you wouldn't get caught, would you cheat on a test by copying someone else's answers?" Intriguing fantasies: "If you could email any famous person and know they'd read and answer your note, who would you write to and what would you say?" Philosophical queries: "Have you had any personal experiences that lead you to believe in God?" Provocative scenarios: "After being given a truth pill, what would you say if you were asked to describe your family?"

Kids, and parents, will be amazed to find how far one little question will lead. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

perspectives through kids answers
I've used this book with my own kids, and I've used it in my classroom. It was enjoyed by so many students that I hate to say it, but one student walked off with it at the end of the year. I work in a school where a lot of the kids are at risk, and this book was wonderful as a tool to help them examin their attitudes, their fears, and their feelings about things. It takes a little time to look through and evaluate what would be good for your classroom. That's a subjective thing anyway, and you have to know your students, but over all, I find this book to be worthwhile and fun at the same time.

This Book Facilitates Some Great Conversations!
I use this book in my child/family therapy sessions and and found it to be a GREAT tool to develop rapport and break the ice. We pass it around in a circle and the kids seems to get a great kick out of asking parents questions.

When therapy sessions are slow we will sometimes pick out a question from the book to generate a discussion. The fact that it is something in written form just for kids seems to appeal to the kids. I have purchased many copies--I often give mine away to the families who really fall in love with the book. I only wish there was another edition to have more questions to access. :)

Much more appropriate for class than its predecessor
I use this in my public speaking class to start discussion groups.

It's pretty good, and far more appropriate for my students than "The Book of Questions." Some questions are ba bit elementary for my high schoolers, but that's okay.

Nonstop fun for kids and their parents!
We took this book on a long car trip two years ago when my kids were 10 and 12. We spent hours talking and laughing about the questions and our answers. The book asks many humorous questions such as "If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?", or "What was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you? Are you embarrassed now by the same things that used to embarrass you?". But mostly, the book asks insightful and thought-provoking questions such as, "What are you most proud of having done? What would make you even more proud?", or "Some adults have a lot of trouble enjoying themselves. If you were asked to give them some advice about how to play and have more fun, what would you say?", or "Do you think boys or girls have it easier?". This book has been in our car for 2 years. The kids still pick it up frequently to ask questions to their carpool on the way to school, or to ask questions to their friends on the way to sports practices. And they especially love to hear their parents' answers!

Great Teacher Resource
This book is a wonderful resource for classroom teachers. It prompts real non-biased conversations about choices, ethics, and problem solving surrounding issues such as popularity, telling the truth, money, sports, and much more. When there is time to fill, we pull out a Kids' Question. (Of course, the questions must be preapproved by the teacher due to the sensitivity of certain topics and content.) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Book
This book is a favorite in my classroom. The children enjoy the content as well as the illustrations. Last year I tied this book into the theme of my classroom, which was: "Philosophy - Love of Wisdom."

a remarkable book
This book is for anyone who likes to ask questions, questions, questions and more questions. It taps into the childlike love of questioning that we are all born with but that so many of us lose (or lose touch with) as we get older and have answers crammed down us. [Some adults have] lost the ability to understand what it's like to cultivate your sense of wonder. But children (and all those adults who still love to question and explore) will take to this book quickly and cherish it.

Profound thoughts for young minds
I am eager to try this book with some of my classes, but I haven't used it yet. I like the format - first he takes you through a discussion of a particular question and then he asks a lot of related questions. I have been looking for a book that would help children explore significant questions about their world. This may help. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This Book Is Not True.
This book is about a theory which has never been proven right. The earth never originated in the big bang, (which was a big dud, it never happened) And species have never evolved. By the way a dog has never produced a non-dog. I would strongly advise against this book, it is dangerous and not true and never was true.

FABULOUS book!!
FABULOUS book introducing the evolution of the earth and all its life forms! Perfect for children pre-k through all of the elementary school years (and parents too!). This book mentions Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands, survival of the fittest, variation and mutation, extinction, and more. Nice pictures. Highly recommended for homeschoolers.

