Youth can forge their own path, engage their passions, and light thousands of sparks to become the person they want to be with this interactive guide to forming their own identity. The teen years don't have to be a struggle!
Buy the book:
"The principles laid out in Ignite Your Spark will help teens discover their unique path and grow into adults of character, confidence, and substance."
-Josh Shipp, author of The Teen's Guide to World Domination
"In an era of consumerism, celebrity-worship, and zero-size dresses as the measure of success, Patricia Wooster offers sane advise for teens. I highly recommend "Ignite Your Spark" and applaud her approach to raising kids from the INSIDE out! Get a copy for your teen and start the conversation of what really matters in life."
- Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About Me World
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"Ignite Your Spark encourages teens to find their passion and follow their own dreams. The one thing I hear from teens in my office over and over again is that they feel a complete lack of control over their lives. Patricia Wooster helps teens work through the hard stuff (like self-acceptance and dealing with failure) using anecdotes, specific tips, and fun quizzes to evaluate needs. This book is engaging and helps teens take control of their goals. I highly recommend this book for the teen in your life!"
-Katie Hurley, LCSW, author of The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World
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"I was lucky enough to score an advance copy of Ignite Your Spark, and I absolutely LOVE this book. Anybody who knows me and my work with teen girls knows that I'm all about self-discovery. In my mind, it's the most important thing we can help young adults do—figure out what sparks their passion so they can create whatever they want to create in their lives. Patricia's book is the perfect guide for any teen looking to tap into their most empowered, creative, inspired selves.
-Debbie Reber, author of Doable: The Girls' Guide to Accomplishing Just About Anything
Ignite Your Spark: the Self-Discovery Handbook For Youth
In 2012 while conducting research for a book, I started crossing paths with numerous teens who were incredibly accomplished. The question that kept gnawing at me was, "How are these ordinary teens doing such extraordinary things?" Did they have access to better education? More supportive parents? Were they geniuses? Trust fund babies?
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I decided to answer these question and documented my findings in Ignite Your Spark. I spoke to some of the most inspirational, interesting, and unique teens, like:
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Aly Raisman, Olympic gymnast
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Jack Andraka, inventor of pancreatic cancer test
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James Li, founder of iRetron
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Noa Mintz, founder of Nannies by Noa
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Lulu Cerone, founder of LemonAID Warriors
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Adora Svitak, TED speaker, author, and activist
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Bethe Reekles, author
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Eliza McNitt, director and featured on Oprah
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Covering topics from bullying, self image, and school to goals, failures, and willpower, Ignite Your Spark features thought-provoking quizzes, activities, and profiles of youth and adults alike who have ignited their now spark to accomplish great things. The book integrates principles that adults are currently reading and applying in their own success practice. For example, Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hours practice, Angela Duckworth on grit, Sarah Lewis's theory on failure, Daniel Coyle's deliberate practice, and Charles Duhrigg's habit principles. Imagine taking the valuable advice we read as adults and begin applying it as a teen -- youth could reclaim their time and work smarter, but not longer or harder!
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Ignite Your Spark discusses the most important issues youth are facing today like:
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Relationships: How friendships, significant others, parents, and other people play a critical role in a youth's life. Topics such as: peer pressure, bullying, toxicity, and support systems are discussed.
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Academics & Activities: School can be stressful, boring, and hard; or it can be a collaborative process between teacher and student. Topics such as: school projects, habits, deliberate practice, and activities and how students can improve how they learn and have time to pursue their interests.
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Dreams: Whether they know it or not -- everyone has dreams -- it's just a matter of discovering them. Topics such as: finding what sparks your interest, resilience, grit, failure, and goal-setting gives youth a head start on going after their passions.
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Self-Image: How a person feels about themselves dictates everything from self-confidence and body image, to what they're willing to try and who they associate with. Topics such as: building your identity, body image, mind/body connection, and the social media myth are discussed so youth can begin to radiate from the inside out.
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Ignite Your Spark discusses all of these topics, but new information, stories, and resources are being added every day to this website. For more information as a youth, parent, teacher, or caring adult on any of these topics please click on any of the above headings. The next book in this series is called Ignite Your Image based on the need for more information for youth on this topic.
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About Patricia Wooster
Patricia Wooster is a mother, author, and teen advocate. She is the author of Ignite Your Spark: Discover Who You Are From the Inside Out and So, You Want To Be A Leader? Patricia's books have helped teens, parents, and educators discuss important teen issues like: insecurities, peer pressures, bullying, body image, relationships, academics, and self-identity.
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You can learn more about Patricia Wooster here.