Jena Pallone, a junior in high school, has been homeschooled for eleven years. Her writings have placed in contests and been locally published in the Jeffersonian Democrat and The Path. Jena enjoys reading the classics, writing, hunting, and showing her horse in local and 4-H shows.
Tenna Perry has black belts in American Freestyle Karate and Bushido Kai. She has taught martial arts to students of all ages for ten years. Tenna focuses a great deal of her writing on self-defense, all forms of child abuse and rape. Please e-mail her at [email protected].
Victoria Perry is a high school freshman and a junior karate instructor who enjoys teaching other children the importance of self-defense. Victoria participates in as many karate tournaments as possible in her area where she has consistently won in both sparring and katas.
Kelsey Peters is an eleven-year-old who enjoys reading Chicken Soup books, writing and playing with her dogs, Lilli and Dottie. She is in fifth grade and loves to sing for her church.
Nathan D. Phung is a seventh-grader from California. His hobbies are reading, bowling, searching for cool jokes on the Internet and practicing magic tricks. He plays the piano for his school jazz band and the trombone in the marching band. Someday, Nathan would like to be a computer engineer or magician.
Michael T. Powers is a high school girls’ coach, youth pastor, founder of www.Heart4Teens.com, and author of his own book, Heart Touchers. To read more about his writings, which appear in nineteen inspirational books, or to join the thousands of worldwide readers on his inspirational e-mail list, visit www.Heart4Teens.com or e-mail him at [email protected].
Rachel Punches grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, and is a soldier in the Army National Guard. She now lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she is attending college. In her spare time, she enjoys movies, reading, singing at the top of her lungs and dancing when no one is around. She draws inspiration for her writing from family and friends. She dedicates her poem to her friend, Kerry, whom she loves and misses very much.
Lin Rajan received her bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering from Goa University, India, with honors. She is settled in Virginia with her husband and loves writing, reading and cooking. She believes that an individual is “successful” when he/she is “happy.” E-mail her at [email protected].
John Reiner was born in 1956 and raised on Long Island. He met Mad Magazine artist Mort Drucker in 1974, who encouraged him to pursue cartooning as a career; and in 1984 hired Reiner to work on King Features’ comic strip Benchley. In collaboration with Bunny Hoest, Reiner took over production of the classic comic panel The Lockhorns, created by the late Bill Hoest. They also took over Bumper Snickers, Howard Huge and Laugh Parade. Reiner won the 1994 National Cartoonists Society award for gag cartoons.
Alexandria Robinson, twelve, is an excellent writer who loves to express her feelings, thoughts, emotions and life experiences on paper. She likes to do normal girl stuff like hang out with friends and talk on the phone. She still can’t believe that one of her poems was picked to be in Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2!
Gwen Rockwood received her English degree from the University of Arkansas. She writes a humor column called “The Rockwood Files” for newspapers in Arkansas and Missouri and is currently working on a compilation book of her columns. E-mail her at [email protected].
Leigh Rubin, with his cartoon panel, Rubes, in hundreds of newspapers across the country and gracing millions of greeting cards, mugs and T-shirts, began his career in 1979, when he created a publishing company, Rubes Publications. After distributing his own greeting cards; Rubin went on to publish the popular Notable Quotes in 1981. Just three years later, Rubes began appearing in newspapers and is now distributed by Creators Syndicate to more than 400 newspapers worldwide. Rubin is married and has three sons.
Jessica Sagers is in eighth grade in Utah. She is boy crazy, loves hanging out with her friends and enjoys seeing Orlando Bloom movies. Jessica likes writing poetry and fictional stories and plays tennis, water-skis and snow-skis.
Cassandra Scheidies is finishing her bachelor of organizational communications at Bellevue University. She received her associates in biblical studies from Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska. She enjoys kickboxing, basketball and reading. She is now working on an inspirational novel.
Jerry Scott started cartooning professionally in the mid-1970s by submitting gag cartoons to magazines and sold one from his first batch to the Saturday Evening Post. In 1983, he was asked to take over the Nancy comic strip, originally by Ernie Bushmiller, which he continued to create for twelve years. Scott went on to create the Zits comic strip in collaboration with cartoonist Jim Borgman that debuted in July 1997 in more than 200 newspapers—one of the strongest strip introductions in years. Jerry, his wife, Kim, and their daughter live in California.
Erin Shirreff is fourteen years old and enjoys swimming, horseback riding and most of all singing. When she grows up she plans to be on Broadway!
