The Teenage Guide to Success is a self-help book by Colton Fidelman. The book is a compilation of advice from multiple successful people of diverse professions. The chapters are topics into which the interviewees’ advice has been consolidated. The book discusses various matters that relate to teenagers and their self-improvement.
Below is the book review:
The book was challenging to read in a myriad of ways. Firstly, the writing is casual and similar to texting. Additionally, the paragraphs are small and switch between topics quickly, making it hard to focus while reading. Secondly, the lack of commas separating clauses and phrases made me read a few sentences more than once for clarity. Thirdly, a trigger warning should’ve been mentioned as the book mentions sensitive topics such as suicide, depression, sexual abuse, self-harm, and more.
Regarding the content itself, the advice from the interviewees has been grouped into chapters based on relevant topics for teenagers. The author has also provided actions that teenagers can implement to begin self-improvement.
However, there are credibility issues with the content. Firstly, professionals such as therapists or psychologists have not validated this content. This is especially required when the author writes about sensitive topics. Secondly, the author provides guidance on career, life, and relationships but has limited personal experience at this young age. It seems illogical for a teenager to give advice or actions on how another teenager can improve their life and relationships and work towards a successful career. Some advice given is not ideal for a teenager.
While publishing a book at a young age is commendable, the opportunity to converse with successful people could’ve been used better. This book would have been more effective as a collection of interview transcripts. The author could’ve interviewed successful people on the same topics mentioned in the book, and the chapters could’ve been snippets of the interview transcripts per the topic.
While Colton’s book is a feat at his age, the book could have benefitted from a professional editor in multiple ways.
I recently purchased the book for my 13-year-old sons who said they could relate to the book because it’s written by a teenager, for teenagers.
Colton’s advice is driven by his own experiences hitting rock bottom and overcoming obstacles in his young life, so he could relate to my boys in ways I simply can’t. Interviews with successful entrepreneurs, entertainers, and sports stars made their stories all the more accessible and impactful.