At last, a book that counteracts popular culture and infuses our nations youth with a sense of purpose.

Favorable reviews continue to roll in from the literary world, School Library Journal...Foreword Magazine...Independent Publisher...Book Ideas...and more.

BERLIN, CT (PRWEB) April 21, 2004 -- The new title, A Winner by Any Standard: A Personal Growth Journey for Every American Teen, is striking a national chord. Written by Rob Garofalo, Jr., the book is a life manual that empowers young people to realize they possess the power to shape themselves, their future lives, and the world itself. Favorable reviews continue to roll in from the literary world, School Library Journal...Foreword Magazine...Independent Publisher...Book Ideas...and more.

A dedicated educator and youth motivational speaker, Garofalo-fondly referred to as Mr. G" in his community-has continued his own education in the areas of esteem building, drug and alcohol intervention, character education, mastery teaching, conflict resolution, childhood depression, bullying, diversity, student leadership, stress management, violence prevention, and grieving.

So many parents of former students have told me that my influence continues to impact their kids lives," says Garofalo, I decided I didnt want to limit the number of young people I help to only those who end up in my classroom." Through the book, he hopes to be a positive authority figure for teens who dont have one, in addition to reinforcing the messages good parents routinely convey. Garofalo believes that as empowering as it is for those young people not receiving guidance to actually receive it, it's equally empowering for those already on a positive path to be affirmed.

The book promotes the ideals of personal character, emotional intelligence, and social action. It consists of 52 challenges or chapters, one for each week. The topics-such as leadership, thinking with purpose, seeing school in a new light, and considering others-promote a wide variety of invaluable skills and behaviors.

Nobody should ever underestimate a young persons intrinsic desire to learn, grow, and evolve," relates the author. So any book that conveys advantageous life knowledge in a meaningful, relevant way will be embraced by many. Not by coincidence, my book does hit on what young people of today live: school, sports, music, image, emotions, television, friends, heroes, dreams, and so forth."

School Library Journal deems A Winner by Any Standard, A wealth of on-target advice in an upbeat and encouraging guidebook...Teens hoping to discover positive ways to improve and enhance their lives will appreciate this book."

More information can be obtained at www.TeenWinners.com or by emailing Kristine Gary at info@teenwinners.com.