Dreams to Reality: Help for Young Moms: Education, Career, and Life Choices »

Laura Haskins-Bookser has worked as a corporate trainer, teaching cross-cultural, compassionate, and crisis communication. She has also spent time working for literacy programs and hosts a website (www.hasbooks.com) devoted to empowering girls, young women, and single mothers. She lives in Imperial Beach, California.

This story shows the importance of keeping hope alive, even when it seems impossible—when the hard work of parenting is compounded by the unfinished business of growing up and making plans for the future. Without judgment, this book lays out helpful guidelines and possible pitfalls that face a young, single woman who cares for her child but refuses to lose her ambition. Money management, relationship issues, funding higher education, and other ways to start fresh without starting over are discussed. By rethinking options, reevaluating plans, and working hard, young mothers can learn to integrate their new families into their plans for themselves, and get back on track to realizing their dreams.

Diane Emge - VOYA

This author assumes the role of older-and-wiser big sister in this narrative of her experiences as a single parent. She begins with the moment that she realized that she was pregnant, recognizing that her life was now dramatically different from her carefree friends' lives. Haskins-Bookser made a disastrous attempt at marriage and finally ended up struggling alone to support herself and her daughter. The crux of her story rests on her decision to make a list of "THINGS I WILL DO WITH MY LIFE." The first item on her list was "Graduate from college." Haskins-Bookser realistically describes her amazement when she discovered the opportunities available for young mothers who want to continue their education. She works steadily through her list, accomplishing more than she could ever have foreseen. Her message throughout the book is ceaselessly encouraging, and she writes confidently from the strength of her own experience. Although her personal tale provides the main body of the text, the author includes the stories of young women with different experiences, such as Maggie, who chose an open adoption, and Jane, the victim of an abusive relationship. Just as helpful as these personal stories is her inclusion of factual essays titled, Did You Know . . . . In these informational sections she covers topics such as paternal rights, baby safety, and college opportunities. The book reads easily, making it palatable for busy teen mothers struggling to get through the basics of education, but it covers a lot of important ground and it is highly recommended for school and public libraries. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High,defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Morning Glory, 176p.; Index. Illus. Further Reading., Trade pb. Ages 12 to 18.