Overcoming School

When a child stops going to school, the entire family feels the impact. School avoidance may look like defiance, but it’s often rooted in anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges—and influenced by factors within the school environment that can make attendance feel overwhelming. Yet many families and educators are left unsure how to respond.

August 1918. Everybody likes twelve-year-old Josie Winslow. While she helps in the family drug store and plans for the first day of school, her pharmacist father is puzzled by newspaper articles about influenza arriving in New York on ships from Europe. It is still summer. Flu is a winter disease. Billy Detwiler has been kicked out of prep school. No one, not even Billy, is happy he will be in Josie’s school let alone her eighth-grade class. He is a bully of the first order and is looking for his next victim. He calls Josie “Pharmacy Girl,” but it is no compliment. By mid-October, ...

"You aren’t broken. We just learn differently, and just because you get low grades now, doesn’t mean you aren’t smart. Believe me, I’ve been where you are, and it doesn’t have to be that way." – Jon E Jonathan attended six schools across five school districts in two countries—Canada and the United States. Navigating so many different teachers and school systems while struggling gave us a unique perspective. It was hard. We didn’t understand why he couldn’t read in those early years. He was a normal kid, spoke well, played with friends, and seemed like every other child we ...

Nicki Truesdell, blogger, mother of 5, and second-generation homeschooler, shares her stories of home education through many ups and downs, and how she learned to adapt to every situation.

Unlock Confidence, Resilience, and Real-World Success — A Practical Guide for Teens and Young Adults Navigating the world as a teen or young adult can feel overwhelming. From making new friends or managing anxiety in social situations, to figuring out how to speak up at work or stay on top of deadlines—life throws a lot at you. That’s why this guide was created. This is your personal toolkit for mastering the essential social and life skills needed to thrive—at school, at work, and in the real world. Inside, you’ll discover how to: ✔ Communicate clearly and confidently in any ...

Fail It Till You Make It: From Rejection to Redemption – A Physician’s Journey is a raw, inspiring, and deeply personal account of what it truly takes to build a life of meaning when the path is anything but smooth. In this memoir-manifesto, Dr. Mel Ona—a successful gastroenterologist, entrepreneur, and lifelong creative—pulls back the curtain on the setbacks, self-doubt, and near-burnout he faced on the road to becoming a physician. But this isn’t just another doctor’s tale. It’s a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever questioned their worth after a failure or felt trapped by ...

In today’s world, children face a range of challenges that impact their emotional well-being, self-esteem, and social development. From bullying and peer pressure to academic expectations, it’s no wonder many children struggle with confidence, resilience, and forming positive relationships. As a parent, teacher, or caregiver, it can be overwhelming to know how best to guide children through these difficulties and help them develop into confident, resilient individuals. This book offers research-based strategies to help children build self-worth, develop resilience, and navigate the ...

Making Friends When It Feels Impossible Real Tools for Teens Who Are Shy, Anxious, or Always on the Outside Looking In Do you feel like everyone else got the friendship rulebook, and you didn’t? Whether you’re shy, anxious, or just unsure how to connect, this guide gives you real tools to start conversations, join groups, and find friends who truly get you. Written by mentor and former police chief Michael Gillette, this isn’t another “just be yourself” pep talk. It’s a practical, judgment-free handbook that shows you exactly how to build connections, both in person and online, ...

Starting school can be exciting—but making friends? That’s the tricky part! Join Ellie the Elephant in this funny and heartwarming rhyming adventure as she faces her fears about meeting new kids. With a little courage, some deep breaths, and a big dose of laughter, Ellie discovers the best trick of all: being herself! Perfect for kids entering preschool or elementary school, “Ellie the Elephant Makes a Friend” is packed with: ✅ Relatable lessons about friendship and overcoming shyness ✅ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques like reframing negative thoughts and deep ...

A heartwarming chapter book full of friendship, confidence, and everyday courage—starring Positive Pete and the Positivity Posse! Welcome back to the Little Red Roof Schoolhouse, where a talking horse named Positive Pete helps his classmates face their fears, find their voices, and believe in themselves. With the help of nine kind-hearted girls known as the Positivity Posse, Pete encourages teamwork, inclusion, and kindness in every chapter. From a shy lamb’s first day to a loud kangaroo learning to focus, each story celebrates the small moments that lead to big growth. Whether Pete is ...