A wonderful introduction to evolution for the young!
I read this book to my third grade son and it has been such a huge help. He has been asking a lot of questions about evolution and I was having a hard time explaining it to him on his level. This book introduces the idea of the wide variety of species living on this planet; theories on how life first formed; and walks the reader through the fossil record of our planet. It does all of this simply and with the format of a child's picture book. The illustrations are beautiful and captivating but remarkable simple. Perfect for 7 to 10 year olds. ... Read more

Book Description

Born in China in 551 B.C., Confucius rose from poverty to the heights of his country's ruling class.But then he quit his high post for the life of an itinerant philosopher."The Analects" collects his teachings on education and government, the definition of nobility, the equality of man,and the right way and purpose of living - ideas that eventually spread to the West and influenced the great thinkers of the Enlightenment. And five centuries before Christ, Confucius set forth his own Golden Rule: "Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Confucius: The Golden Rule
Confucius was a minor government official who desperately wanted to change the government of China. But because of his radical ideas, he was never given the opportunity. He became a scholar who taught his pupils to think. Many years after his death, his ideas were written down and have survived for thousands of years. Tidbits of Confucius's wisdom have even made their way into American fortune cookies. Because little is known of the fifth century B.C. scholar, Freedman makes an effort to establish what information is believed to be fact and what is more likely legend.

The book's beautiful antiquated illustrations complement the text. They are as mysterious as the life of Confucius. I especially like the little details in this book: the quotes from the Analects on the endpapers, the author's note detailing his observations of the celebration in China held for Confucius each year, and the annotated bibliography.

The Life and Times of Confucius.....
"More than 2,500 years have passed since Confucius walked the dusty country roads of China, chatting with his disciples, yet his voice still rings clear and true down through the centuries. Those who knew him never forgot him. Those who came after handed down his sayings from one generation to the next, right up to our own time..." So begins Russell Freedman's brilliant and engaging biography of Confucius, a minor government official who desperately wanted to be a political force in ancient China. "Though he offered many bold ideas for reform, his advice was ignored by the rulers of the day. For this reason, he spent much of his time teaching and discussing his ideas with his students." His simple, yet profound thoughts about government, education, and religion were shared with his followers through conversations and dialogues, and finally written down, many years after his death, in a book that has come to be known as the Analects. "This slim volume is the one source where we can most clearly hear the unique voice of the real, living Confucius." Mr Freedman's well researched story is written in an easy to read, conversational style and filled with history, mystery, intriguing biographical details, quotes from the Analect, and fascinating fun facts. Frederic Clement's elegant and evocative Chinese-style illustrations look ancient and authentic, and are rich in emotion, color, and detail. Together word and art bring the great philospher and his times to life on the page. With an enlightening Author's Note, and informative sources and suggestions for further reading included at the end, Confucius: The Golden Rule is an entertaining and inspiring introductory biography that is sure to whet the appetite of kids 10 and older, and send them out looking for more. "And so, after twenty-five centuries, the pros and cons of what Confucius said or didn't say are still being debated. The reason isn't hard to find. He trusted people to think for themselves. He was always ready to offer suggestions, but he insisted that each of us must find answers for ourselves. And he admitted that he himself did not know the truth, only a way to look for it..." ... Read more

Book Description

Meet Albert, a little boy with big ideas and even bigger questions, such as, "if I am in my house, and my house is in the street, near the park, in the town..."What is the answer?The first in a three-book philosophy series, "Albert" is a disarmingly witty yet simple story that introduces the concept of infinity to young readers. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Book!
Philosophy Rocks is the book that got me intrested in philosophy. I like the things Stephen Law talks about and brings up. The only problem is he never gives a personal opinion on the subject.

entertaining and educational
This really is a remarkable book. There's absolutely nothing else like it. I bought it for my fourteen year old son and ended up reading it myself. We both love it. I'm a philosophy graduate and am astonished at how easily Law gets the big ideas across. Martians and monsters, wacky thought experiments, lots of different characters. If you want your kids to learn how to think for themselves, this is the book.

Not all it's cracked up to be?
I purchased this book largely on the strength of its excellent recommendations here and was disappointed. Perhaps this is because my expectations exceeded, although I feel confident saying the writing could have been much better written, especially for length. Having just merely one philosophy course to my credit, I'm no expert, but I do recognize in Law's prose the style of the philosopher, one that unfortunately can seem imprecise or repetitive to the rest of us. However, as an editor I had the continual impulse to reach for my correction pen to trim the tiring redundancies that detract from reaching the interesting concepts addressed.

