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Books
for Teens and the "New Children"
Reviews by Dawn Brunke and Patricia Wade
Awakening to
Animal Voices:
A Teen Guide to Telepathic Communication with All Life
Dawn Baumann Brunke
(Bindu Books,
2004; $14.95)
 Last
year, Dawn Brunke came to our tribal Ya Ne Dah Ah School to talk about
animal communication. As part of her talk, she guided the children
through a journey to experience what it was like to be the little fish
that was swimming around a bowl in the classroom. I followed along,
wondering if the exercise would work for me. Closing my eyes and
connecting with the fish, I began to feel what it was like to float and
swim through the water with little fins attached to my body. For a few
minutes, I actually experienced what it was like to ‘be’ a fish –
and so did the students.
This amazingly wonderful book by my friend and editor of Alaska
Wellness has just been published. It is easy to read and appropriate for
young and old alike. Like Dawn’s first book (Animal Voices), Awakening
gave me a greater appreciation for animals by reading their voices as
they share their observations and wisdom. Dawn also relates how she
learned more about animals by connecting with them in different ways –
through animal communication, dreams, healing experiences, power and
totem animals, and more. For example, she writes about observing an
eagle, and suddenly seeing through the eagle’s eyes. Her book explains
how anyone can do this.
In addition to a very appealing graphic design with lots of great
quotes, animal motifs and photos, and boxes containing animal messages
and stories, Awakening to Animal Voices has many other voices too. It
includes advice from professional animal communicators as well as
animals…from horses, cats and llamas to donkeys, turtles and even some
Iditarod sled dogs. More than that, it has exercises, games, meditations
and projects aimed at helping readers to connect more deeply with
animals (and themselves) by drawing on their own unique strengths and
abilities. I only wish there would have been something like this for me
when I was a teenager. It will put young readers at a great advantage
that many of us older spiritual-seeking bookworms didn’t have.
~Review by Patricia Wade
Tarot For Teens
M. J. Abadie
(Bindu Books,
2002; $14.95)
 In
this engaging, reader-friendly book, M. J. Abadie, a professional tarot
reader, astrologer and psychotherapist, delves into the ancient
divination technique of Tarot.
Her approach is fresh and simple – yet not without depth, humor and
creativity. She assures her young readers that there is nothing scary
about tarot; rather, it is a wonderful tool that we can all use to view
the “big picture” of our lives, or answer everyday questions about
specific concerns.
In addition to a bit of history and tips on getting to know the tarot
cards, Abadie covers a variety of approaches to learning tarot – from
recognizing the importance of color and archetypal symbolism to getting
comfortable with card spreads and allowing one’s intuition to speak.
Each card is reviewed in detail (illustrations and examples feature the
famous Rider-Waite-Smith deck). The format of the book also includes
“key words” for each card and a lovely assortment of quotes in the
margins. The best part, however, is the inclusion of many appealing
games, ideas and exercises designed to engage the reader’s intuition
and creative abilities, and to recognize the power held in images to
open gateways to our unconscious, allowing us to access our own precious
wisdom within.
As with the other teen books mentioned here, this is an excellent
resource not just for teens, but for adults who are new to the subject
matter or simply want a fresh view on working with (in this case) Tarot.
Teen Psychic: Exploring Your Intuitive
Spiritual Powers
Julie Tallard Johnson
(Bindu Books,
2003; $14.95)
 This
is another really wonderful book for teens, especially those who are
interested in digging deeper into the nature of self. Johnson, a
psychotherapist and mentor of young adults, covers a wide range of
topics, from understanding chakras, energy and our own innate psychic
abilities to discerning the difference between fantasy and imagination.
She investigates the path of the shaman and the wonders of journeying,
the power of dream visions, activating psychic vision, meeting one’s
power animals and learning how to make decisions with heart.
Johnson includes real-life stories of teens she has counseled as well
as ancient stories and myths. Because she draws bits of wisdom (in the
form of poems, ideas, quotes) from a diverse group of teachers, authors,
philosophers and more, the book is presented as a rich buffet, with
plenty to choose from, whatever one’s interests. As with the other
teen books mentioned, there is strong emphasis on exercises, games,
meditations and projects to provide readers with a fun yet meaningful
adventure through topics such as grounding, breathing, centering,
letting go, visualizing and uncording. Also highlighted is the unusual
and creative – from making a manifestation bowl and creating a spiral
walk to meeting your future self. This is a powerful book that offers
much to teens – and adults.
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I
Ching For Teens: Take Charge of your Destiny with the Ancient
Chinese Oracle
By Julie Tallard Johnson (Bindu Books, 2001, softcover, $14.95)
As author Julie Tallard Johnson
notes, "The I Ching is to be taken seriously. It is an oracle, a
Wisdomkeeper that you can rely on and to which you can bring all your
concerns." Though the I Ching has ancient roots and many
interpretations, Johnson's version is especially geared for teens.
