Blended

Blended
Author: Samantha Waltz
Publisher: Seal Press
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2015-04-28
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1580055583

95 million adults have a step relationship, according to a 2011 report. That’s 95 million unexpected experiences; 95 million unique perspectives; 95 million laughs, 95 million tears, and 95 million new families. Blended explores stepfamilies from the inside out through the perspectives of thirty writers who know what it’s like first hand. Sometimes funny, often poignant, and always deeply personal, the stories in Blended capture the essence of stepfamilies in all of their weird and wonderful varieties. The journeys range from the first encounters between new step-relatives, to marriages, honeymoons, daily experiences, and divorces. The diverse voices in Blended reflect the realities of today’s world, in which yesterday’s ideas of family structures and types just don’t cut it anymore. Parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins: all of these relationships change when families are melded into one, and the writers of Blended help explore the truth of what these new relationships look like, and, especially, feel like. Blended offers something for everyone: laughter, wisdom, empathy, and guidance, and, above all, the knowledge that you are not alone.

What Makes My Dad Special?

What Makes My Dad Special?
Author: C. Selbherr
Publisher:
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2019-01-06
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 9783947677092

Join little Kate as her mom tells her about all of the things that make her dad such a great person - and why she chose him... just for them.

Striking Out

Striking Out
Author: Musa Okwonga
Publisher: Scholastic UK
Total Pages: 199
Release: 2021-09-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0702307912

The first children's book from superstar England striker, Ian Wright. Striking Out follows the journey of 13-year-old Jerome, who has a dream of becoming a world-class footballer. But with a difficult home life, Jerome can’t see how he’ll ever make this dream come true ... until he meets a mentor figure who can hopefully put him on the right track. From the winning writing team of Musa Okwonga and Ian Wright. Musa Okwonga is an author, poet, journalist and musician; he is a co-host of the Stadio football podcast. Ian Wright is one of the UK’s all-time leading goal scorers. He’s lifted the Premier League title, The FA Cup, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and won the Premier League golden boot.

The Slip

The Slip
Author: Mark Sampson
Publisher: Dundurn
Total Pages: 272
Release: 2017-05-20
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1459735773

In this wickedly funny novel, one bad afternoon and two regrettable comments make the inimitable Philip Sharpe go viral for all the worst reasons. Dr. Philip Sharpe, absent-minded professor extraordinaire, teaches philosophy at the University of Toronto and is one of Canada’s most combative public intellectuals. But when a live TV debate with his fiercest rival goes horribly off the rails, an oblivious Philip says some things to her that he really shouldn’t have. As a clip of Philip’s “slip” goes viral, it soon reveals all the cracks and fissures in his marriage with his young, stay-at-home wife, Grace. And while the two of them try to get on the same side of the situation, things quickly spiral out of control. Can Philip make amends and save his marriage? Is there any hope of salvaging his reputation? To do so, he’ll need to take a hard look at his on-air comments, and to conscript a band of misfits in a scheme to set things right.

The Ring Bearer

The Ring Bearer
Author: Floyd Cooper
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2017-04-04
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0399167404

Mama’s getting married, and Jackson has an important job to do! A story about love, weddings, and the special joy that is a blended family. Jackson’s mama is getting married, and he gets to be the ring bearer. But Jackson is worried . . . What if he trips? Or walks too slowly? Or drops the rings? And what about his new stepsister, Sophie? She’s supposed to be the flower girl, but Jackson’s not sure she’s taking her job as seriously as she should. In a celebration of blended families, this heartwarming story, stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Floyd Cooper, is a perfect gift for any child who's nervous to walk down the aisle at a wedding, and shows kids that they can handle life’s big changes. Praise for The Ring Bearer: "Throughout, Cooper's softly textured mixed-media illustrations offer a warm, affirming depiction of this black family's life and love together . . . Readers will be joining the congregation in cheering for Jackson."--Kirkus Reviews "Written with simplicity, immediacy, and warmth....Cooper creates beautiful effects with subtle colors, textures, and suffused light in the soft-focus paintings. A heartening, reassuring picture book."--Booklist "Children will identify readily with Jackson’s fears and enjoy the way he overcomes them. A solid purchase for any picture book collection."--School Library Journal "Many children experience parental weddings, and these times are filledwith joy and nervousness. Cooper captures each moment."--Horn Book

