1996 Just Plan It

Daily Organizer

Group Publishing, $7.99

ISBN 1-55945-782-1

Get It All Together in '96

Kids have a lot to keep track of these days:

Addresses and phone numbers
Church and youth group meetings
Class schedules and homework
Sports and after-school activities
Work schedules and holidays

They probably need a daily organizer to keep up with it all, and Mike and Amy Nappa have already designed one for them to use in 1966.

The organizer (some of us older types might call it an "appointment book") is divided into weeks of the year with space for writing each day.

On a page facing the spaces for each week is a devotional readingÑperhaps a "thought stirrer" would be more accurate. These readings are relevant and right-on. They cover many topics: family relationships, drinking alcoholic beverages, playing tricks on others, romantic relationships, etc. In admonishing Christian principles, the authors are never preachy. On the other hand, they aren't too hip and full of teen slang either. A related Bible verse heads the calendar page.

The clearly marked Action Plan at the conclusion suggests a positive action related to the reading for the week. Here's an Action Plan for the reading titled "Beauty is Power":

People use all kinds of tools to make over their appearance. For example, they use hair gel to change their hair, clothes to mask their weight, and makeup to cover skin blemishes. On paper, list at least seven "tools" you could use in a make-over for your heart. After you have your list, select one tool and use it each day this week.

Got a kid in mind that you'd like to see start the new year on a new foot? Slip him or her a copy of 1966: Just Plan It.