Ignite Your Spark

January 2, 2017
“Wouldn’t it be great if you woke up every morning excited and energized because your days were filled with a purpose?” That’s the question Wooster (So, You Want to Be a Leader?) poses at the outset of this wide-ranging guide that aims to encourage teens to cultivate their passions. Chapters devoted to friendships, relationships, habits, failures, and other topics include a mix of reader-directed quizzes, scenarios featuring fictional teens, and interviews with a real-life adult and teen “illuminators” including author Beth Reekles, filmmaker Lee Hirsch, and a variety of young entrepreneurs. Throughout, Wooster offers a mix of aphoristic suggestions for how readers can stay on track (“Leave your comfort zone behind”) and concrete goals and actions they can take to foster their interests and skills. Ages 12–up.

November 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Adolescence is often rife with sticky relationships, worries about the future, and general confusion. Wooster attempts to alleviate some of that turmoil in this work that encourages teenagers to think about how their present interests and talents can inspire a life filled with meaningful pursuits. Using a familiar structure, each chapter discusses how teens might revitalize their relationships, activities, dreams, failures, and more. First, a scenario introduces the topic, followed by a general discussion. Next, a short quiz offers readers the chance to assess where they might stand regarding the quality of their relationships or attitudes toward school. Included are interviews with "Illuminators" (some are well-known figures, while others are professional experts or teens themselves) who discovered their passions and went on to notable success. The author continues with helpful advice on changing negative or problematic situations. While the book can be read cover to cover, it might be more appreciated by teens concerned with a particular issue addressed in the relevant chapters. Otherwise the material can become repetitive and formulaic. VERDICT Librarians who need to spruce up their teen bibliotherapy sections with newer, updated titles might find this a worthy addition to their collections.-Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State University, NH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2016
Grades 6-9 The teen years are often perceived as an angst-ridden and turbulent period of human development, but Wooster asserts that adolescence can also be a time of empowerment and self-discovery. The book centers on the idea of a spark, which represents the things that every individual finds inspiring. Common thoughts and behaviors are divided squarely into two camps: those that fan the flames of success and those that extinguish them. Elaborations on the major aspects of the teen years are all includedromantic and platonic relationships, self-image, schoolwork, goal setting, and careers. Interviews with real people and quizzes of self-discovery guide Wooster's narrative. Readers are challenged not only to change their outlook and think more positively but also to create practical action plans for personal success, with relatable examples and suggestions. The central idea is that young people don't have to wait for adulthood to find the things that encourage and inspire them.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
Drawing on interviews with "super-amazing," successful young adults, Wooster gives teens relevant but commonplace advice on "connecting...to the things that make you want to jump out of bed in the morning." Interviewees offer a range of approaches, and "self-discovery quizzes" and "exploratory exercises" may prove useful. Unfortunately, a didactic adult voice predominates. Includes a discussion guide and extensive resources list.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

October 1, 2016
Wooster offers teens too shy or scared to be themselves the stories of others who have embraced their true selves.In peppy prose, the author exhorts teens: instead of following the crowd, focus on discovering and becoming the person you want to beaka igniting your spark. Chapters not only provide suggestions for igniting readers sparks in school, hobbies and activities, and relationships, but how to face failures and boost willpower. The text is peppered with spark igniters and extinguishers, role-plays, quizzes, and examples of all kinds of success stories. It's a bit cluttered and doesn't have a lot of flow, but the information contained is solid. Perhaps there's too much emphasis on not being one of manywhat about teens who are authentically interested in doing the same as most of their peers?yet the positive, cheerleading tone will certainly reassure any teens who are scared of being different. The teen success stories are drawn from all fields, from science to art, business to philanthropy. The section on toxic friendship is particularly valuable. A solid resource for teens seeking advice on planning their futures. (notes, further resources) (Nonfiction. 12-14)

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