Barb Steinberg, LMSW

Book recommendations for girls

These are books we have read and used in the past or which have been suggested by clients,
Common Sense Media, A Mighty Girl and other websites. We strongly urge parents to review the
content of the books in advance of having your daughter read them, to make sure they are in line with
your parenting philosophy and values.

GENERAL
The Feelings Book: The Care & Keeping of Your Emotions
by Dr. Lynda Madison
Ages 8-13
This companion to
The Care and Keeping of You
helps girls understand their emotions and
learn to deal with them.
A Smart Girl's Guide to Knowing What to Say
by Patti Kelley Criswell
Ages 9-12
A friend talks about you behind your back. What do you say to her? You want to watch a TV
show that's on past your bedtime. How do you ask your parents? You break your friend's
favorite CD. How do you apologize? Tell a friend that you're sorry for her loss. Ask a teacher
for more help. Stand up to a bully. Let someone how much they mean to you. Inside this
book, you'll find the tools, tips, techniques, (and actual words!) to help you untangle your
tongue and speak out with confidence and grace.
My Feelings, My Self: A Growing-Up Journal for Girls, Second Edition
by Lynda Madaras, Area
Madaras and Jackie Aher (Author)
Ages 12 and up
For teen and pre-teen girlsin the million-copy bestselling Lynda Madaras "What's Happening
To My Body?" Series, a new, updated edition of the journal/workbook that focuses on how
feelings, as well as bodies, change during puberty, and how to deal with them. Why don't my
parents ever listen to me? Can I tell a boy that I like him? How do I say "no" to friends when
they want me to do things I don't want to? Answers to these questions and more are what's in
this fun- and fact-filled book as well as quizzes, exercises, stories and letters from kids
expressing feelings about the changes going on in their lives during adolescence.
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul
by Jack Canfield
Ages 12 and up
This series of books stem from the knowledge that teens know their own concerns bestthus,
much of the book is written by teens themselves, which gives the book a very accessible,
informal tone. Also, the authors had each piece evaluated by as many teenagers as possible.
The care shows.
Teenage Soul
is always respectful, and doesn't minimize any of the dramas of
adolescence. It does, however, mete out plenty of perspective. This wise, tender, funny book
is filled with wisdom useful to teens (and everybody else, too).
GirlWise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool, and in Control
by Juila DeVillers
Ages 12 and up
Teenage girls have all kinds of concerns from seemingly trivial ones such as how to say "hi" to
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more momentous occasions like the first job interview. Along with these concerns, this book
covers a wide range of topics with an overall intent of guiding girls toward becoming
well-balanced young women. Successful people of all ages are tapped for advice. Hip and
chatty in style, GirlWise encourages a self-confident, independent attitude that includes being
considerate of others.
BODY IMAGE
Belindas Bouquet
by Leslea Newman
Ages 3 and up
Belinda's Bouquet
is about a little girl who is made fun of because she is fat. She talks about
going on a diet. The mom of one of her friends tells her a story about her partner, also a
woman, who (allegedly) tried to make all the flowers in her garden look the same by "putting
some on a diet." They died, of course, which leads them into a discussion of what bodies need
to survive. When you give bodies the same amount of nourishment, they will naturally develop
into different shapes, just like when you give flowers the same amount of nourishment, they
will develop into different colors and shapes. And, just as different shapes and colors of
flowers make a garden beautiful, different shapes and colors of people make humanity
beautiful.
Shapesville
by Andy Mills, Becky Osborn
Ages 3-8
Shapesville is a small town where five friends of various shapes, sizes, colors, and talents
discuss their differences and celebrate what makes each of them unique. Simple, rhyming
verse and bold, playful illustrations of basic shapes and colors introduce these charmers: red
rectangle Robbie, yellow circle Cindy, blue square Sam, orange diamond Daisy, and green
triangle Tracy. These endearing characters show that
its not the size of your shape or the
shape of your size, but the size of your heart that deserves first prize. Questions at the end
encourage discussion of these characters and what they mean.
What I Like About Me
by Allia Zobel Nolan
Ages 3-7
The kids in this book all have something to celebrate about themselves. Distinguished glasses?
Sparkly braces? Fun, curly hair? This book will remind your child that any difference can be
celebrated as something that makes them special -- and at the end, the Mylar mirror lets her
pick what she likes about herself.
