Overcoming School

A compassionate guide that tackles one of the fastest-growing issues facing families everywhere: the increasing number of children who are refusing or reluctant to attend school. When a child stops going to school, the entire family feels the impact. School avoidance may look like defiance, but...

A hilarious new middle grade novel from beloved and bestselling author Gordon Korman about what happens when the worst class of kids in school is paired with the worst teacher—perfect for fans of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day. A good choice for summer reading or anytime! The Unteachables are a...

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, ...

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 ...

"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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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, ...

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

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 ...

From the playgrounds of Detroit to the bright lights of the NBA, Detroit Eastside Dreams follows Mike Harris and Gary Thompson, two childhood friends who rise above poverty, broken homes, and the violence of the streets to achieve greatness. Mike, the lightning-quick point guard and team captain, and Gary, the towering 6’10” center and unstoppable force, share a bond stronger than anything life throws at them. Together, they dominate high school and college basketball, earning scholarships to Michigan State, fending off jealousy, heartbreak, and the pressures of fame. Their journey ...

Stranger Things meets The Stand in this haunting coming-of-age novel about a plague that brings the world to a halt -- and the boy who believes that his town's missing sparrows can save his family. In the small town of Griever's Mill, eleven-year-old Ben Cameron is expecting to finish off his...

The Lost Map to Your Career: A Practical Guide to Unlocking Success Are you ready to transform your career and achieve the success you’ve always envisioned? The Lost Map to Your Career is a must-read for anyone looking to break through barriers and unlock their full potential. Packed with actionable insights and the author's real world experience, this book empowers readers to navigate job hunting, build essential business communication skills, and develop a leadership mindset. Whether you’re exploring vocational guidance, networking strategies, or seeking advice for professional ...

SELECTED AS WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE MONTH SHORTLISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE AWARD A heart-breaking, heart-warming novel for everyone of 10 and older – this book will probably make you cry, and will definitely make you laugh. Cymbeline Igloo (yes, really!) has NEVER been swimming Not ever. Not once...

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 ...

Chiaroscuro (kyar-uh-scoor-oh): The art of blending light and shadow. DEVOTION - DEPRESSION - DETERMINATION Stom Carpenter is a quiet presence—a giant in the high school halls who slips between worlds, seen but never truly understood. He longs for the freedom and clarity of adulthood, yet the more he seeks it, the more trapped he becomes in his own mind. THE BLENDING OF LIGHT AND SHADOW WAS FAR EASIER ON PAPER THAN IN LIFE. Just last month he was a football player, but Stom traded in his helmet for a sketchbook, hoping to escape the chaos of the world around him. Instead of finding solace...