Dr. Bettie B. Youngs, author of over a dozen self-help books and a contributor to the “Chicken Soup” series, will be in Ames tonight to promote her new book, “Taste Berries for Teens.”

“Taste Berries for Teens” is a follow-up to “Taste Berry Tales,” a book of encouraging stories meant to uplift and inspire others.

Youngs said the title of the book is based on a real berry that was used by aboriginal tribes for many years to make bitter foods taste sweet. “People can act as taste berries by making other people’s lives sweet when they are feeling down,” Youngs said.

Youngs decided to write “Taste Berries” after others suggested that she compile a book geared solely toward teens.

Jennifer Leigh Youngs, Bettie’s daughter and a co-author of the book, was excited to join in the efforts, especially after working with teens for many years and authoring books herself.

The two women worked with over 6,000 kids from ages 12 to 20.

Youngs asked kids questions about their lives, such as how they were doing in school, what advice had been helpful to them and what their self-concepts were.

After meeting with lots of kids, Youngs realized that not all kids are as bad as the youth of today is made out to be.

“Maybe five percent of kids are self-centered today, and the other 95 percent are good kids,” Youngs said.

“Taste Berries for Teens” explores what kids are doing for their communities and lives. She believes members of society need to open their hearts and listen to the things young people need.

Youngs said listening may have helped to prevent the school shooting at Columbine High in Littleton, Colo.

“Those kids were not healthy,” Youngs said. “We need to concentrate on what it takes to grow healthy people, or this will happen more and more.”

“Taste Berries,” which was sent to all of the 1,800 kids at Columbine, sends a message for everyone to start caring for each other.

Youngs said the blame for the shootings cannot be placed on one person or thing.

“It is a responsibility of all of ours to protect kids and get ourselves under control,” she said.

Youngs believes the shootings prove that peer counseling needs to be employed and class sizes are too large; teachers cannot see when there is a problem with a teen.

“Kids today have grown up with violence,” Youngs said. “We need to show them their lives are not worthless.”

Bettie and Jennifer Leigh Youngs will be answering questions at Waldenbooks in the North Grand Mall in Ames tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. A book signing will follow.