Jaimee Silber is an eighth-grade honor student from Michigan. Her interests include cheerleading, dance and, of course, writing. She has a dog, a cat and a sister, Alexis. This is Jaimee’s first published work and she would like to thank her Nana for buying her her first Chicken Soup book.
Samantha Slaughter, age twelve, has been surrounded by people who read her entire life. She loves to write and includes her personal feelings in her pieces. Her favorite color is purple and she likes playing basketball and spending time with family and friends.
Allen Smith is currently a sophomore in high school. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and anything dealing with the outdoors. He is currently in Scouting and is working toward his Eagle rank.
Danny Stein enjoys hockey, golf and skiing, as well as playing guitar. He believes that you can do anything you put your mind to!
Michelle Strauss is a fifteen-year-old from Weatherford, Texas, who enjoys writing poetry. She has been entering and winning writing competitions since the third grade and often competes with her twin sister. Michelle is the editor of her school newspaper and plans to attend college to earn a degree in creative writing.
Craig Strickland is married with two kids. He likes bodysurfing and going to movies. He has had numerous stories published in magazines and anthologies. His two books for middle-readers are Scary Stories from 1313 Wicked Way and Scary Stories for Sleepovers #8. You can e-mail him at [email protected].
Mark Tatulli drew his first published newspaper comic strip in 1988, for the Burlington County Times in New Jersey. His next strip, Bent Halos a comic about a couple of rambunctious angels, was nationally syndicated. In 1997 Heart of the City quickly caught the eyes of senior editors at Universal Press Syndicate and debuted in newspapers in 1998. An Emmy award winner, Mark is also an accomplished filmmaker and animator. He resides in New Jersey with his wife, son and two daughters.
B. J. Taylor now has a home of her own that she shares with three cats, one dog and a wonderful husband. She has been published in newspapers and magazines and is writing a book for dog lovers showing how a dog and its owner can make a difference in their community by helping others. E-mail her at [email protected].
Bob Thaves is a master of the twisted phrase and skewed outlook. A true innovator, Frank and Ernest was the first comic panel presented in a strip format. Thaves, who holds both bachelor and master degrees in psychology, began cartooning as a kid and never stopped. He has been honored with three Reuben Awards for Best Syndicated Panel in 1986, 1984 and 1983, and was given the Free Press Association’s Mencken Award for Best Cartoon in 1985. He was also voted “Punster of the Year” in 1990 by the International Save the Pun Foundation.
Aidan Trenn is a nine-year-old girl who loves to draw, make crafts and play with her friends. She was born in Maryland and has lived in Florida, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Aidan also enjoys inline skating and boogie boarding. She is in Mrs. Jones’ third-grade class and is a member of the Math Superstars Club.
Quinn Thomas lives in Georgia wit
h her husband and one-year-old daughter. After a twelve-year career in social services, she is now a stay-at-home mother and loves spending time with her daughter and writing children’s stories.
Mike Vallely, skateboard legend and East Coast rebel-punk-poet, changed the face of skateboarding in 1986 with his innovative and artistic approach to street skating. Eighteen years later he is still making an impact with his unflinching individuality and his aggressive and expressive skating. A touring machine, Mike V. has covered more ground than any other professional skater in the history of the sport, spreading the gospel of skateboarding around the globe. Lead singer of the hardcore punk outfit Mike V. and the Rats and star of ESPN’s Tony Hawk’s Gigantic Skatepark Tour and featured in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game series, he is on a mission to live his life to the fullest each and every day, which means plenty more relevant and impassioned skating and music is yet to come from this man.
Lauren Ashley Weilbacher is a high school freshman. Her hobbies are ballet, pointe, jazz and tap. She is a pom-pom girl and also teaches ballet and tap.
Ellen Werle, age twelve, is currently attending acting school. She likes swimming, biking, inline skating and playing with her friends.
Spencer Westcott was seventeen when he wrote “My Dad, the Superhero.” He is currently studying political science at the University of California, San Diego. Spencer is the president of the Poker Society, the Secret Society of Pirates; a member of the Associated Students; and enjoys playing golf and guitar. You can contact Spencer at [email protected].
Michelle Williams joined Destiny’s Child, one of the bestselling female groups of all time, with steely determination to learn. That same fearless, faith-driven quality came in handy while jump-starting a solo career as an inspirational/gospel recording artist with her 2002 release, Heart to Yours. Her tireless work ethic motivated her to conquer a starring role on the Broadway stage as the love-crossed Nubian princess, Aida. And in January 2004, Michelle excitedly delivered Do You Know, an inspirational and contemporary urban-gospel style, set to everyday life-based testimonials of self-doubt, questions of faith and bad relationships.
