Book Cover Design Contest

$50 cash prize
The contest is open to kids and teens ages 10-14

The Smart Start Guide to Junior High is finished, but it needs a book cover. We have a professionally designed cover; however, we thought the job of designing a cover would be better suited for someone more familiar with the book’s content—kids and teens.

Book Summary:  Junior High, also known as Middle School in some places, is an exciting time filled with many changes for both kids and parents. The Smart Start Guide to Junior High answers questions that kids commonly ask about starting junior high. Meeting new friends, talking with teachers and managing homework are a few of topics covered in the book. Each chapter also includes a section called, “The Parent Locker” with tools and information for parents about their changing role during the junior high years.

 Contest Rules: 

<!--[he contest is open to kids and teens age 10 -14.

<!--[All book cover designs must measure 5 ½” wide by 8 ½” high.

<!--[The only required parts of the design are the book’s title, “The Smart Start Guide to Junior High” and the author’s name, “Joe Bruzzese”.  

<!--[If the design is created with a computer program please save the file in either gif, jpg or pdf format.

<!--[If the design is hand drawn, color may be added with crayons, colored pencils or markers.

<!--[Create and enter as many designs as you like.

<!--[All designs must be received by Friday, July 13^th in order to qualify for the contest.

<!--[Designs will be posted, without the designer’s name or contact information, at http://www.squidoo.com/thinking-forward/ beginning Sunday, July 15^th. Voting begins on Monday, July 16^th and ends on Saturday, July 21^st. Anyone can vote, however you may only vote once, so tell your friends to vote for you. Visit the web site, http://www.squidoo.com/thinking-forward/ for more information about how to vote for your favorite design.

<!--[If you have any questions about the contest send an email to contest@thinking-forward.com

<!--[Did we mention the winning designer receives a cash prize of $50?

Book cover designs may either be submitted via regular mail to:

Thinking Forward

417 Pitzer Court

Goleta, CA 93117

Please include the entrant’s contact information, including email address and phone number, so we can contact you if you win.

Or by e-mail to:

contest@thinking-forward.com

If you are sending a design by email please send the computer file in one of the following formats:  jpg, gif or pdf.

I want to encourage any parents who feel that school should be work (school)  time and home should be family / fun time, to visit www.nohomework.com   The only way we can hopefully make a difference is to spread the word and speak up.

Krisi

My daughter has just finished 6th grade. It just seems that they are so far ahead of the game - a couple of them have "boy friends" and although they can only get together in groups, there is alot of kissing and hugging and hanging around together. I do always make certain a parent is in the house they are at. But this behavior still goes on.

Is this really appropriate for their age?.

As we know today, we woman and our girls, are bombarded with tv, mags, etc. showing us mostly only perfect bodied girls / women. I don't know that times have changed much though. I remember when I was 10 yrs old (27 yrs ago), I quit gymnastics (a sport I loved and was decent at), because I realized as I started looking around especially at the professional gymnasts on tv, those girls were flat-chested. (Back then, I didn't realize that the suits pretty much flattened out what they may of had, nor did I appreciate the all around firmness of their body everywhere else! Something very meaningful to me today!). It is a shame that I was concerned so much about my physical appearance at that age, that I would go as far as quitting something I really enjoyed. I realize now that this over awareness of MY BODY at that young age was mostly due to my Mothers comments about herself. She did not have a positive self image about her body, especially about her small breasts. Since then, I have learned from that and I've been very careful about what I say in front of my daughter. I MAKE myself make comments (that I still hear that stupid voice in my head screaming "LIAR"!), in front of her like... I like my body, I look good, I am in great shape for my age... etc.

Although I believe we should teach them to like themselves for who they are and accept the body God has given them, I still think we as parents are smart to make healthier food choices in front of our kids and to exercise, for our own benefit and theirs. Whatever we can do to help them,and us to not become overweight, is just plain healthier and smarter anyway.

Just over the past 3 months, my daughter has become concerned much more with what she eats and with wanting to exercise (she is 14). At first I was concerned... but I have talked with her about it and feel she is not headed for an eating disorder. Rather than me trying to go on about how she doesn't need to worry..., I told her she is beautiful just the way she is and that I understand and admire her for wanting to do something (instead of just complaining) about staying in shape. I told her she is smart to establish good healthy eating habits along with a consistant exercise program at such a young age. I feel if I support her, she will be more inclined to keep communication open with me.

During the summer break, we are going to work out together 3 days a week. Not only will this be a good habit to start at her age (and good for me at my age!), but I hope it will create good memories and a closer bond between us!

I just started reading a book yesterday. I am only on chapter 2, but I feel this book may be very beneficial to any parents whose kids may be struggling with any part of their physical appearance right now. It is authored by James Dobson and titled "The New Hide or Seek".

Krisi

My 11 year old daughter just got her hair chopped off for a good cause-- the Locks of Love program--http://www.locksoflove.org/.  Some friends at school have done it, and she decided to make the commitment.  It's hard to let your hair grow out 10 inches, which is the length that is needed to make a wig for a child cancer patient.  She takes ballet, and getting all that hair into a bun is a chore!  But, you get used to it. Then, you get it cut-- and it ends up being short, short!!  I am proud of her, though. Making a big change in your appearance at this age feels a little scary. She took the initiative and followed it through, knowing that she could make a difference in another childs' life.  Her new short hair is so cute, even though she can't figure out what to do with it all the time. 

These are some tough years to get through with your kids-- attitude, hormones, pulling away, feeling misunderstood-- so it's nice to see glimpses of our them doing something to benefit others.  I hope I can learn by her example!