Rethinking Adolescence: Using Story to Navigate Life's Uncharted Years

Jay D'Ambrosio has given us a birds-eye view of the trials and tribulations that face adolescents as they grow into adulthood. He has skillfully woven the use of myths, stories, movies, and song into practical approaches for adult role models to connect with 'young people at the level of the heart.' This book addresses the issue of low self-esteem [among] adolescents and offers viable solutions for parents, teachers, counselors, and coaches to help young people deal with this challenging issue. (John H. Stephens, Ph.D., chairman of the Education Department, Grove City College, Grove City, Pa.)

Without question, books, movies and myths tell the stories of our lives. Enter Jay D' Ambrosio... [who] helps us recognize the importance of using stories to reach out to adolescents, assisting them in identifying personal issues and problems through stories; he reminds adolescents to seek emotional guidance and support through the process of using stories as educational and healing tools. Jay's book is enchanting. He uses the idea of teaching adolescents to connect their thoughts to their hearts through the process of understanding, in the most meaningful sense, the importance of relating their own life stories to the words of authors from all over the world. You will quickly appreciate his intelligent insight and wisdom. (Gary Solomon, MPH, M.S.W., Ph.D., and author of Cinemaparenting, The Motion Picture Prescription, Reel Therapy and A Psychiatric Diagnostic Primer)

Finally, a mythic guide to the first great initiatory journey. Joseph Campbell showed us the pattern, now Jay D'Ambrosio applies it to adolescence. This book shows the challenges and opportunities of youth through exciting adventures from ancient myth. Rethinking Adolescence is a must-read for parents, teachers, and counselors who care about those going through the most difficult of all life-stage transitions. (Jonathan Young, Ph.D., psychologist and founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives)

Jay D' Ambrosio clearly understands the needs and challenges of adolescents. His innovative book is an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, and counselors to use the power of story in films and books to reach young people on a deep level. (Birgit Wolz, Ph.D., author of Emotion Picture Magic: A Movie Lover's Guide to Healing and Transformation and www.cinematherapy.com)

Jay D' Ambrosio is an ancient history teacher, mentor, and conflict mediator at Seneca Valley Middle School in Harmony, Pennsylvania. To visit his website, go to: http://www.eteaching101.com/