As a psychotherapist who works
primarily with young adults and the author of other books for teens,
Johnson does a first-rate job of providing a deeply intuitive yet
fresh approach for young people who desire to working with the I Ching
as a source of inner guidance.
Each hexagram is accompanied by a
relevant quote (from Rumi to Frank Lloyd Wright), a short commentary
with real-life examples applicable to teens, further explanation of
each of the six lines making up the hexagram, along with additional
questions, suggestions and considerations for teens to make sense of
their hexagram "answer."
Johnson's style is friendly,
engaging and very creative. I'd recommend this book not only as a gift
for a teenager but as a useful addition to the library of any adult
who works regularly with or would like to learn more about the
undeniably profound messages that can come through consulting the I
Ching.
~ Review by Dawn Brunke
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Teen
Witch: Wicca for a New Generation
By Silver Ravenwolf (Llewellyn, 2002, softcover, $12.95)
If the title sends you into a
tizzy or you're freaking out because your teenager wants to read about
such a thing, then this is the book for you! Silver Ravenwolf,
prolific author, Director of the International Wiccan/Pagan Press
Alliance, and mother of four young children, offers an intriguing,
educational, fun and yet no-nonsense approach to understanding what
Wicca is (a legitimate earth-based religion) and what it is not (black
magic or devil worship).
Though the book is aimed at teens,
Ravenwolf includes an introduction just for parents in which she
discusses the very real concerns that many parents may have about
their children exploring other religions such as Wicca. As a mother,
she also offers some sage advice: listen to your kids; let them tell
you what they are feeling; allow them to explore different religions
and discover meaning and spirituality within themselves.
Ravenwolf presents teens a deeper
look at witchcraft, noting that wearing black or threatening others
with curses will never make one a witch. Indeed, much of this book is
about dispelling sensationalistic views, not only of the occult but of
witchcraft in particular. Although there are plenty of creative things
for teens to implement (from magical daydreaming to creating a
personal sacred space), there is also a good deal of information about
what Wicca does not entail (torturing animals, hurting others,
disrespecting the earth) as well as some helpful general guidelines
for exploring oneself and the world.
This is a wonderful book for any
teen with interests in metaphysics. It is also an excellent book for
adults who are unfamiliar with or perhaps even afraid of witchcraft.
Not only is Ravenwolf a skilled writer with engaging humor and
perceptive insights, but also she is clear and knowledgeable about the
truly fascinating religion of Wicca.
~ Review by Dawn Brunke
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Crystal
Meditation ~ A Book of Meditation with Crystals and Cards
By Sue Parlett (Thorsons, 2002, boxed set includes softcover
meditation book, 17 crystals and 10 interactive meditation cards,
$24.95)
 While
the first portion of this book overviews the power of crystal healing,
the chakras, meditation and color therapy, it also introduces us to
the crystals included in this boxed set: amethyst, adventurine,
carnelian, clear quartz, rose quartz, sodalite, tiger’s eye and
yellow calcite. The remainder of the book (and it is more of a booklet
actually, of only 32 pages, though this is not to say it isn’t full
of some delightful and engaging material) focuses on ten mediations,
each designed to allow a mental and physical journey inward as one
places various stones upon the corresponding large, colorful and
beautifully illustrated meditation cards.
The cards and meditations focus on
different adventures, including the Crystal River and Tree of Self,
Swimming in the Rainbow, the Valley of Abundance, and Marvels of the
Universe. Although the meditations are somewhat specifically focused,
there is certainly room for expansion and blossoming one’s own
creativity. My 8-year-old daughter loved the set and we spontaneously
made up a game of choosing a card and moving the crystals upon the
cards while telling a story. There are many possibilities here, and
that is why it’s a fine introduction to crystals and meditation.
This set is a perfect gift for older children, teens and adults,
especially for those with interests in opening to the world of
healing, crystals and meditation.
~ Review by Dawn Brunke
Karen Kimball
& The Dream Weaver’s Web
By Cynthia Sue Larson (iUniverse, 2003, $12.95 ~ see www.realityshifters.com)
As bioenergetic field researcher Cynthia
Sue Larson asks, “How can a girl who talks to spirits and animals
ever fit in?” This is the gist of Larson’s first novel, written
primarily for young adults, though certainly a great read for us
“older adults” too. Ten-year-old Karen Kimball feels like she
doesn’t belong. The odd one in her family, sensitive and a loner,
Karen is just discovering her ability to sense the thoughts of others
and travel outside her body when she is sent to swim camp for the
summer. Although shy and uncertain, Karen makes friends with cabin
mates and the camp’s cooks, Gill and Charlotte, who provide
guidance, support and encouragement as a dangerous mystery unfolds.
