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The back of the book introduces this title quite well: "After Al Parisi's battle with brain cancer left him unable to run the company he founded and took public, he created a better job: CEO of the Parisi family. One of his first initiatives was to write inspirational advice to his children on their lunch bags each day. In this companion book to the original Lunch Bag Notes, Al has written a year's worth of notes to his son, Anthony, and to all teenage boys."

Like Lunch Bag Notes, this companion volume (aimed at boys) offers simple, timeless advice in a format that is very applicable and relevant to today's teens.

Here are a few random samples:

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Dear Anthony,

In a previous lunch note I mentioned how powerful our minds are. For example, many prisoners grew up frequently hearing : "You will end up in jail someday. "Many professional athletes were told: "Someday you'll play in the major leagues." I am not a clinician, but it seems to me that the way things turn out is the result of more than coincidence.

I urge to fill your mind with positive input by reading good books, by watching good movies, and by reminding yourself daily that you are a good person and that God loves you.

Love, Dad
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Dear Anthony,

People love your smile. I bet you don't even realize how much your smile can do for someone.

Keep smiling.

Love, Dad
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Dear Anthony,

Lent is a time to grow closer to God by doing extra acts of kindness, as well as by fasting and praying. Make a great Lent. It is more important than having a great game or great season, isn't it?

Love, Dad
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Please see quibbles for Lunch Bag Notes which also apply to this book.

Once in a while I am fortunate to review a book that is outstanding, and this is one of them! Mother to the Poor tells the story of the great modern saint of our time in a marvelous way: the beautiful illustrations, the quality of the paper, the language--loving, biographical, translated from Korean. It reads like a picture book, but a meaty picture book!

Everyone knows about Mother Teresa, but can most people tell where she was born? How was her family life? How did she begin the Missionaries of Charity? This book tells her whole story and readers of all ages will be delighted.

This is an admirable portrayal of one of Shakespeare's great comedies beautifully filmed on location in Italy. It is a love story that also laughs at love and a drama that ends up being "Much Ado About Nothing." It is so refreshing to see that Kenneth Branagh (director, adapter and co-leading man) appreciates Shakespeare as Shakespeare rather than trying to add on modern nonsense to make it more accessible. Instead, Branagh assists in making Shakespeare's timeless story accessible through good acting, beautiful scenery and an amazingly faithful script. I like this film very much, and I think it can be a good place for introducing teens to Shakespeare. However, there are a few short scenes of a sensual nature that parents might want to edit for their children. I recommend that parents preview the movie before watching it with their children, but in a nutshell, here some scenes that parents may wish to edit, particularly the third one:

During the credits, the men and women (who are in separate places) are shown bathing and dressing up while preparing to meet each other after the men had been away at war. While this is done in a fairly innocent manner, there are plenty of naked "backsides" in this scene.

There is a small scene during the costumed party involving a couple who are not behaving themselves very well. It does help establish their characters which play an essential role in the story. Although it is not terribly graphic (and might go unnoticed by small children), it is probably not suitable for younger viewers.

This classic play, written in the fashion of a Greek tragedy (but with Catholic content) is suitable for high school students and adults. Handling the topic of St. Thomas Becket' martyrdom, it focuses on the spiritual and emotional struggles and temptations the Archbishop is faced with immediately before his martyrdom. Full of many truths and fodder for great discussion, this is a highly recommended piece for literature, religion and history.