The Smart Stepdad

The Smart Stepdad
Author: Ron L. Deal
Publisher: Bethany House
Total Pages: 179
Release: 2011-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 144121464X

While resources abound for stepmothers, stepfathers are often left to travel a difficult road without clear directions. Ron Deal offers advice for men navigating the stepfamily minefield, including how to connect with stepchildren, being a godly role model, how to discipline, dealing with the biological dad, and keeping the bond strong with one's new spouse. He gives perspective on what the kids are going through and why things don't work the same as in a biological family. The Smart Stepdad provides essential guidelines to help stepfathers not only survive but succeed as both dad and husband.

The Smart Stepfamily

The Smart Stepfamily
Author: Ron L. Deal
Publisher: Bethany House
Total Pages: 272
Release: 2006
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 076420159X

Each member has their own unique place in a family. Ron Deal explores the myth of the "blended" family offering practical, realistic solutions for stepfamilies.

Childless by Marriage

Childless by Marriage
Author: Sue Fagalde Lick
Publisher:
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2021-06
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 9781733685238

First you marry a man who does not want children. He cheats and you divorce him. Then you marry the love of your life and find out he does not want to have children with you either. The three he has are more than enough. Although you always wanted to be a mother, you decide he is worth the sacrifice, expecting to have a long happy life together. But that's not what happens. This is the story of how a woman becomes childless by marriage and how it affects every aspect of her life. This is the book of my heart, the one I had to write. Ever since I realized I was not going to have children, I have felt recurring grief and an emptiness in my heart. I am different from most women, but I have found that I am not alone. There are many of us childless women, and I think it's important to share our stories about what it's like when you don't have children in a world where most girls grow up to become mothers. I hope this book offers comfort to those who are childless and understanding to those who are not. If it makes you smile here and there, even better.

Date-onomics

Date-onomics
Author: Jon Birger
Publisher: Workman Publishing
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2015-08-25
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 076118208X

It’s not that he’s just not that into you—it’s that there aren’t enough of him. And the numbers prove it. Using a combination of demographics, statistics, game theory, and number-crunching, Date-onomics tells what every single, college-educated, heterosexual, looking-for-a-partner woman needs to know: The “man deficit” is real. It’s a fascinating, if sobering read, with two critical takeaways: One, it’s not you. Two, knowledge is power, so here’s what to do about it. The shortage of college-educated men is not just a big-city phenomenon frustrating women in New York and L.A. Among young college grads, there are four eligible women for every three men nationwide. This unequal ratio explains not only why it’s so hard to find a date, but a host of social issues, from the college hookup culture to the reason Salt Lake City is becoming the breast implant capital of America. Then there’s the math that says that a woman’s good looks can keep men from approaching her—particularly if they feel the odds aren’t in their favor. Fortunately, there are also solutions: what college to attend (any with strong sciences or math), where to hang out (in New York, try a fireman’s bar), where to live (Colorado, Seattle, “Man” Jose), and why never to shy away from giving an ultimatum.

Holly's Heart Collection Three

Holly's Heart Collection Three
Author: Beverly Lewis
Publisher: Bethany House
Total Pages: 448
Release: 2008-10-01
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1585586951

Thirteen-year-old Holly is dealing with the major concerns of every preteen and teenage girl: boys, family, and school. But with the help of her friends and her faith in God, Holly is able to survive her first boyfriend and her first breakup, a crush on her student teacher, and a new baby sister "invading" her house. Volume Three features Freshman Frenzy, Mystery Letters, Eight is Enough, and It's a Girl Thing.