A school psychologist accidentally discovers the amazing talent of a cloistered teenage girl with Usher Syndrome.

"Chasing New Heights" is the continuation of Holly’s journey as she transitions into high school, where new challenges await her on and off the cross country course. After a triumphant middle school season, Holly faces increased competition, self-doubt, and the pressure of leadership as she mentors younger runners like Mia. With the state championships on the horizon, Holly must balance the weight of expectations, her friendships, and her passion for running. Through perseverance, she discovers that success is not just about winning but about personal growth, teamwork, and embracing the ...

Scrolling through profiles on the dating app, Allen’s profile appears – a blast from my high school days. Meeting Allen again after all these years felt like stepping into a time warp. His rugged charm still intact, stirring feelings I thought long buried. Yet, as we exchanged stories over coffee, I couldn't ignore the pain of our past. Despite my heart's hesitation, his sincerity made me consider a future together. Will history repeat itself or will our second chance be different?

Run with Your Heart follows Holly, a shy 12-year-old who moves from a bustling city to a small town where running is everything. At first, she struggles to fit in, unsure of her place in this new world. But with the help of a new friend and a local running club, Holly discovers not only her talent for cross-country running but also the strength to overcome her self-doubt. As she trains for the season’s championship race, Holly navigates friendships, rivalries, and personal growth, learning that sometimes, the most important race is the one you run with your heart. This inspiring story of ...

Ryan Meyers is a teenage boy on the cusp of adulthood, struggling to find his place in the world while growing up in the American Heartland. As he navigates the challenges of rural life, he faces heartbreak, loss, and a life-changing accident that alters his future. With his cantankerous grandfather, his only living relative, slowly succumbing to illness, Ryan’s world is turned upside down. To make matters worse, his first love, Mary, abruptly ends their relationship without explanation. And when he thinks things can’t get worse, a horrifying event in the woods leaves him injured and ...

Prayer is the foundation of every great move of God. Throughout history, men and women who shaped the spiritual landscape of nations were those who understood the power of prayer. A true prayer leader is not just someone who prays but someone who cultivates an atmosphere of prayer, influences others to seek God, and stands in the gap for people, churches, and nations. This book, "Foundations of Prayer Leadership – Level 1," is designed to equip you with the spiritual disciplines, biblical principles, and practical insights necessary to lead in prayer. Whether you are just beginning your ...

He wanted to disappear. Instead, he became the target of the biggest kid in school. And then… the bully asked him for help. When Davey Watkins moves across the country, his goals are simple: stay invisible, perfect his fadeaway jumper, and maybe dunk a basketball someday. But his first day at his new school lands him in the crosshairs of Shawn “Goliath” Morton—a violent bully with wounds of his own. Everything changes when Shawn shows up at Davey’s door—bruised and desperate—with an impossible request: train him to fight his abusive father. Davey reluctantly agrees—with one ...

Attending her high school reunion Beth Thomson is filled with dread. After a run in with old enemies, will a chance encounter with her high school crush change things for the better? Or will old insecurities get in the way?

In the year 1820, young Grace and Rodney are on the brink of unravelling a thrilling mystery at Amberwood Hall. But just as they piece together the clues, tragedy strikes, leaving them trapped between worlds. Now, as ghosts, they must discover a way to reach the living and bring the criminals to justice. If they fail, the innocent will suffer, and their story will remain untold. Will they unlock the secrets of the past before it's too late? Exciting prequel to the Amberwood Hall school series. Find out how Grace and Rodney became The Ghosts of Amberwood!

Do you often feel unloved or unsafe? Are you overly self-conscious, afraid that people will not accept you? Are you holding back on something because of what people will think? If so, you may need some healing from insecurity. Insecurity tells you that you will not be safe or secure. It tells you that no one will care about you or like or love you because of who you are or something about you. Insecurity tells you that you need to not try because it won’t work for you. Insecurity lies. This book will walk you through emotional and spiritual healing strategies from a Christian worldview so...