YESSS! The SUMO Secrets to Being a Positive, Confident Teenager arrived in the office purporting to uncover the secrets of overcoming and also embracing the opportunities and challenges of one of life’s most difficult stages: the teenage years. A big ask. So did it?
Indeed it did.
Paul McGee writes with humour, warmth, and immediacy. I found it easy to read and it certainly reaches those parts ( to corrupt the old lager advertisement ) all too easily hidden amongst the maelstrom of teenage ups and downs.
Immediacy is crucial when one thinks of a teenage world so often lived around, even through, texts, (short and hopefully sweet), Whichever form it takes, communication seems to consist of these soundbites, almost a separate language. So SUMO (Shut up Move on) – in other words, Paul McGee – manages to grab the attention, and support the fluctuating confidence of this age group. He not only hold the attention, but reaches some inner core, ably supported by cracking illustrations from Fiona Osborne.
YESSS! is full of advice that never sounds worthy, but clearly will motivate and equip readers to overcome their insecurities and confusion and create a signpost to parents too. It is supportive, and welcoming at a time when teens can feel lonely, lost, at sea, so too the parents who are frequently at a loss.
Sunday Times bestselling author and speaker, Paul McGee aka The SUMO Guy, shows how to harness practical strategies to:
- Take responsibility for their lives
- Own and understand their feelings
- Build a more positive mindset
- Develop a healthy image of themselves
- Realize that it’s OK to not always feel OK – so important.
- Recover from setbacks and develop perseverance which after all, is what life is all about.
- Aspire, set goals, and dare to dream
It really is helpful to teenagers and those in support. It shows youngsters what it’s like to live with confidence, resilience, hope. Perhaps we should all read it.
I really do think this is one of those helpful books that doesn’t preach, it accompanies the family along the way. Buy it.
Illustrated by Fiona Osborne Published by Capstone, A Wiley Brand, Full colour paperback original and e-book, £12.99
Annie Clarke is the author of the Home Front series.
