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“But, what’s the problem?” Does this sound familiar? I hear this question from my students A LOT! I find that my students struggle with understanding what a problem really is. Most assume that a problem is only a problem when it affects someone else, or when they see an immediate consequence for an action. In reality, of course, there are long-term and unintended consequences that they may not see for a while. And there’s also the ironic realization that problem solving isn’t JUST …

Fibbing. Bending the truth. Telling stories. Making up stuff.No matter what you call it, lying is not something you want your child to do. But kids of all ages often have difficulty telling the truth, especially if they're trying to avoid conflict, punishment or embarrassment. This also may involve not telling the whole story in order to stay out of trouble. In children's minds, it is easier to tell a lie than to admit responsibility for their behavior.Dealing with lies from your child can be ve …

I CAN'T Believe That Just Happened!In the Stained Glass Tree, Jilly finds herself in plenty of embarrassing situations, but perhaps the worst is when she goes to her first dance and Brianna "accidentally" spills punch on Jilly's new dress - then she slips and falls in the punch! This just absolutely crushes her spirits and ruins her memory of the dance! She leaves the dance, hides out on the football field, and she nearly lets the moment come between her friendship with Anton and Trina. Ji …

America truly is a melting pot of many cultures, and our society’s diversity is what makes us unique, strong and vibrant. No matter what race people are or what religion or cultural beliefs they profess, in the end, we are all Americans.However, when misunderstandings or suspicion cause people to fear others who they consider to be “different,” it leads to the kind of tension and friction we see too often today across our country.As parents, it is our obligation and responsibility to instill in …

Just like actions have equal and opposite reactions, social interactions have equal and appropriate reactions. When someone offers a greeting, such as “hello,” the expected response is a similar greeting, not to walk by without responding. Likewise, during a conversation, it is appropriate to pause and offer the other participant a chance to talk and not just continue talking forever.Many children seem to learn these unwritten rules by observation and through play. But not everyone can. Fo …

Books are a gift. Opening a new book and allowing yourself to be absorbed into its pages can take you to worlds you never imagined. Different places and times. Magical, far-off destinations. Treasure hunts. Ship wrecks. Tales of friendship and love. New customs, cultures, and civilizations. A view into language, dress, and social mores of the past. Books have always been a part of my life. As a young girl, I loved mysteries. I remember asking for and receiving so many of the old Nan …

Have you ever started off the day with positive intentions only to find your mood spiraling downwards as life seemingly throws all sorts of obstacles your way? Last week, I was rushing to drop off my oldest child to an event. The event was about 45 minutes away not counting the awful traffic that is the norm in our area. When traffic finally broke, I managed to pick up speed only to be pulled over by a state trooper. It seemed we were destined to be late no matter what I did. The day …

Our exciting titles for Spring of 2019 diversify our already exemplary stable of authors by introducing two notable debut voices. Billie Pavicic introduces readers to the delightful Parker Plum, a boy who struggles with negative thinking, and Leona Lugan delights readers with the first chapter book in a series called Middle School Misfits. Alongside new titles from established series and authors, this list is chock-full of future favorites that will appeal to new readers as well as to those who …

Dear Loyal Customers,With the holiday season upon us and 2018 winding down, we at Boys Town Press would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your support throughout the year.This year has brought some exciting developments at Boys Town Press:New website! In March of this year, Boys Town Press launched a new website with a goal of delighting our customers who purchase through our website. Reorganizing, bundling, improving search capabilities and technologies, ensuring responsiven …

School’s out?! Let the fun begin! At our house, school breaks mean lots of fun activities – but also a little continuing education. Learning does not stop when the bell rings for winter break. Along with their other responsibilities at home, our kids are expected to read for an hour each day. Our kids are avid readers, so an hour is fitting for them. But one hour can be a long time for some kids. In that case, a good place to start is 10 minutes per grade (1st graders read for 10 min …