I Like Myself!
by Karen Beaumont
Ages 3-8
This little girl knows that, no matter what she does, where she goes, or what other people
think, she is special because Im ME! Kids will laugh at phrases like beaver breath, stinky
toes and even sillier things; parents will like including diverse faces in their collection.
Beautiful Girl: Celebrating the Wonders of Your Body
by Christiane Northrup, MD and Kristina
Tracy
Ages 4 and up
This book presents the important message that being born female is special, and that your
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girls body is miraculous and deserves to be respected. Equally importantly, it does so without
devaluing boys, so families with both boys and girls can read it together. The poetic language
and lovely artwork also makes it engaging for all ages.
Full Mouse, Empty Mouse: A Tale of Food and Feelings
by Dina Zeckhausen
Ages 6 and up
A mouse family (the Squeaks) lives quietly in a house inhabited by humans. But when the
mice children, Billy Blue and Sally Rose, are discovered by the humans, their lives become
filled with daily upset. Not wanting to bother their parents, Billy Blue eats to push down his
distress, while Sally Rose is so anxious she can't nibble a thing. Eventually they realize the
importance of talking about feelings and learn to find comfort in healthy ways. This is a good
first book to help children understand different feelings, learn to talk about them, and use
means other than food to express them.
The Second Life of Abigail Walker
by Frances ORoark Dowell
Ages 9-12
Abigail is 17 pounds too heavy for the popular girls, but since shes happy with her body and
refuses to accept being teased, she instead befriends Anders, a boy whose veteran father is
struggling with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Unexpectedly, Abigail finds that helping
someone else might be just the thing she needs to feel her absolute best.
Smile!
by Raina Telgemeier
Ages 9-13
This autobiographical graphic novel starts with a trip and fall that breaks two of Rainas front
teeth. As she has to deal with braces, surgery, headgear and false teeth, she also lives
through the challenges of puberty: Morphing friendships, crushes on boys, a maturing body
and changing family expectations. Any girl living with (or facing) braces or other orthodontic
work will enjoy knowing that others have lived through it -- and gone on to great things.
All Made Up: A Girls Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype to Celebrate Real Beauty
by
Audrey D. Brashich
Ages 10 and up
Don't believe everything you read. Open any magazine or turn on any TV show and you'll be
bombarded with air brushed, perfectly styled and made-up celebrities and supermodels, icons
of beauty that real women can never match. Too often, girls, measure themselves against
these unrealistic images and find themselves lacking. But we can all break free from the cult
of celebrity and start liking the face we see in the mirror once we understand that many of
these images of beauty are all made up. In the spirit of
Fast Food Nation
, media-awareness
activist Audrey Brashich delivers an in-depth, informative, and eye-opening look at the effect
the media and pop culture has on young women's self images.
Thinandbeautiful.com
by Liane Shaw
Ages 12 and up
Maddie works hard to be the best but always seems to fall short. She's not the smartest in
class or the prettiest, but when she sets out to master the one thing she can control her life
begins to spin out of control. After she cuts off friends and family who are unsupportive of her
"diet" goals, Maddie finds new friends who understand her and help her on her way to her
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"thin and beautiful" goal. Will the "Girls without Shadows" site help Maddie realize her dream
or will tragedy change her mind?
No Body's Perfect: Stories by Teens about Body Image, Self-Acceptance, and the Search for
Identity
by Kimberly Kirberger
Ages 12 and up
A collection of stories, essays, and poetry written by both teenage girls and adult women who
are dealing with body-image issues. The text looks at the idea of self- and body acceptance at
a time when "thin is in." Many of the selections were written by survivors of eating disorders.
These stories in particular give readers a sense of light at the end of the tunnel. Gently, and at
times not so gently, Kirberger's collection coaxes readers to find answers for themselves
through the experiences of other teenagers.
Purge
by Sarah Darer Littman
Ages 12 and up
With a Purging Partner to keep watch as she gets rid of unwanted donuts, Janie doesn't think
it's a big deal that she binges and then throws up. Then she ruins her half-sister's wedding,
gets into a huge fight with her best friend, and ends up in a treatment center for eating
disorders. She's determined not to speak in group counseling sessions with other Barfers and
their food rivals, the Starvers. But when Janie has to create a piece of art representing her
most fundamental self, all she comes up with is a black hole. If bulimia and food don't define
her, then what does?