Kristi Yamaguchi is skating’s best and brightest; a dominant force and major star in the world of figure skating. Her professional career is marked by numerous major championship titles and critically acclaimed performances earning her accolades from major sportswriters as the “best female skater in the world.” Following a tremendous amateur career, in 1992 Kristi won the U.S. National Championship, fulfilled a lifelong dream by winning the Olympic Gold Medal in Albertville and defended her World title in her hometown in Oakland. In 1998 Kristi returned to the U.S. National Championships to be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. She has recently finished her tenth year of touring with Stars on Ice along with fellow Olympic medallists Katrina Witt, Ilia Kulik, Todd Eldridge and Tara Lipinski.
Julia Yorks is a fifteen-year-old high school freshman who loves to write, although her ambition in life is to be an actress or news commentator. Julia has appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable, and on the CBS television show “Hack,” among others. Her favorite pastimes include singing, being with friends and playing sports.
Patty Zeitlin is an author, poet, playwright and songwriter with recordings for young people and adults and an M.A. from Pacific Oaks College in human development. She teaches classes in Compassionate Communication (NVC). Patty enjoys dancing, reading and Hawaii. She just finished writing a fantasy-fiction novel for young adults. Contact her at [email protected].
Christina Zucal is working on her GED and hopes to attend college in a year or two. She enjoys using her computer to play Counter-Strike and to chat online with friends.
Permissions
We would like to acknowledge the following publishers and individuals for permission to reprint the following material. (Note: The stories that penned are public domain or that were written by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Hansen or Irene Dunlap are not included in this listing.)
Introduction. Reprinted by permission of Elisabeth Haney and Kenyon P. Haney. ©2003 Elisabeth Haney.
On Friends Chapter Opener. Reprinted by permission of Michele Davis and Laurie Davis. ©2003 Michele Davis.
Thanks Ya’ll. Reprinted by permission of Michelle Strauss and Patricia Hartnett. ©1999 Michelle Strauss.
Story Opener. Reprinted by permission of Nicole Johnson and Raymond Johnson. ©2003 Nicole Johnson.
Right in Front of Me. Reprinted by permission of Heather Comeau. ©2003 Heather Comeau.
The Mysterious Book Bag. Reprinted by permission of Laura Andrade. ©2003 Laura Andrade.
A Friendship to Remember. Reprinted by permission of Veneta Leonard. ©2003 Veneta Leonard.
Friends at First Sight. Reprinted by permission of Stephanie Caffall and Dawn Caffall. ©2002 Stephanie Caffall.
Tears in the Bathroom Stall. Reprinted by permission of Cheryl Kremer. ©2003 Cheryl Kremer.
The Cool Girls. Reprinted by permission of Mel Caro. ©2003 Mel Caro.
Being There. Reprinted by permission of Jared Garrett and Lisa Garrett. ©1999 Jared Garrett.
An Unexpected Reaction. Reprinted by permission of Carmen Leal. ©1997 Carmen Leal.
Tasting the Moment. Reprinted by permission of Andrea Adair. ©2003 Andrea Adair.
Ditched. Reprinted by permission of Colleen Mahoney. ©2002 Colleen Mahoney.
Clueless. Reprinted by permission of Mridu Khullar. ©2003 Mridu Khullar.
Teasing Tami. Reprinted by permission of Michael T. Powers. ©2000 Michael T. Powers.
Not My Boyfriend. Reprinted by permission of Carol Miller. ©2003 Carol Miller.
Without the Kisses. Reprinted by permission of Jennifer O’Neil. ©2000 Jennifer O’Neil.
Achieving Dreams Chapter Opener. Reprinted by permission of Hannah Heninger and Lou Ann Heninger. ©2001 Hannah Heninger.
Head-Butting the Wall. Reprinted by permission of Mike Vallely. ©2000 Mike Vallely.
The Idea. Reprinted by permission of Sydney Milucky and Lynn Milucky. ©2004 Sydney Milucky.
Deep Inside. Reprinted by permission of Stephanie Ives and Joanna Ives. ©2003 Stephanie Ives.
More Than I Had Dreamed Of. Reprinted by permission of Lin Rajan. ©2003 Lin Rajan.
