A Year in My Life
A year of creative prompts to spark self-expression and storytelling.
$9.99
Quantity:
Consumable
In a Curriculum Kit
Nonreligious
Supplemental Material
2026 Eighth-Grade Curriculum Kit
A Year in My Life is a daily creative journal for teens that uses short prompts to build writing fluency and observation through consistent, low-pressure practice.
Students who don’t naturally sit down to write often respond better to prompts like these. Each page offers a prompt—sometimes reflective, sometimes offbeat—that gives your teen a starting point without over-directing the outcome.
Over time, the daily entries build momentum. Your teen moves from short responses to more detailed observations, often without noticing the shift happening.
The prompts vary in tone, which keeps the routine from feeling repetitive. Some focus on everyday moments, while others lean more toward the imaginative, giving your teen space to think a little differently about what he notices and how he expresses it.
Because the journal is undated, it’s easy to start and stop without losing progress. It can fit into a daily rhythm or be picked up as needed.
While a handful of prompts—think zombies and aliens—might raise eyebrows in some households, most families will find the book a refreshing mental stretch on an otherwise academically heavy day.
This works well as a steady, independent way to keep writing active—especially during seasons when more structured assignments take most of the focus.
How to Use A Year in My Life
- Start by handing your teen the journal and letting him choose where to begin. Because it’s undated, he can start on any page.
- Encourage one prompt at a time. Some entries will be quick, others may take longer—both are part of the process.
- Keep it flexible. This can be used daily or picked up a few times a week without losing momentum.
- Give your teen space to respond in his own way. The prompts are meant to spark ideas, not limit him.
- Check in occasionally. Reading a few entries together can open the door to conversations you might not have otherwise.
Publisher: Usborne Books
Author: Lucy Menzies
Age Recommendation: 9-13
Grade Recommendation: 4th-7th
Faith-Based: No
Consumable: Yes
Pages: 160
Size: 5.75" x 8.25"
ISBN: 9781610674096
Format: Paperback
review by Family, Faith, and Fridays
”This little book has 365 prompts, one for every day of the year, to help you get your creative juices flowing. Some prompts require more thought and time, others are quite simple and require very little work.”
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review by Little Earthling
”A Year in My Life is full of great no-prep writing prompts which are perfect for when you are sick or attempting to homeschool on the go during busy seasons.”
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- September 16, 2026
Steph H.
A Year in My Life came in my son's 8th grade kit. He likes to work on it every day in between trickier subjects as a "brain break." The prompts are interesting and varied. I enjoy seeing him put his own spin on some of the prompts - I will sometimes hear him laugh over some of the more creative responses with his brother. These books are always a fun keepsake after the school year is over.
- March 5, 2024
Cute little book
Kristen F.
This is a cute little activity book to do in between subjects that gives my daughter a break to draw something fun. She looks forward to drawing in this book each day.
- December 12, 2022
A year in my life
Hayes
I got this for my (much younger than 8th grade) child. I think it works for a wide span of ages. This whole series is great for creative and artsy kids. Fun
- October 27, 2022
So cool.
Faith B.
I got these books for each of my four kids (7,8,9 and 10 years old) and they love it.
- March 18, 2022
A Year in my Life
Kathy B.
Fun little book with prompts to draw or write about. The kids really enjoy doing this book.
- July 5, 2021
Fun!
sdmomof6
Short daily writing sessions.
- June 24, 2021
So much fun!
Alyssa S.
I bought one for my eight year old and 6 year old and they both love this book! It is challenging for them in a fun way, and it will be a special keepsake for them to look back through.
- May 13, 2021
This was perfect for my artist!
Linda G.
I cannot say enough about how happy I am with this purchase. My daughter has loved doing it and I have loved reading and checking out her doodles. This has definitely given her a year of getting even more out of her creativity!
- January 16, 2021
fun!
Customer
Two of my kids have used this and they both really enjoyed it.
- October 11, 2020
Looking forward to 2021.
Camille L.
So far, have just skimmed over this. Looks very promising and enjoyable. Looking forward to my daughters using these once 2021 starts.