Big Fat Manifesto
by Susan Vaught
Ages 12 and up
Jamie is a fat girl and proud of it: Shes writing a feature column in her school newspaper to
make people aware of the unfairness suffered by overweight people. But when her boyfriend,
Burke, announces that he is going to try gastric bypass surgery to lose weight, Jamie wants to
support him but worries that everything will change. Jamie is a fun, ambitious protagonist who
loves her body, even as she speaks candidly about her thoughts and feelings about being fat
in a world that celebrates thinness. Any teenager will appreciate this story about finding your
own way in life.
Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages 13 and up
Eighteen-year-old Lia wakes up to learn her former best friend, Cassie, has killed herself. The
night she died she called Lia 33 times, and Lia didn't answer. In fifth grade, they were best
friends, so close they swore to help each other be the skinniest girls in high school. When their
eating disorders spiral out of control and repeated stays in treatment centers don't help, Lia
finally distances herself from Cassie. Even though Lia can't give up her obsession with losing
weight, she hates herself and relieves some of her mental anguish by cutting and
self-medication. Her parents try to help but are easily fooled into believing she is better, even
after Cassie dies from bulimia. Cassie continues to encourage Lia to starve herself even after
she is dead by haunting her; and Lia's guilt helps drive her down into one more bout of
starvation that sends her to the hospital again, where she is committed and treated for mental
illness.

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Perfect
by Natasha Friend
Ages 13 and up
Ape-Face, otherwise known as April, or Isabelle Lee's 10-year-old sister, catches Isabelle in
the midst of making herself throw up. She tells her mother, who then enrolls Isabelle in group
therapy for eating disorders. Isabelle's thoughts are always on the death of her father and her
frustrations with her mother's insistence on keeping these painful thoughts on the inside. In
therapy, Isabelle is surprised to be joined by Ashley, the most popular girl at school -- of
course everyone thinks she has it all. They bond over their bingeing/purging and start
socializing together outside of group therapy. Ashley invites Isabelle to sit with her at the
"popular" table at lunch. Though silent in group therapy, Isabelle takes to journal writing and
begins meeting with Trish, the counselor, individually. Trish helps Isabelle open up and talk
about her sadness and the problems at home. From there she looks for ways to connect to her
sister and help her mother.
SELF-ESTEEM/IDENTITY
I Think, I Am!: Teaching Kids the Power of Affirmations
by Louise Hay and Kristina Tracy
Ages 3 and up
Your thoughts create your life! This is the message that Louise Hay has been teaching
people throughout the world for more than 27 years. Now, children can learn and understand
the powerful idea that they have control over their thoughts and words, and in turn, what
happens in their life. Within the pages of
I Think, I Am!
kids will find out the difference
between negative thoughts and positive affirmations. Fun illustrations and simple text
demonstrate how to make the change from negative thoughts and words to those that are
positive. The happiness and confidence that come from this ability is something children will
carry with them their entire lives!
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are
by Maria Dismondy
Ages 4 and up
How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy's
defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for,
Lucy has the courage to make a good choice.
I Like Myself!
by Karen Beaumont
Ages 4-8
This curly haired African-American moppet really likes herself. No matter what she does,
wherever she goes, or what others think of her, she likes herself because, as she says, "I'm
ME!" Catrow's watercolor, ink, and pencil illustrations bring even more humor to the funny
verse. The brightly colored art and rhymes are reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's work with their
quirky absurdity, especially the full spread of the child and her highly unusual bicycle. Even
with "stinky toes/or horns protruding from my nose," her dog loves her unconditionally. She
is so full of joy that readers will love her, tooeven when she has purple polka-dotted lips.
Incredible You! 10 Ways To Let Your Greatness Shine Through
by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Kristina
Tracy
Ages 4-9
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer has taken the 10 concepts from his book for adults,
10 Secrets for Success
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and Inner Peace
, and interpreted them for children, creating
Incredible You!
Wayne believes
that it's never too early for children to know that they're unique and powerful beings, and they
have everything they need within themselves to create happy, successful lives. With this book,
parents can introduce these important ideas to their children. The ten concepts are numbered,
titled and set in rhyming verse, and vibrant illustrations bring each point to life. At the end,
there are questions that kids can answer to connect these ideas to their own lives, and make
them realize how incredible they truly are.
