The Story Behind the Book
In the summer of 2001, I was invited to give a series of talks at the New Hampshire Celebrates Wellness Conference. At the end of my third presentation on Creative Anger Management, a woman approached me an asked if I knew of any books for teenagers on stress and anger. I replied that I didn't but that my publisher (HCI who publishes Chicken Soup for the Soul) might.
When I returned home I called my editor and inquired about stress books for teens. She sighed and explained that there weren't any on the market. She paused and then said, "Why don't YOU write one?" I explained that I was rather busy with my teaching schedule but I would give it some thought. The next day she faxed a contract to me with a note, saying she wanted me to interview 100 teens across the country and include their answers in the book. I just smiled.
The next day, in talking to my friend and colleague, Linda Bartlett, I explained that I didn't know any teens, let alone one hundred teens. She smiled a Cheshire cat smile and said, "I know 100 teens!"
Over the next few months, I interviewed over 100 teens all across the country. I made up about 30 questions to ask each individual and made up permission forms, not only for the teens, but their parents as well. Everyone involved saw the questions well before hand so they could think up some answers before the interview. All answers were confidential and where appropriate, different names and states were assigned to give everyone complete anonymity. After the first 15 interviews, many teens called their friends enlisting their help and I soon received phone calls and emails all over the country with requests to be interviewed.
Not only does the book include hundreds of quotes from students giving the feel that teens are talking to teens, but also included are art therapy sketches and poetry giving a real voice to the book.
Today Hot Stones & Funny Bones is in the hands of thousands of teens across the country. It is not uncommon to receive an email from someone every now and then thanking me for writing this book. The most common expression I heard from teens is that they feel relieved to know that they are not alone in their feelings of angst and fear, navigating the course of their teen years.
In 2007 Hot Stones & Funny Bones was translated into Chinese revealing that teen stress is not just an American phenomenon, but a global one.
--Dr. Brian Luke Seaward
