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.

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.

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

In a culture obsessed with parenting formulas, it's easy to miss the fact that science and lived experience have proven that human development and thriving are a matter of relationship. Drawing on decades of psychological research, neuroscience, and their own experience as parents and people of faith, the Olricks present six relational needs for human growth that will transform the way you think about your child - and yourself. Together, the needs form a trustworthy compass to guide you and your child to a path of purpose and relational wholeness.

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 ...

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?

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 ...

For a group of friends, one mistake changed the course of their lives forever. In the aftermath of a tragic school shooting, the group must find their own form of justice and a way to begin healing from a wound that just won’t stop hurting. For them, the lines were drawn. Right and wrong became blurred. Friends became enemies. Told from the perspective of four friends, we learn how one student’s revenge reigned terror over a school and a community-- causing secrets to unfold and relationships to be tested. A compelling and powerful story about a school shooting. A must read.

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 ...

Against All Odds: A Memoir of Grit, Resilience, and an Unconventional Life Journey By Dr. Len Fellez, Ed.D. From the gritty sugar plantations of Waialua, Hawaii, to the administrative halls of Seattle's top schools, Dr. Len Fellez’s memoir, Against All Odds, tells the compelling story of a man who defied expectations at every turn. Born in the Kalakaua Housing projects and facing personal and societal challenges, Fellez's life journey is a testament to the power of resilience, grit, and the will to succeed. Growing up in the racial tensions of 1950s Hawaii, young Len experienced prejudice...

This is a unique and heartwarming audiobook. It follows Danny the dyslexic dinosaur as he goes through the ups and downs of having dyslexia. It conveys through a child's eyes what having dyslexia feels like. The story shows how young Danny navigates the world with his dyslexia. It highlights some strengths and struggles experienced by children that have dyslexia. Danny struggles with various aspects of school and home life. Danny learns a new lesson each day. He uses his dyslexic strengths to overcome his challenges.

"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 ...

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 ...

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

I’ve always wanted to go to Magic School… So why am I so afraid? When Irving, a nervous perfectionist elf, receives a secret message on his mirror inviting him to attend Magic School, he’s overjoyed… until his insecurity makes him wonder if he’s making the right choice. Can Irving and his friends summon up the courage to succeed? While entertaining, The Wand Fixers early chapter series teaches the importance of friendship and overcoming fear. Everyone has insecurities and you’ll be rooting for Irving as he fights to overcome his physical and emotional obstacles to make his ...

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 ...

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...