Too Perfect
by Trudy Ludwig & Lisa Fields
Ages 6-9
Maisie thinks Kayla is perfect. Shes pretty and thin, has cool clothes, gets good grades, and
shes a star on the soccer field. But is Kayla happy? The more Maisie gets to know Kayla, the
more she begins to question whether being perfect is really so wonderful. In
Too Perfect
,
acclaimed speaker and child advocate Trudy Ludwig explores the relentless and destructive
drive for perfection, and the freedom that comes from accepting ones self.
Real Beauty: 101 Ways to Feel Great about You
by Therese Kauchak
Ages 8-12
What IS real beauty? It's not something you find in the makeup aisle or in the pages of a
fashion magazine. Real beauty comes from liking yourself, from feeling strong and healthy,
and from knowing what's beautiful in everyone around you. The Real Beauty book is packed
with ideas and activities that help you bring out the best in yourself -- and show you that
beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!
Addie on the Inside
by James Howe
Ages 11 and up
Tall 13-year-old Addie Carle has always been a strong, smart, and sensitive girl who has felt
sure of herself and her place in the world ... until now. Her seventh-grade year is a kind of
"purgatory," and through narrative verse, she reveals her inner thoughts and feelings -- as
well as the familiar markings of a very tough year: She's the first one to raise her hand in
class and always has an opinion, but that's not going over well with the other kids. She
worries about human rights and other world issues while most of the other kids seem like they
couldn't care less. She hates the mean girls but feels their power. She endures teasing about
her boyish looks, her independent spirit -- and even gossip about why a popular older boy
would choose her to be his girlfriend. And, hardest of all, she begins to question herself and
who she is.
This Is Me from Now On
by Barbara Dee
Ages 11 and up
Evie is at first embarrassed by her new neighbor Francesca, who dresses in blue stilettos and
even impulsively runs through the sprinklers on their first day of school. But when they're
paired together for an important school project, Evie gets swept up into Francesca's often fun
world, which is more about weekend trips to the beach than school supply shopping. Evie, a
good girl who has felt stifled by her two sensible best friends, enjoys this opportunity to
reinvent herself -- but soon finds herself in over her head when she and Francesca start
imagining a love life for their tough history teacher and forget all about their project.

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The Skin Im In
by Sharon Flake
Ages 12 and up
Maleeka suffers every day from the taunts of the other kids in her class. If they're not getting
at her about her homemade clothes or her good grades, it's about her dark, black skin. When
a new teacher, whose face is blotched with a startling white patch, starts at their school,
Maleeka can see there is bound to be trouble for her too. But the new teacher's attitude
surprises Maleeka. Miss Saunders loves the skin she's in. Can Maleeka learn to do the same?
Real Girl Real World: A Guide to Finding Your True Self
by Heather M. Gray, Samantha Phillips
Ages 12 and up
Teen girls receive mixed messages about who they should beand what they should look
likefrom all facets of society. It's no wonder they have difficulty finding out who they really
are. This snappy, straight-talking guidea veritable
Our Bodies, Ourselves
for teenshelps
girls make up their own minds about what kind of people they want to be. Exploring a wide
range of topics central to young women's livesincluding beauty and the media; body image,
ethnicity and self-esteem; eating disorders and healthy nutrition; sexual anatomy, safe sex
and much morethe authors dispel myths, put issues in perspective, and give girls the power
to choose for themselves.
Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Answers
by Nancy Amanda Radd
Ages 15 and up
To quote Redd, Youd think a Miss America swimsuit winner would feel completely confident
about her body, right? Not always! Redd answers questions about skin, hair, body, weight,
and many other issues of concern to teenage girls. Her information is medically accurate,
engaging to read, and touches on topics many girls would hesitate to discuss with parents or
doctors. Her before and after images demonstrating the results of photo retouching will be
particularly shocking and informative. While her writing is accessible to younger teens, parents
should be aware that this book includes photographs that show the wide range of normal
bodies out there -- including many nude shots and multiple images of female genitalia.
SEX , RELATIONSHIPS AND INTIMACY
It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends
by Robie H.
