When Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul was published in 1997, and Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul was published in 2000, both books quickly became the go-to source of comfort and advice for a whole generation of teenagers and preteens, selling more than ten million of copies around the world. 

Both books have continued to support teenagers and preteens as they go through adolescence and remain one of the iconic publisher’s most popular classic titles. Today’s parents were the preteens and teenagers who were reading the books two decades ago. They are now buying these new anniversaries editions for their children.

The anniversary editions have been revised and updated, with two dozen brand-new stories added to the existing, classic stories from the first edition. The new stories cover various topics, including being a preteen during the pandemic, social media and technology, and many other modern-day issues. 

According to Amy Newmark, publisher and editor-in-chief of Chicken Soup for the Soul, “Stories that were out of date were removed, so that preteens and teenagers will not feel like they’re reading their parents’ Chicken Soup for the Soul instead of their own.

Being a kid can be tough, and what we hear the most from our young readers is that they don’t feel alone after reading the stories in our books. They realize that other kids their age are sharing the same experiences and emotions. There’s nothing like learning from a peer, someone who’s ‘been there, done that.’ Kids learn best from the experiences of other kids.” 

Join Amy Newmark and me on Tuesday, Aug 17, 10-11 A.M. CT U.S. We will have a conversation about the history and impact of Chicken Soups PreTeens and Teenage Souls have had and will continue to have for the generations.