Most of you know by this time that The Truth (I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything) is about to be released in China in an expanded version.  It will include both English and Chinese and over 35 Diary entries that have never been seen in this country!  The title there will be: How an American Girl Grows Up.   Having my book appear in a major country, such as China, for kids and adults to read is a true blessing. 
 
Over the past year so many moms, kids, teachers, grandmas and others have given the book great endorsements and also wonderful feedback, support and wisdom.  I have listened carefully to all of you.  In fact, already in the Chinese version I have incorporated aspects of what you have been saying.  And there will be more changes when The Truth is reprinted and of course your feedback has influenced the second book which I have just finished!  Look for it within six months.  In the second book, Secrets, the girl is a year older.  Lots of adventures and challenges happen.  So stay tuned.
 
Meanwhile,  I thought you would enjoy reading one of the excerpts from the Chinese version of The Truth, NEVER seen before in this country:
 
"My mother took me over to my new school.  It is gigantic.  I never saw such a big building except the hospital.
The principal was very nice to me.  His name is Mr. Palmquist.  He is old.  I think about 55.   I can't imagine him being mean to the kids. He showed me the classrooms and the lockers in the hallways.  Then we went to see the cafeteria that had beautiful paintings on the walls.  He said that long ago when artists didn't have any work, President Roosevelt had a plan.  Let them all paint beautiful paintings on public buildings and the government would pay them. 
So a bunch of them came to this school and decorated the cafeteria and some of the hallways. 
I can't wait to eat in the cafeteria.
Mr. Palmquist said that he had picked a very nice homeroom teacher for me and I should be very happy there.
I hope I will be happy.  Right now I'm just scared and I miss everyone and I wish we had never moved.  And that's the truth."
 
As you can see, this excerpt deals with the girl starting school in a new town.  She is scared, as most of us are, when new things are happening.   There are many issues in the above short episode for mom and daughter to talk about.  Adjusting to new circumstances is an universal situation we all face.  From my point of view, as a positive psychologist, the 'girl' is a fictional character in and of herself, but she is also a jumping off point for really important topics, that have lots of feelings and issues surrounding them, that we all need to process at one time or another.
 
Keep sharing your feelings and ideas!  After all, the third book is already on the horizon.
 

 

Warmly,

 

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein