Rating: 
Summary: Annoying
Review: This book might possibly be helpful if you're a teenager with no real problems. Jay McGraw uses himself as an example of the "average" teenager, trying to forget that he is an OK-looking, athletic son of a rich, famous guy who started the whole "Life Strategies" phenomenon in the first place. Jay's examples of problems (and subsequent triumphs) include when he was injured on the basketball court, felt sorry for himself for a while, and then worked hard at getting back into shape for the next basketball season; another "problem" was being nervous about asking his girlfriend to the prom. Sheesh, if these are your worst problems, do you even need a book like this?Let's talk about real problems many teenagers face: a variety of physical and emotional abuse, violence, health problems, poverty, coercive school and penal systems, and the reality of sexism, racism, homophobia, and classism that a rich, young, white, male, straight kid like Jay knows nothing about. Having these problems forced upon one is not the equivalent to making a bunch of "excuses" for not getting good grades or being popular or avoiding drugs. It was also hard to ignore the blatant sexist examples, such as the girl who is a "tease," while the similarly flirtatious boy goes unmentioned. (Why doesn't he just be honest about his double standard by calling her a "(...)" instead of the euphemism "tease"?) I have respect for Dr. Phil McGraw, partly because he seems to be a self-made person. But his older son is little more than an arrogant, spoiled, sheltered (...) who won't admit to riding his dad's coattails.
Rating: 
Summary: Direction for a lost teenager
Review: This book really got me on track for success in high school and life. I received it as a Christmas present in my freshman year and it is one of the reasons that I am still in one piece.
Coasting in high school is a common ailment of my class and this book helps you see what the problems with coasting are, why you do it and what you can do about it.
The format was well thought out. The beginning of each chapter starts with why you need to read that chapter and the end finishes with a lightbulb box that highlights the important parts you should remember. It is concise and really addresses what you need as a teen and not what your parents want you to do. But, it also steers you towards the "right" decisions, highlighting the payoffs of your harmful behavior and making you realize the error of your ways.
All in all, this book is excellent for teens who know they can do more and do better but really don't know how to go about changing themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Changed My Mindset & Thinking Habits
Review: This book was quite excellent. As a thirteen-year-old girl, it sure got me in gear! My twelfth year was spent trying to fit in with the crowd, dismiss good grades, and wear tight clothing. Now, thanks to this book, I have newfound self-esteem, willpower, and goals which I am reaching one by one! My aunt, a huge fan of Dr. Phil, gave it to me for Christmas. I am already a different person. It helps so much with self-esteem issues, peer pressures, goal-setting and other teen dilemmas and issues. I definitely recommend it to all teenagers who want to get their life in gear! It helps so much, but only if you allow it. This is not the kind of book that you can just skim through. You've got to read it and take action, take it to heart, in order for those Life Strategies to work in your life. I'm telling you, it's so helpful! Thanks Jay! One last thing, however, I would like to direct to those who thought Jay McGraw was copycatting Dr. Phil's book- NO KIDDING! Where've you been? This book is the same as LIFE STRATEGIES, but it's just been rewritten for teenage understanding. And, also, the rich have their problems, too. Maybe Jay hasn't had to work hard for his popularity or money, but I'm sure it's obviously something he knows a lot about- THINK ABOUT IT! He has DR. PHIL for a father. Please try not to be so critical. Not everyone's perfect, and perfection is only in the eye of the beholder- there is no real perfection. No reality, just perception!
Rating:
Summary: Changed My Mindset & Thinking Habits
Review: This book was quite excellent. As a thirteen-year-old girl, it sure got me in gear! My twelfth year was spent trying to fit in with the crowd, dismiss good grades, and wear tight clothing. Now, thanks to this book, I have newfound self-esteem, willpower, and goals which I am reaching one by one! My aunt, a huge fan of Dr. Phil, gave it to me for Christmas. I am already a different person. It helps so much with self-esteem issues, peer pressures, goal-setting and other teen dilemmas and issues. I definitely recommend it to all teenagers who want to get their life in gear! It helps so much, but only if you allow it. This is not the kind of book that you can just skim through. You've got to read it and take action, take it to heart, in order for those Life Strategies to work in your life. I'm telling you, it's so helpful! Thanks Jay! One last thing, however, I would like to direct to those who thought Jay McGraw was copycatting Dr. Phil's book- NO KIDDING! Where've you been? This book is the same as LIFE STRATEGIES, but it's just been rewritten for teenage understanding. And, also, the rich have their problems, too. Maybe Jay hasn't had to work hard for his popularity or money, but I'm sure it's obviously something he knows a lot about- THINK ABOUT IT! He has DR. PHIL for a father. Please try not to be so critical. Not everyone's perfect, and perfection is only in the eye of the beholder- there is no real perfection. No reality, just perception!
Rating: 
Summary: The most un-dysfunctional household ever
Review: This is a motivational book of the highest quality from Jay, the teenage son of Philip McGraw, bestselling writer of motivational literature. I'm afraid the book loses a star though as I think the author's dad helped him with his homework.
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