“You are connected to all that is, so the spirit in all that is
talks to you through everything around you,” Charlotte explains to
Karen, encouraging her to trust her senses, feelings and intuition
above superficial appearances.
This is a fun, exciting, fast-paced book
that would be an excellent introduction for any teen or preteen
interested in learning more about opening to psychic ability. Although
it is not a “how-to,” kids will definitely get a sense of how so
much more is possible than we often believe. This is a great story for
kids to enjoy alone or to read together as a family during long winter
evenings.
~ Review by Dawn Brunke
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Side Effects: A Look into the Drug Industry Review by Dawn Brunke
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Side Effects Written and Directed by Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, 2005. Starring Katherine Heigl. For more, see www.sideeffectsthemovie.com |  |
A few years after graduating from college with a degree in political science, Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau was recruited to become a sales representative in the pharmaceutical industry. She was amazed—what did she know about selling legal drugs? Just as her counterpart, Karly Hert (played by Katherine Heigl) in the not-so-far-from-reality Indie film Side Effects portrays, Slattery-Moschkau discovered she was chosen more for how she looked than what she knew. She also found that the benefits of working for the industry—a company car, fat expense account, gifts from manufacturers, not to mention a healthy salary and bonuses—made it difficult to “just say no” and quit.
However, like Hert portrays in the film, Slattery-Moschkau did come up with an intriguing solution: to tell the doctors the truth about what she was selling. This led to yet another surprise, for even when flat-out denying the superior efficacy of her company’s drugs, Slattery-Moschkau was shocked to find that her sales soared. “It was like the more direct and more honest I was, the more they respected what I had to say,” she said in an interview with USA Today.
Side Effects is part expose, part drama—a compelling conglomeration of facts (offered documentary-style throughout the film), fiction (the marketing of a fictional antidepressant drug called Vivexx), love story, and snippets from Slattery-Moschkau’s own experiences during her 10 years as a pharmaceutical sales rep.
Although Side Effects is a low-budget film (Slattery-Moschkau turned down a Hollywood offer that entailed modifying it), it is a decent, well-made movie that held my interest. It seems to offer a fair glimpse behind the scenes of both the pharmaceutical and medical worlds, such as showing overworked doctors having precious little time to educate themselves in the plethora of new drugs saturating the market. This is unfortunate, of course, but not nearly as unfortunate as the manipulations choreographed by big drug companies, whose bottom line appears to reside more with sales and profits than with the health of patients.
Clearly, not everyone in the pharmaceutical industry is in it for money and it is true that many drugs do save lives. However, the film also points out the other side: that pharmaceutical manufacturers are not often completely honest in releasing data—including some very important facts, such as the number of patients who have died using certain drugs. Many times, in fact, names of the original researchers of the drugs are not included in the published reports as their findings contradict the advertised efficacy and safety of that drug.
Side Effects offers a well-grounded, wake-up call to all those who use (and prescribe) prescription drugs. It’s not an overly sensationalistic movie, and because Slattery-Moschkau draws from her own personal development, we also see how entangled and jaded so many sales representatives in this industry become.
A bonus to this DVD is Money Talks, a documentary on the influence “Big Pharma” has on the medical profession, media, and patients. It features interviews with doctors, researchers, journalists and others in both the medical and pharmaceutical worlds.
Dawn Brunke is the editor of Alaska Wellness and author of Animal Voices and Awakening to Animal Voices. See www.animalvoices.net for more.
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 Cycle Savvy:
The Smart Teen’s Guide to the Mysteries of her Body
Toni Weschler
(Collins, 2006; soft-cover, $14.95)
Another excellent book from Toni Weschler, this one aimed at
girls aged 14 to 18. Toni skips the basic “what to expect from
your period” spiel (usually designed for younger girls) and
dives right in to “those hip, happenin’ hormones.” Indeed, right
from the start Toni encourages girls to celebrate their bodies
for the awesome, miraculous abilities we women share. More than
that, she works to educate readers with self-empowering
knowledge so we can be more informed about our bodies.
The book includes many colored diagrams (from ovulation and
fertilization to how to chart your temperature) as well as
photos, cartoons and drawings. Also included—and probably very
helpful to most teens—are many ‘true life’ sharings from women
of all ages. Let’s be clear that this book is for mature teens
who want to know more about their body. It is upfront with
everything from gynecological exams to sexually transmitted
infections, from observing cervical fluid to thought-provoking
questions and guidance on how to know if you are ready for sex.
What I most like about this book is Toni’s obvious desire to
help educate, empower and champion young women to become better
informed about who we are as physical beings. Well-written,
helpful, encouraging and well-intentioned, this is an excellent
book to share with your favorite ‘smart teen.’
~ Keila Swan
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