Harris
Ages 4-8
From the expert team behind
It's Perfectly Normal
and
It's So Amazing!
comes a book for
younger children about their bodies -- a resource that parents, teachers, librarians, health
care providers, and clergy can use with ease and confidence. Young children are curious about
almost everything, especially their bodies. And young children are not afraid to ask questions.
What makes me a girl? What makes me a boy? Why are some parts of girls' and boys' bodies
the same and why are some parts different? How was I made? Where do babies come from? Is
it true that a stork brings babies to mommies and daddies?
It's Not The Stork
helps answer
these endless and perfectly normal questions that preschool, kindergarten, and early
elementary school children ask about how they began. Through lively, comfortable language
and sensitive, engaging artwork, Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley address readers in a
reassuring way, mindful of a child's healthy desire for straightforward information. Two
irresistible cartoon characters, a curious bird and a squeamish bee, provide comic relief and
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give voice to the full range of emotions and reactions children may experience while learning
about their amazing bodies.
Vetted and approved by science, health, and child development experts, the information is
up-to-date, age-appropriate, and scientifically accurate, and always aimed at helping kids feel
proud, knowledgeable, and comfortable about their own bodies, about how they were born,
and about the family they are part of.
It's So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families
by Robie H. Harris
Ages 6-9
How does a baby begin? What makes a baby male or female? How is a baby born? Children
have plenty of questions about reproduction and babies -- and about sex and sexuality, too.
It's So Amazing!
provides the answers -- with fun, accurate, comic-book-style artwork and a
clear, lively text that reflects elementary-school children's interest in how things work, while
giving them a healthy understanding of their bodies.
Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing
by Mavis Jukes
Ages 8 and up
The author imparts the essential information vital to a young woman's early development.
Speaking with the sensitivity of an older, trusted sister, Jukes assures readers that the
changes, or lack of, in their bodies are perfectly normal. She covers body hair and shaving,
perspiration and deodorant, and how to buy your first bra. The second half of the book is
devoted to what to expect and how to plan for your first period. Jukes details the pros and
cons of pads and tampons and gives practical, safe advice for alleviating cramps. Sexual
intercourse is defined as an activity for adults and used to describe the reproductive organs.
Sexual activity in teenagers and birth control are not covered. The narration has an easy,
comfortable voice and imparts accurate and important information while assuring readers that
they can still be children even though they've entered puberty.
A Smart Girl's Guide to Boys
by Nancy Holyoke
Ages 9-13
Like
The Care and Keeping of You
, this book will help girls and parents start important
conversations when the whole class is abuzz with Who Likes Who fever. Unlike the teen titles
on the market that focus on dating and romance, this book addresses a girl's very first forays
into the boy/girl world and gives her wise, warm advice. Help! letters from girls--collected
from our AmericanGirl magazine files--and quizzes are included, too.
Period: A Girl's Guide
by JoAnn Loulan, Bonnie Worthen
Ages 9-13
The start of hormonal changes can be troubling, even traumatic, for young girls. Now fully
revised and updated with a parents' guide, Period explains in a straightforward manner the
changes all girls go through, answers common questions, and includes a brief description of a
pelvic exam.
What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls: Revised Edition
by Lynda Madaras, Area
Madaras and Simon Sullivan
Ages 10 and up
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Everything preteen and teen girls need to know about their changing bodies and feelings
Written by an experienced educator and her daughter in a reassuring and down-to-earth style,
The "What's Happening to My Body?" Book for Girls
gives sensitive straight talk on: the body's
changing size and shape; the growth spurt; breast development; the reproductive organs; the
menstrual cycle; body hair; diet and exercise; romantic and sexual feelings; and puberty in
the opposite sex. It also includes information on anorexia and bulimia, sexually transmitted
diseases, AIDS, and birth control. Featuring detailed illustrations and real-life stories
throughout, plus an introduction for parents and a helpful resource section, this bestselling
growing-up guide is an essential puberty education and health book for all girls ages 10 and
up. Selected as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association.
It's a Girl Thing: How to Stay Healthy, Safe and in Charge
by Mavis Jukes
Ages 10-14
An easy-to-read magazine-style guide for girls on "staying healthy, safe and in-charge." Mavis
Jukes covers everything from how to buy a bra to birth control, from sexually transmitted
diseases to coping with the unexpected onset of a period away from home. Issues such as
setting healthy boundaries, trusting feelings, and being able to go to adults for help are
discussed in a tone that is frank, entertaining, and gently authoritative without sounding
condescending. Though most girls this age will know more about these subjects than parents
ever dreamed, the subjects are dealt with accurately in way that helps build self-confidence
and character in girls at an extremely vulnerable time in their lives.
