"Here's a handbook to teendom that wins its hipness the hard way: by using good humor and the wisdom of a 2,500-year-old man." —Booklist

A guide for navigating the teen years, Buddha in Your Backpack is for young people who want to learn more about Buddhism or for those who simply want to understand what's going on inside themselves and in the world around them. Buddha in Your Backpack tells Buddha's life story in a fashion teens will relate to, describing Buddha as a young rebel not satisfied with the answers of his elders. It then introduces Buddha's core teachings with chapters like "All About Me" and "Been There, Why'd I Do That?" The author presents thoughtful and spiritual insights on school, dating, hanging out, jobs, and other issues of special interest to teens—inviting readers to look inside themselves for answers.

"Flush with good advice, sensibly given. As such it should prove useful both to students interested in Buddhism and to others who simply need good counsel. In fact, Metcalf's approach is so down-to-earth and inviting that many adults may sneak it off the shelves for themselves." —School Library Journal