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Keepin' It Real Paperback – January 1, 2002

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 58 ratings
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Anyone who is (or who ever has been) 13 will identify with Leslie's struggles to make sense of her family, her faith, her own thoughts, and the world. Through her letters to God, Leslie deals with questions as big as the very nature of God and as small as why Mom gets so bent out of shape about how the bathroom towels are folded. Sandra Humphrey has done a beautiful job of not only creating a very believable character, but more importantly, of showing young readers how inextricably faith is linked to the issues of everyday life. Lynn Gilliam Associate Editor, Pockets Leslie has just turned 13 -- and she is having a very bad year. Not only is she stuck in a new school where she doesn't know anyone, but she's also stuck in a "life group" at her church where the leader of her small discussion group asks tough questions that she can't answer. Come along and join Leslie on her faith journey as she writes letters to God, and in the process begins to discover answers to some of her problems. Keepin' It Real is sassy and sensitive. It's an honest look at a young girl's struggles -- and insights -- as she faces puberty and searches for faith. Mary Lou Carney Editor-in-chief, Guideposts for Teens Warm, witty, and real, these true-to-life prayers offer delightful windows into the heart of God and every girl who prays to him. Lois Walfrid Johnson Author, The Disappearing Stranger and the Adventures of the Northwoods series Keepin' It Real will help young people all over the world love themselves and God -- and have light and hope in this wild, confusing world. Troy and Genie Nilsson Christian Songwriters Sandra Humphrey takes on all the trials of teenagehood -- pimples, dates, gym class, even parents contemplating divorce -- and gives her readers an idea of just where to turn for help. Rick Hamlin Managing Editor, Guideposts Sandra McLeod Humphrey is a retired clinical psychologist with over 35 years experience working with young people. She is the author of the best-selling volumes If You Had To Choose, What Would You Do? and It's Up To You ... What Do You Do?, and is a regular contributor to My Friend, the Catholic magazine for young people. Humphrey is also a writer and consultant for the Heroes and Dreams Foundation, which supplies character education materials to elementary schools throughout the United States.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    94 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    CSS Publishing Company
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2002
  5. Grade level
    3 - 7
  6. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  7. Dimensions
    5.6 x 0.3 x 8.33 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0788019538
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0788019531
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Deals with tough topics as the reader joins Leslie on her quest to find answers to some of her questions." -- Arden Leali, Minnetonka SunSailor, 2/6/03

"No thee" and "thou" in these letters. No formulas for prayer. Just stark honesty. -- Leader in the Church School Today, Spring 2003

"Takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery as we join 13-year-old Leslie on her own faith journey." -- Alan Caruba, Bookviews, February 2003

"This book will encourage kids to develop a personal relationship with God through prayer in their daily lives." -- Sr. Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, Managing Editor of MY FRIEND, the Catholic Magazine for Kids

"Witty and true to life. A wonderful book for all teens to help them better understand their relationship with God." -- Christina Lewis, KidsBookshelf, March 2003

"Young teens will find comfort as they realize that they are not alone in their search for answers." -- Tammy Moore, Christian Bookshelf Book Review, March 2003

Not a typical book on spirituality for kids. It is casual and realistic and amusing. Highly recommended. -- Anne E. Neuberger, Christian Author and Columnist

Warm, witty, real. These prayers offer delightful windows into the heart of God and every girl who prays to him. -- Lois Walfrid Johnson, Author, The Disappearing Stranger and Adventures of the Northwoods Series

Will help young people everywhere love themselves and God--and have light and hope in this wild, confusing world. --Troy and Genie Nilsson, Christian Songwriters

From the Author

I have dedicated this book to all the young men and women with whom I have worked, both professionally and as a volunteer, and who have taught me far more than I could ever teach them.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CSS Publishing Company (January 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 94 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0788019538
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0788019531
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 17 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.6 x 0.3 x 8.33 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 58 ratings

About the author

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Sandra McLeod Humphrey

Sandra McLeod Humphrey

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Sandra McLeod Humphrey is a retired clinical psychologist, a character education consultant, and an award-winning author of nine middle-grade and young adult books. She's also the recipient of the National Character Education Center's Award for Exemplary Leadership in Ethics Education (2000) and the 2005 Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature. She lives with her husband, one cat, and four dogs (350 pounds of "dog") in Minnetonka, MN. You can learn more about her books by visiting her Website at http://www.kidscandoit.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
58 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rietz
5.0 out of 5 stars Keepin' It Real by Sandra McLeod Humphrey
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2006
Verified Purchase
An amazing book which through letters to God a teen develops her beliefs, finds answers and comfort through her stormy year and concludes with a strong faith and an accepting heart. The book includes humor as it explores the tramas this teen faces. Her letters to God give the wonderful reality of the fabulous relationship one can have with God - talking to him each day. This book is on its way to my teen granddaughter - Thank you Sandy!
3 people found this helpful
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Virginia Chizmar
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book to have middle school girls read
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
Good book to have middle school girls read. I used it when I home-schooled a girl with Asperger's who hasn't experienced many social interactions with her peers that were positive. She liked it so much she asked if she could keep it. Of course I said yes! There are comprehension questions and essay questions online at edhelper.com.
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Lane
3.0 out of 5 stars Peek into the heart of a teen...
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2006
"Dear God, I hope you don't mind if I write you a few letters now and then..."

