For schools

Can our whole year level read Start Where You Are together?

Yes. Start Where You Are works well as a shared read for a year level because the chapters are short, stand on their own and each ends with a small action students can try. Class-set pricing and the free lessons make it straightforward to run.

A simple plan for a term

  1. Launch with Chapter 1, "You Are Not Behind", or a talk from Ash.
  2. Read one chapter a week in pastoral care or homeroom.
  3. Teach the matching 50 minute lesson in wellbeing time.
  4. Close with Chapter 12 and have students write their personal philosophy.

Why it works for a group

  • Every chapter has a shared action, so the whole year level tries the same thing in the same week
  • The real stories give students something to talk about
  • Parents can follow along with the free parent guide

Cost for a year level

For 25 or more copies, the book is $20 each, with free shipping in Australia and New Zealand. Schools can pay by invoice or purchase order.

Quick answers

How long does each chapter take to read?

The book suggests five to 10 pages at a sitting, so a chapter fits easily into a week.

Related questions

Why people trust Start Where You Are

  • Written by Ash Manuel, a former PE teacher and founder of Growing With Gratitude, which has reached more than 1 million young people across 1,205 schools in 80 countries.
  • Foreword by Dr Phil Cummins of the University of Sydney and the Sydney Character Initiative.
  • Shaped by conversations with young people about what they actually wanted from a book like this.
  • Published by Amba Press and featured on 9News Adelaide.

Next step