Books by Shannon Spires
A-Z: Real Talk: Choices, Consequences & Your Future
Fast choices can have long consequences.
A–Z: Real Talk – Choices, Consequences & Your Future is a bold, honest ABC book created to help middle school students think about the decisions they make—and what can happen next.
From Assault, Burglary, Drugs, Fighting, and Gangs to Peer Pressure, Robbery, Substance Abuse, Weapons, and Your Future, each letter introduces a real issue that young people may encounter while encouraging them to THINK before they act and CHOOSE the path that protects their future.
Drawing from author Shannon Spires’ experience in both education and juvenile justice, Real Talk approaches difficult subjects without labeling young people as “bad kids.” Instead, it opens conversations about accountability, consequences, prevention, rehabilitation, second chances, and the power to make a different next choice.
Perfect for middle school readers, families, educators, counselors, mentors, youth programs, and juvenile justice settings, this book delivers one consistent message:
Your mistakes do not have to define your future.
Pause. Think. Choose. Your future is worth protecting.
I Am NOT Just Shy, I Have Social Anxiety!: An A–Z Children’s Book About Understanding Social Anxiety
Sometimes being quiet is more than just being shy.
I Am NOT Just Shy, I Have Social Anxiety! is a warm, beautifully illustrated A–Z children’s book that gives young readers simple words to describe feelings that can be difficult to explain.
From Anxiety and Busy Thoughts to Understanding, Worry, and eXtra Courage, children explore what social anxiety can feel like on the inside—even when others cannot see it.
Through a relatable young character and child-friendly language, this book reminds children that they are not rude, unfriendly, or unwilling to participate. Sometimes speaking up, joining a group, meeting new people, or simply saying “hi” can require tremendous courage.
Created with a strong social-emotional learning focus, this book also helps parents, caregivers, teachers, counselors, and classmates better understand how patience, kindness, empathy, and encouragement can make social situations feel safer.
Most importantly, young readers are reminded:
I’m not ignoring you.
I’m not being rude.
I’m trying my best.
A thoughtful resource for classrooms, school counseling programs, families, and any child who needs to know that being understood can make all the difference.
I’m Starting With the Troubled Teen in the Mirror: An A–Z Journey of Accountability, Second Chances & Juvenile Justice Reform
What if the first step toward changing a young person’s future begins with changing the way we see them?
I’m Starting With the Troubled Teen in the Mirror is an illustrated A–Z journey through accountability, choices, consequences, healing, rehabilitation, and second chances.
Written by educator, retired law enforcement officer, and juvenile justice professional Shannon Spires, this book challenges the label “troubled teen” while encouraging young people to recognize that their mistakes do not have to become their identity.
From A for Accountability to Z for Zeroing In on Change, readers explore real issues affecting youth—including peer pressure, gangs, trauma, victims, juvenile justice, education, family, intervention, and rehabilitation—through a message rooted in responsibility without giving up hope.
This is not a book about excusing harmful choices. It is about understanding them, taking responsibility for them, learning from them, and discovering what can happen when a young person is given guidance and another opportunity to choose differently.
Created for teens, parents, educators, mentors, juvenile justice professionals, and communities, this book reminds young people of one powerful truth:
Your story is not over. Your next choice can change your story.
Middle School Math Practice & Mastery: Grades 6-8: The Ripple Method Student Workbook
A comprehensive middle school mathematics workbook for students in Grades 6–8 designed to strengthen foundational skills, problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and confidence. Students practice fractions, decimals, integers, ratios and proportions, equations, percents, pre-algebra readiness, and other essential middle school mathematics concepts. The Ripple Method™ provides a consistent six-step problem-solving process: Read, Identify, Plan, Perform, Look Back, and Explain. The workbook includes guided practice, independent practice, cumulative review, error analysis, reflection, and application activities designed for classroom instruction, tutoring, homeschool, intervention, enrichment, and summer learning.
Middle School Math Practice & Mastery: Grades 6-8: the Ripple Method Teacher Edition
Teach the method behind the math.
Middle School Math Practice & Mastery: Grades 6–8 — The Ripple Method™ Teacher Edition is the educator companion to The Ripple Method™ Student Workbook.
Designed for teachers, tutors, homeschool educators, intervention programs, and academic enrichment, this Teacher Edition provides instructional support for foundational middle school mathematics, including fractions, decimals, integers, ratios and proportions, expressions and equations, percents, and pre-algebra readiness.