I think I'd like to find a volume aimed at children discussing more contemporary social issues the book lacks connection to (aside from the chapter on vegetarianism that is right on the money) perhaps framed in the philosophies of Locke, Mill, Kant, etc. -- concrete starting points for a child naturally interested in the age-old child's question of what's "fairn" and developinga take on fairness in their own words. Parenthetically, I was amused that the illustrations were done by another person, presumably an artist. They are styled like napkin doodles, which is fine, but would have seemed more personal, appropriate, and sincere from the author himself.

I hope to provide a dissenting voice to give the prospective buyer an alternative view, one I wish I'd heard earlier.

Great intro for kids 9 and older...
This is a top-notch philosophy intro book for kids. My 9 year old just loves it. The book introduces children to ethics (via animal rights), philosophy of mind, epistemology, metaphysics ("what is real?"), and other topics covered in academic philosophy. The book uses humor (and humorous sketches) on every page, and lays out the arguments pro and con in a fair way. Highly recommended!

A first rate book
This book explains some to the major philosophical concepts in a way that anyone can understand, without watering down the ideas in any way. That's quite and achievement in itself, but the book is also extremely entertaining, which makes it very readable to both children and adults. ... Read more

Book Description

What is a hero? T. A. Barron, author of the popular Lost Years of Merlin series, tackles this important question in his "hero's guidebook" for young readers.

Using the metaphor of a hike, he discusses the great variety of heroes and brings them to life through their own stories: Some well-known, like Wilma Rudolph, Anne Frank, Stephen Hawking. Yet most are "ordinary kids" who have made amazing choices: saved their siblings from a fire, struggled to stop prejudice at their school, helped raise money to build a well in an African village. This book will be invaluable to kids, parents, and educators who need role models for young people to look up to-and a new way to look at what a hero is.

Complete with photos of many of the young heroes Barron introduces, this timely collection will inspire readers of all ages.

"Here is too much grace to regard closely, to hold tight in mind, heart, and soul, as we keep moving on our own hiking trails through life." (Robert Coles, M.D.) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A "Heroic" guide
"Heroism, then, is about character." Fantasy writer T.A. Barron takes a brief but inspiring look at heroism in "The Hero's Trail: A Guide For a Heroic Life." Don't expect a parade of government leaders and superstars-who-rose-up-from-their-backwater-farm stories. Instead he presents smaller, more intimate stories about real-life people from all cultures and walks of life.

Barron starts off by explaining what he means by heroism and comparing the ideal to hiking. He brings up people who are well known (Pocahontas, the Biblical Esther), legendary figures (Sheherezade, Prometheus), artists like MS sufferer and poet Mattie Stepanek, scientists like Stephen Hawking, and world leaders such as Abraham Lincoln.

And then there are the less obvious ones -- the heroes that are relatively little known. There's Sokhoeun Chhunn, a girl whose response to racist insults was to organize cultural events; Samuel Long, who won at everything he tried despite his deafness; and then-six-year-old Michael Munds, who organized a charity competition for the families of the Oklahoma City Bombing. One of the most touching is Sadako Sasaki, a girl ultimately killed by radiation from WW II, who made cranes for world peace.

Perhaps most likable about "The Hero's Guide" is that Barron really doesn't allow barriers in what he considers "heroism." He devotes page after page to people from different cultures, countries, and many of them are kids, like a young boy who started counselling others to keep them out of gangs. Sometimes their heroism is based on generosity, courage, or their strength of convictions. But it's remarkably insightful.

Barron clearly admires the many heroes he profiles here, but he doesn't gush about them. Instead he presents the facts, what made the person special, and allows the readers to draw their own conclusions. Interspersing the real-life stories are Barron's own anecdotes, and a few final thoughts on what makes a hero.

T.A. Barron proves that he's more than a fiction author in "Hero's Trail: A Guide For a Heroic Life." Genuinely impressive and inspirational.

Hero's Trail
When you think of a hero, someone like King Arthur, Han Solo, or Clint Eastwood comes to mind. Yet, it is more often than not someone who you might not notice who is truly a hero. In this book, the author concisely illustrates from legend and reality the true nature of a hero, defining the qualities of perserverance, kindness, and courage, etc. that set a hero apart from the crowd. While many of the people he uses will be familiar, such as Esther, Princess Leia, Anne Frank, for example, some of the real life heroes are people that have been ignored. He presents role models for not only children, but for all people to strive and emulate in their lives. You never know when you might be called upon to be one, for as one of his examples, Princess Leia said, "They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes."

