The Trouble With Peer Pressure: A Simple "My ADHD Story" for Young Teens, by Darlene R. Wood

Title: The Trouble With Peer Pressure: A Simple "My ADHD Story" for Young Teens

Author: Darlene R. Wood

Illustrator: Victor Guiza

Publisher: Outskirt Press

Date: October 29, 2014

Paperback: 31 pages

Genre: Family & Relationships/ Peer Pressure



About the Book
If you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), you already know that sometimes, everyday life seems like it’s too much to handle. And probably you’ve already experienced the fact that when you’re already overwhelmed, peer pressure seems to compound any situation. The Trouble With Peer Pressure is a friendly, practical guide to help you navigate the challenges of peer pressure. Author Darlene R. Wood provides information you can use, including ways to think about the consequences of your actions, and strategies to feel less isolated by the label of ADHD. You may feel that figuring out how to deal with peer pressure is hard—but guess what? It doesn’t have to be. Like any other issue, it just requires that everyone step back, evaluate, and design a thoughtful and respectful solution. The Trouble With Peer Pressure is a valuable resource for you and your family that will make life easier for you, both in school and at home.


My Take
I was really excited to read this book because my daughter was diagnosed with having ADD/ADHD. I thought it would be nice to have a book that she can refer to when feeling like things weren't feeling okay in her life. Unfortunately, this book wasn't it. The story was nice. A boy who was struggling to get through life because of something he had to deal with that most people didn't understand. It showed how he had to go through life having one downfall after another, but later coming out on top, which is good. I liked that aspect of the story. Show children no matter how hard things get, they can still come out on the top.

The one major issue I have with the book, and believe me I hate writing negative things, is the part where the authour constantly repeats "peer pressure". It would have been nice if she could have explained a little more what different peer pressures he was going through and how he came out of it. Like one part of the story speaks about peer pressure, but talks about the boy going to the principals office with his family. I don't see what that has to do with peer pressure. Granted, I know fitting in is hard, I can see what my child has gone through, but to me there is more to ADHD then suffering with peer pressure. Now I know, that is part of the title of the book, but I feel like she could have gone deeper into it and gave us a better understanding of what he went through.

I still think it is a good book to read with your children who suffer from ADHD. It might make them realize that they are not alone in how they feel and what they go through.


About the Author

Darlene R. Wood is a full-time mom who loves to create art in a variety of media, from designing wedding cakes to sewing cloth “How-To” books for children, painting, and now writing. The Trouble With Peer Pressure is her first book.

This complimentary book was given to me by Bostick Communications and the authour for my honest review.

Confession or Miracles Happen, by Marina Polukhina

Title: Confession or Miracles Happen

Author: Marina Polukhina

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.

Date: May 30, 2014

Paperback: 72 pages







About the Author
Marina Polukhina (maiden name Granova) was born on March 26, 1966 in Leningrad, USSR (Saint Petersburg, Russia). She finished High School with extensive learning of English in 1983. In 1985 she graduated technical college. In 1986, completed "State Course" of British English. In 1987, Marina got married; and in 1988 her daughter Arina was born. When Arina was 5 1/2 years old her parents got a divorce. Marina worked in Medical Genetic Center of St. Petersburg till March 1, 2003. On March 21st, Marina together with her 15 years old daughter Arina moved to the USA. Marina got married on May 16, 2003. She lives with her husband in Maryland.

About the book
Do you believe in miracles? Most of us do not. I did not believe in miracles either until one late afternoon I realized that despite what I did, I was still alive. I discoverd myself after 25 years of struggling and suffering. I have just turned 48, but I can assure you that my life has started a year ago. Yes, first 47 years of my life I spent in the deepest and terrigying darkness.

My take
This book doesn't have a lot of pages, so it can be finished pretty fast. I did enjoy the storyline of it. Being written in first person and having to read "I" in every sentence made it hard to get through. I had a really hard time with her writing style. Putting that aside, I made it to the end and found the story interesting. This story makes you realize that not everyone has the greatest life, but if you truly want to live and survive, you will do whatever it takes to make it. I also learned that depression can be a very troubling disease and if you don't have anyone to help you or if you don't get any help, it can end tragically.

I feel as though the author is very brave to tell her story. She struggled through some very trying moments and still felt that she could put it on some pages and put it out there for the whole world to see. May be her hope is for other women in her situation to realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you can survive no matter how hard you struggle. Pull yourself up by your boot straps and have a little faith in God and you can make it through.

This complimentary book was given to me through Bostick Communications for my honest review.