This week, the following review of Been There, Survived That appeared at Jersey Shore Moms.com:

Who knows better how to survive the dreaded freshman year of high school than the very people who have lived through that first year? Lively and humorous, this compact instruction manual to making the most of freshman year provides realistic advice that will help teens navigate the social and academic complexities of high school, including adjusting to a new school, making new friends, and dealing with new teachers.

One of the coolest aspects of BEEN THERE, SURVIVED THAT, our featured book of the month, is that four real teens wrote it. Seriously. They wrote the entire book, and they made it their mission to fill you in on the stuff they wish they'd known about freshman year.  They also included humorous tips on what NOT to do, as well as funny freshman year horror stories.

One of the sections in the book is the Social Advice section, and it offers info on everything from getting to know upper classman to avoiding a personality overhaul. Here's a sticky situation you might have to deal with: what do you do if your best friend starts dating and you're not? The Social Advice section addresses this issue, including the Top 5 Reasons It's Better to Be Single. 

Wondering what they are? As a reader of our blog, you get a sneak peak at the list! 

Top 5 Reasons It's Better to Be Single: 

1. You don't have to worry about commitments.
2. You never feel guilty about hanging out with your friends.
3. You won't be known as so-and-so's boyfriend/girlfriend.
4. You have more free time (and money).
5. You don't have to worry about shaving.

If you want to read more funny lists and helpful advice, click on the free downloadables section to check out a free sample of the book! Or go to our website www.zestbooks.net to buy a copy for yourself or a friend. 

Enjoy your looooong weekend!

Your friends at Zest Books

You may have heard the famous President Roosevelt quote: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Sure, Roosevelt was talking about a 1933 US bank crisis at the time, but I'm sure he would agree that his quote is equally applicable to your first year of high school. Basically, freshman year is scary because it is the total unknown, and of course you are full of questions. How are you going to assimilate to your new social kingdom? Get in good with teachers? Survive the lunchroom? Create a good excuse for handing homework in late? Or fake a sick day when you just need a day off?

A few blogs ago, we mentioned a new Zest book, BEEN THERE, SURVIVED THAT. Divided into Social, Academic, and Practical sections of advice, BEEN THERE, SURVIVED THAT provides the answers to those daunting freshman year questions. BEEN THERE, SURVIVED THAT also includes humorous tips on what NOT to do, as well as funny freshman year horror stories. 

It is also our featured book of the month. So click HERE to check out a free sample from the book!

Remember: No matter how nervous you are to enter high school, the good news is that you will come out of it alive—and BEEN THERE, SURVIVED THAT can help.

We wanted to say thanks to everyone that participated in our book-a-day FASHION 101 contest last week.

The winners are Crash, Kaitlin, Becky, Andrea and Keisha, the lovable pony-tailed library dog! Check out their favorite summer emsembles in our fashionista photo album.

Also, thanks to everyone who came over to Enchanting Review last night to chat with Karen & Arne, authors of INDIE GIRL.