Encore!
The Hero's Trail, by T.A. Barron, is a book about a series of people who, through strength, morality, and perseverance, manage to become heroes. Primarily dealing with ordinary people who turn into heroes when the time is right, it involves such people as Tiare Marie Wells, who saved the life of a ice fisherman who would've otherwise drowned and Ben MacDonald, who survived in the wild for over two months by living with a female badger. It also deals with people who overcame massive obstacles to do what they loved, such as Stephen Hawking, who overcame ALS to become one of the most renowned scientists in the world. It also details fictional characters such as Peter of Holland, who plugged a dyke with his finger and saved his entire village and Frodo, who risked everything to save his land from Sauron by destroying The One Ring.
If The Hero's Trail has a weakness, it is that it is too short. Barely a hundred pages long, it could easily be finished in a couple of hours. I would've loved to read more about heroes and for it to have involved some of my personal favorites such as Michael Jordan, who was rejected by his basketball team as a weakling. However, this shouldn't prevent you from enjoying this wonderful book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Clear and Distinct Ideas !!!!
Decartes would approve! This book is a wonderful introduction to philosophy for kids and young adults alike. I don't think that it is too much for kids 5-8; our 7 year old reads it and comes to us with new knowlege and questions to accompany. I would recommend it to anyone intersted in inspiring their kids to think about the world around them in new ways and to further their understanding of some of the greatest figures in history.

Clear and simple
I think this might be a little difficult for four-to-eight-year olds, but it does give a clear and simple overview of the ideas of the great philosophers. There were a few typos, and the various type sizes were distracting. Each section begins with a full-page drawing of a particular philosopher and his milieu with callouts. The callouts are the part that might appeal to the four-to-eight-year olds. Many of them are quite silly.

How'd They Do It?
I just wonder what the publisher thought when the idea of an overview of philosophy for young people was first proposed. Luckily, they must not have been paying much attention because this extraordinary book is in print. It's really amazing that they could pull this book off. How do you explain what the great thinkers throughout history have thought to teenagers and younger? Somehow, Jeremy Weate was able to break down philosophies to their most basic forms. Weate was also aided by his sense of humor and by the pictures of Peter Layman which can help keep interest from swaying. This really is a very valuable resource. This book is supposed to be directed toward readers of the ages 4-8, but I think it is better for a little older audience. I was able use it very effectively in some college English courses I took in high school. A Young Person's Guide to Philosophy is really excellent. It is really an interesting read and can be very useful.

Outstanding introduction to great thinkers
This book provides excellent, brief, and simply worded accounts summarizing key arguments of the great philosphers (and some also-rans). Strength: clear but not condescending sketches of some very difficult ideas. Drawback: Personality eccentricities are overemphasized. The recommended age range is misleadingly low: my nine-year-olds who are advanced readers found it challenging but within their grasp; an advanced 8-year-old friend gave it up as too hard; and a 10-year old friend who is a very good reader found it profitable and informative. I'd recommend 9-12 as the age range.

Best childrens' philosophy intro
This is absolutely the best introductory philosophy book forchildren I have ever seen. The philosophers are covered in historicalorder starting with the presocratics and ending with living philosophers. The pictures are stunning in the first half of the book. My 9yo loves it! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Philosophy in the real world
When my 11 year old son brought home his sixrg grade "suggested reading" kust, this book was one of the recommenfations. We could not agree more with that choice after having gone through the creative stories within which the rich ideas of several philosophies have neen woven and clearly explained. This is a book that one comes back to in order to answer everyday questions and solve daily problems. This book should be read by evry 11 year old, as well as by their parents.

New ideas for children
This book fills a void between original children's stories and the ideas that hold them tohethedr. It is a great learning experience for children who, for the most part, have never been exposed to the rich ideas of philsophy and can now relate to these concepts through storoes that they can enjoy reading and retelling.