Peek into the private prayer life of 13-year-old Leslie, through this insightful book. As her life begins to change drastically, Leslie opens up an ongoing correspondence with the only being who never changes. She comes to a self discovery by sorting through her feelings and thoughts on the pages of a journal to God.

As a 19-year-old girl, who began journalling to God at age 13, I can totally relate to the highs and lows of "Keepin' It Real".
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George Sadgebury
4.0 out of 5 stars george1295
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2009
This read, Keepin' It Real: A Young Teen Talks With God by Sandra McLeod Humphrey, was a delight. It is written as a young girl's diary to God. The book opens as the teen converses frankly and directly with God on a number of issues affecting her life. During the course of her written conversations, the girl begins to develop a relationship and Christian maturity with the God that she starts out blaming for all of her ills. If you want a nice Christmas gift for the teenage femme in your life, this might be the one. Mom and Dad would do well to read this one too, particularlly if you are interested in the many challenges that your teen confronts today.
One person found this helpful
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Jo Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Story and An Uplifting Theme.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2006
Keepin' It Real-A Young Teen Talks With God by Sandra McLeod Humphrey is a rare story most will treasure. It's heartfelt look at puberty makes one think back to their own Junior High days and how awkward and alone you feel, the uneasiness of talking to boys, and the horrors of gym lockers and pimples. I enjoyed the book immensely and felt tearful as the protagonist came to terms with her parents fighting and her mothers confusion in her own journey to life. In a way, the book represented to me a young girls love of God and her family, and her journey to realization that our actions directly influence everyone around us and positive actions keep us going on the right track.

The central character is a bright, witty girl of thirteen who feels alone in the world, and with much pressures from school, parents, and the constant battle of trying to keep her nose from being so flat, she still has time to talk to God and pray for help and understanding to the world around her.

I read the book in one sitting, it was exceptionally charming and made me laugh and cry. I would suggest giving this book to a young girl who is preteen or a teenager, so they may see how to handle these problems in life, and not just insignificant ones at that...in one letter to God, she addresses why a student died of meningitis while another lived. It is subjects like these that are brought up with the simple depth a child, while exploring the deeper emotions of someone on the verge of adulthood. I came away from the story realizing not only did I think like that as a teenager, but wondering how Sandra Humphrey got into my diary and my thoughts when I was struggling with these issues years ago. I loved the story, loved the characters, and feel so blessed for being given this book as a gift and hope to see it on the best seller list soon.
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Stephanie Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars "Real" Gem
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2006
Dear Reader,

When you share your most personal thoughts with someone, that's love. When you reveal those thoughts to others because it will help them get through a rough time, that's compassion. In Keepin' It Real, author Sandra Humphrey shares real love and real compassion through Leslie, the new teen in town. When you read the letters Leslie writes to God, you'll see that she has problems, but she's not afraid to admit it. Whether your problems are real big, like maybe your parents are getting divorced, or real small, like maybe you want to know how to talk to that cute guy in your class, Leslie knows how you feel. But she doesn't read newspaper advice columns or depend on her friends for help--she goes straight to the top. She talks honestly with God, sharing her disappointments, triumphs, and challenges. Leader Ms. Wilson is there with advice when Leslie's church discussion group questions get tough. Leslie discovers that God will always listen and that He loves you without question, no matter how messed up your life is. When you finish reading this book, you might wish you could have a friend like Leslie (or Sandra Humphrey), but she would tell you that the best Friend you can have is God.

Faithfully Yours,

Stephanie
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Debra Smart
5.0 out of 5 stars Keepin' It Real by Sandra McLeod Humphrey
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2006
Author, Sandra McLeod Humphrey, invites the reader to join in on a faith journey with the book's main character, Leslie. 13 year-old Leslie not only has to transition to a new school - she has to transition to a new house and a new life group at church. Leslie talks with God through her "Dear God" letters during a difficult teenage time of life. The reader agonizes with Leslie as she wonders if there will be enough seats on the bus, if she'll ever find a friend, or if the boy she likes knows she exists. The reader feels Leslie's frustrations as she endures her mom's healthy "green" blueberry muffins and a math class with a teacher that talks to fast. The reader rejoices as Leslie continues to talk with God, and grow in faith during her first year of junior high school.

Sandra has over 35 years experience as a clinical psychologist working with young people. Her career has provided some wonderful insight into the life of a teenage girl. She has found a fun way to relate to teenagers and their concerns. This book is a great encourager for the reader - young and old - to develop a relationship with God.
One person found this helpful
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