On the Homefront: A Family Survival Guide

ON THE HOMEFRONT is a book about all different kinds of families. It talks about two-parent families, one-parent families, families with adopted children, families with no children, and families with foster children. This book talks about improving communication with your family and gives 8 things every family needs. Read the book for find out what they are! Since I'm a middle child, I liked the chapter about the difference your birth order makes. I also liked that the author put questions at the end of each chapter. Answer the questions makes you think about what you read so you really learn the lesson it's trying to teach you. I also thought it was cool the way there was a fictional story at the beginning of each chapter. The stories get you in the mood for what you're going to read.

This author writes about all kinds of families from the perspective of an adoptive, biological, step, and foster mom. She gives practical advice on sibling relationships, communication skills, and surviving in any kind of family. I encourage all families with preteens or early teens to sit down and read this book together.

This book is very helpful for youth from adoptive, single parent, foster, and step families. Families don't have to consist of two parents and two children to have a happy, successful home. Youth from any kind of home can learn skills such as communicating, solving conflicts, and fighting fairly, that will help them better cope in any relationship.

Finally a Christian book that acknowledges that not all families are two parents/two children. This book helps children realize that whatever kind of family they have -- one parent, stepparent, adoptive, grandparent or other -- is okay. The book emphasizes that all families can be fulfilling families with God's help. Great resource for youth leaders, teachers and others working with youth in non traditional families as well as traditional families. Good interactive book to help children take a look at their families and what God has in mind for all families.

Cassel's second book takes a look at families (traditional and non-traditional) from a long-negliected perspective--that of kids! She uses a biblical base, fictional stories, and the experiences and comments from kids of all ages to learn what being in a family is all about. The book covers topics from why families were created, to communicating with parents, to fighting fair with siblings to birth order issues. The book not only gives great information, but includes discussion quertions to get conversation flowing as well.