A disappointment
The font was extremely difficult to read. The topics covered do not adequately represent even the major areas of philosophy. Assuming the reader survives the eye straining font, he or she might walk away with the impression that Socrates' ideas are all about secular humanism and modern liberalism. Included in this book are discussions of Zen Buddhism, being kind to trees, and the hackneyed "diversity is good." ... Read more

Book Description

J. Krishnamurti spoke to young people all over the world and founded schools in California, England, and India. "When one is young," Krishnamurti said, "one must be revolutionary, not merely in revolt...to be psychologically revolutionary means non-acceptance of any pattern." Dale Carlson, an award-winning author, writing most prolifically about the psychological problems facing teens in today's world, edited this magnificent book. Miss Carlson has selected passages from Krishnamurti's work that enable teens to explore some of the most pertinent issues in their lives. Chapter One starts with an inquiry into the mind and the self. The book opens with the following statement by Krishnamurti, "It seems to me that without understanding the way our minds work, one cannot understand and resolve the very complex problems of living."Speaking directly to youth he says, "While one is young is the time to investigate, to experiment with everything." Experiment one can, as one reads through each section of this beautifully laid out book, one encounters insightful works into education, work, relationship, sex, marriage, love, God, meditation and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A deftly presented spiritual as well as practical work
J. Krishnamurti's has been called "One of the greatest thinkers of the age" by the Dalai Lama. Based on Krishnamurti's "Books on Living For Teens" series, What Are You Doing With Your Life? is a philosophical discussion of probing issues and problems directly affecting young people. From the difficulties of relationships; to hard choices about one's education and future work; to find a purpose for one's life, and more, What Are Your Dong With Your Life? is a deftly presented spiritual as well as practical work, a non-denominational treatise which is broad in its intellectual discussion and willingness to raise hard questions. As the chapter on "Truth; God; Death" points out: "What is God? How are you going to find out? Are you going to accept somebody else's information? Or are you going to discover for yourself what God is?" What are You Doing With Your Life? is a very highly recommended addition to school, and community library Philosophy collections for adolescent and young adult readers.

Krishnamurty's teachings condensed
After having studied umpteen books from Krishnamurty, this is the one that seem to contain the nectar of what he undertook to convey. A 'must-have' for the beginners as well as for the already initiated. Organization of the text in sub-headings further adds to the charm and simplicity of the book. For someone yet to get acquainted with Krishnamurty, I recommend the reading of the "Commentaries On Living" series first. That would prepare a fertile foundation for Krishnamurty's teachings to reap in!

An truly accessible introduction to Krishnamurti
I have been reading Krishnamurti for over 35 years. He is the sage to whom I turn when I need a simple, clear, and compelling understanding of reality. I recommend his books to many people, and yet I find that for most readers he is anything but simple, clear, and compelling. They find him hard to understand, and harder to apply to their daily lives.

What Are You Doing With Your Life will change all of that. This is a "threaded" anthology of Krishnamurti's teachings on a variety of vital subjects compiled for teenagers. I bought it to help improve my own ability to mentor teens. What I found was so much more. Here is a clear, concise, and powerful articulation of Krishnamurti's deepest teachings. This is more than an introduction to his thought, this is the essence of his thought.

I highly recommend this book to teens, their parents, and anyone else looking for love and silence at the heart of their everyday lives. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Critical Thinking Works Well.
This book teaches Logic and argumentation in a simple form. It also teaches how to recognize apropaganda and reasoning errors. I have enjoyed learning from this book and I have used it with my children with exelent results. I especially enjoyed the teahcer's manuals which allowed me to help my children learn. If your children are interested in law, this book is a must. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Simply wonderful
Bought it for my grandson and am keeping it and getting another for him. It is simple enough for children and informative enough for anyone with an interest in hands. Very well put together, with lots of information and a positive approach. I recommend it for anyone with any interest in reading hands or learning about yourself.

Great for beginners!
This is the best book for people who no nothing about palmistry! Its a really great book. This is a very sweet fun book. It is a quick guide to palmistry and so you can have a basic understanding of it. Vernon Mahabal has done a great job! Thumbs up A+++++ ^_^

Great For Adults, Too!
I bought this book for my 11 year old cousin, which I guess is the "recommended" age for this book, but I got a lot out of it, as well. It's not as if adults understand palmistry, simply by virtue of being adults, so 'big people' will find this interesting, too. It wasn't what I would call "babyish." The author doesn't insult the intelligence or write condescendly to the kids, it seems. The diagrams in it are simple and it's easy to see what they're talking about when they talk about the different lines. I think if you buy this for the young person in your life, you'll end up trying to read it, also. ... Read more

Book Description

From animal behavior to holidays, and from historical events in North America to the weather, this fact-filled series gives readers a month-by-month look at life throughout the year. Each book wraps up with a short story that celebrates the month's unique character. Each book includes--

* The Birthstone and Flower of each month
* Zodiac
* Weather
* Flora and Fauna
* Important Days and Events
* Birthdays of Famous People ... Read more