The Ripple Method™ gives students a consistent six-step problem-solving process: READ, IDENTIFY, PLAN, PERFORM, LOOK BACK, and EXPLAIN.
This Teacher Edition includes instructional guidance, teaching prompts, answer support, common-error alerts, quick understanding checks, and sample responses for open-ended activities. It is designed to help educators guide students beyond simply finding an answer toward understanding and explaining the mathematical reasoning behind it.
Every problem solved creates another ripple of confidence.
Mommy Has MS: A Children's ABC Story About Love, Strength and Understanding
Looking for a children’s book about multiple sclerosis or a gentle way to explain chronic illness to kids?
My Mommy Has MS is a heartfelt and engaging ABC children’s book that helps young readers understand what it means when a parent is living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Designed with social emotional learning (SEL) in mind, this story supports children as they navigate feelings, questions, and changes within their family.
The Very Boring School Day
In “The Very Boring School Day”, Alex faces the daily struggle of morning routines, schoolwork, and the dreaded classroom boredom. With his witty sense of humor and vivid imagination, he often finds himself wishing for an escape from the monotony of school life. But when a chaotic day filled with giant, chocolate-covered rats and unexpected lessons unfolds, Alex discovers that even the most ordinary days can take an extraordinary turn.
As he navigates friendships with the cool K Squad and shares laughter with his beloved Grandma, Alex learns valuable lessons about respect, responsibility, and the importance of every role in his life. This charming story reminds readers that sometimes the best adventures come from embracing the day and appreciating those who keep the world running smoothly. Join Alex on his journey from reluctant student to a kid who learns that school, with all its quirks, might just be a lot more fun than he thought!
The Very Boring School Day: Anniversary Edition
What if the most boring school day turned into a lesson Alex would never forget?
Alex thinks school is boring. The rules are boring. Walking quietly through the halls is boring. Even an ordinary school day feels like something he just has to get through.
So when Alex decides to add a little excitement of his own, things don't turn out quite the way he expects.
After a frightening and unforgettable experience changes his perspective, Alex begins to understand something important: the people, routines, rules, and responsibilities he once took for granted all have a purpose.
The Very Boring School Day: Anniversary Edition brings Alex's story to life through colorful illustrations, humor, imagination, and a meaningful social-emotional lesson about respect, responsibility, empathy, gratitude, and appreciating the people who help make our schools better every day.
Perfect for elementary and middle-grade readers, families, educators, school counselors, and classroom libraries, this Anniversary Edition encourages young readers to look beyond what seems "boring" and recognize the value of the people around them.
U.S. Citizenship Ready: Simple Study Guide & Practice Tests for English Language Learners
Preparing for the U.S. citizenship interview can feel overwhelming—especially when English is still being learned. U.S. Citizenship Ready was created to make the process clearer, friendlier, and easier to practice one step at a time.
Designed especially with English Language Learners in mind, this colorful and encouraging workbook uses simple language, visual organization, repeated practice, and short-answer models to help future citizens build knowledge and confidence.
Who Can You Be?
Trying to figure out the type of person you should be in this world can be a difficult task for young readers. In this book, characters make mistakes by forgetting to do the right thing. Learning to remember to make the right decisions in all situations is the first step on the road to self-discovery.
Who Can You Be?: Revised & Expanded Character-Choice Edition
Previously published as Who Can You Be? by Shannon Spires.
Every child has moments when the better choice isn't the easiest one.
Who Can You Be? Revised & Expanded Character-Choice Edition helps young readers practice choosing honesty, kindness, respect, self-control, fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness, organization, generosity, and problem-solving through memorable animal characters and relatable everyday situations.
Readers meet Larry the Lobster, Tyler the Turtle, Latoya the Lion, Robin the Rooster, Donaven the Duck, Chester the Cheetah, Kellee the Koala, Harry the Hamster, Walt the Wolf, Stella the Snake, and Miyan the Mockingbird as each character faces a choice—and discovers a better way forward.
This revised and expanded edition adds positive Better Choice strategies, child-friendly Try These Words scripts, reflection questions and conversation starters, Character Powers vocabulary, a Great Choice Toolbox, a personal reflection plan, a 7-Day Character Challenge, and a Certificate of Great Choices.
Designed for children ages 4–8, this warm, interactive picture book gives families, teachers, counselors, and educators practical opportunities to talk about positive behavior while helping children understand an empowering message:
Small choices build big character.
Choose to be great—by being the best version of YOU.