Welcome to New Hope, Pennsylvania. Reprinted by permission of Julia Yorks and Robert Yorks. ©2004 Julia Yorks.
Better Off. Reprinted by permission of Kirk Brandt. ©2004 Kirk Brandt.
No Place I’d Rather Be. ©1998 by Kristi Yamaguchi and Greg Brown. Published by Taylor Trade Publishing, an imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, www.rlpgbooks.com.
Story Opener. Reprinted by permission of Brittany Hielckert and David Hielckert. ©2003 Brittany Hielckert.
Stay with Me. Reprinted by permission of Jaime Fisher and Sherri Hill. ©2003 Jaime Fisher.
A Loving Mother. Reprinted by permission of Holly Howard and Sheryl Chamness. ©2003 Holly Howard.
Story Opener. Reprinted by permission of Kristina Taskova-Zeese and Tatyana Taskova. ©2001 Kristina Taskova-Zeese.
The Worst Day of My Life. Reprinted by permission of Jennifer Kerperien and Richard Kerperien. ©2002 Jennifer Kerperien.
Lucky. Reprinted by permission of Molly McAfee and Shelly McAfee. ©2001 Molly McAfee.
Maddy. Reprinted by Molly Miller and Caryn Borman. ©1998 Molly Miller.
A Halloween No One Will Forget. Reprinted by permission of Heather Hutson and Judy Hutson. ©2001 Heather Hutson.
The Sandals That Saved My Life. Reprinted by permission of Mallorie Cuevas and Ellen Gereau. ©2002 Mallorie Cuevas.
65 Roses. Reprinted by permission of Denise Marsh and Jodie Griffin. ©2000 Denise Marsh.
Klutz Dust and Puberty. Reprinted by permission of Cynthia M. Hamond. ©2003 Cynthia M. Hamond.
Jimmy, Jimmy. Reprinted by permission of Karen Lombard ©2003 Karen Lombard.
The Mummy Returns. Reprinted by permission of Chiara Cabiglio and Vicki Cabig
lio. ©2001 Chiara Cabiglio.
Whose Room Is It, Anyway? Reprinted by permission of Aidan Trenn and Melinda Fausey. ©2003 Aidan Trenn and Melinda Fausey.
Gabriella. Reprinted by permission of Tiffany Clifton. ©2001 Tiffany Clifton.
The Big Slip. Reprinted by permission of Scott Allen. ©1996 Scott Allen.
Confessions of a Four-Eyes. Reprinted by permission of Gwen Rockwood. ©2000 Gwen Rockwood.
My Most Embarrassing Moment. Reprinted by permission of Denise Ramsden and David Ramsden, Emily Belcik and Susan Belcik, Ashley Treffert and Candy Schmidt, Whitney Allen and Jody Holter-Allen, Anne Jennings and Ellen Jennings, Alyssa Calilap and Edith Calilap, Bradley McDermid and Robert McDermid, Marissa Leigh Hromek and Charles Hromek Jr., Briana Euell-Pilgram and Anita Euell-Pilgram, Quinn Thomas, Katie Driver and David Driver. ©2003 Denise Ramsden, Emily Belcik, Ashley Treffert, Whitney Allen, Anne Jennings, Alyssa Calilap, Bradley McDermid, Marissa Leigh Hromek, Quinn Thomas, Briana Euell-Pilgram and Katie Driver.
On Changes Chapter Opener. Reprinted by permission of Alexandria Robinson and Arito and Inez Robinson. ©2001 Alexandria Robinson.
Silence. Reprinted by permission of Elisabeth Copeland and Christina Harrison. ©2001 Elisabeth Copeland.
The Best Brother in the Whole Wide World. Reprinted by permission of Katie Beauchamp and Rebecca Miller. ©2003 Katie Beauchamp.
Moving On. Reprinted by permission of Ellen Werle and Angela Werle. ©2003 Ellen Werle.
My Problem. Reprinted by permission of Allen Smith and Loren Smith. ©2000 Allen Smith.
Waiting for Katie. Reprinted by permission of Erin Shirreff and Jean Shirreff. ©2000 Erin Shirreff.
Bad Hair Day. Reprinted by permission of Kerry Germain. ©2003 Kerry Germain.
Get Over It and Go On. Reprinted by permission of Christina Zucal and Susan Zucal. ©1999 Christina Zucal.
Stories About Facing Challenges, Realizing Dreams and Making a Difference Page 30