American Medical Association Girl's Guide to Becoming a Teen
by the American Medical
Association and Kate Gruenwald
Ages 10 and up
Becoming a teen is an important milestone in every girls life. Its even more important to get
answers and advice to the most common health issues girls face from a trusted source. The
American Medical Association Girls Guide to Becoming a Teen
is filled with invaluable advice
to get you ready for the changes you will experience during puberty. Learn about these
important topics and more:
Puberty and what kinds of physical and emotional changes you can expectfrom your
developing body to your feelings about boys
The importance of eating the right foods and taking care of your body
Your reproductive system inside and out
Starting your periodwhat it means and how to handle it
Thinking about relationships and dealing with new feelings
Forever
by Judy Blume
Ages 13 and up
Katherine is a high school senior when she meets -- and quickly falls in love with -- Michael.
Her parents grow concerned about how much time they're spending together -- and it's true
that they're together whenever possible. Soon they even begin a sexual relationship. But with
high school ending -- and grown-up problems just beginning -- will their young love be able to
last?
BULLYING/FRIENDSHIPS

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Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean
by Jane Lynch, Lara Embry, Ph.D., A.E. Mikesell and Tricia
Tusa
Ages 3-7
Marlene is the self-appointed queen of the playground, the sidewalk, and the school. Known
for her cruel ways, the little Queen of Mean has kids cowering in fearuntil big Freddy stands
up to her and says what everyone has been too fearful to say.
The Recess Queen
by Alexis ONeill & Laura Hulisha-Beith
Ages 4-8
Kids will relate and parents and teachers will appreciate the story's handling of conflict
resolution (which happens without adult intervention).
Our Friendship Rules
by Peggy Moss, Dee Dee Tardif
Ages 5 and up
Alexandra and Jenny have been best friends for a long time. But when Alexandra is
momentarily dazzled by the glamour of a new girl at school, she's willing to do almost
anything to get to be the cool girl's friend. Ultimately, she tells Jenny's biggest, most
important secret--and just like that, Alexandra is in! But when Alexandra realizes what it feels
like to lose her best friend, and sees the hurt she's caused, she knows she has to figure out a
way to regain the relationship that's far more important to her than being invited to sit with
the popular girls.
Our Friendship Rules
is both a lyrical story of forgiveness and a simple,
sweet but instructive tale of how to get along.
Say Something
by Peggy Moss
Ages 5 and up
At this school, there are some children who push and tease and bully. Sometimes they hurt
other kids by just ignoring them. The girl in this story sees it happening, but she would never
do these mean things herself. Then one day something happens that shows her that being a
silent bystander isn't enough. Will she take some steps on her own to help another kid?
Resources at the end of the book will help parents and children talk about teasing and bullying
and find ways to stop it at school.
Trouble Talk
by Trudy Ludwig and Lisa Fields
Ages 6-9
Maya's friend Bailey loves to talk about everything and everyone. At first, Maya thinks Bailey
is funny. But when Bailey's talk leads to harmful rumors and hurt feelings, Maya begins to
think twice about their friendship. Includes additional resources for kids, parents, and
teachers, as well as advice about how to combat trouble talk.
Simon's Hook; A Story About Teases and Put-downs
by Karen Gedig Burnett
Ages 6 and up
Simon is having a bad day; a bad hair day. First his sister gives him a strange haircut, then
his friends tease him. Simon doesn't know what to do. Lucky for him he runs into Grandma
Rose. After listening to his sorrowful story she helps him learn an important life lesson; how to
handle teases and put-downs. By comparing teases to fishing hooks she tells him a tale of how
fish learned not to bite. With fanciful characters such as Harmony Hippy Fish, Freddie Fang,
Max the Mouse Fish and more, Simon learns that he, too, can swim free from the teasing
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hooks that people toss his way.
The Hundred Dresses
by Eleanor Estes
Ages 6-10
Eleanor Estes's
The Hundred Dresses
won a Newbery Honor in 1945 and has never been out of
print since. At the heart of the story is Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school
who is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda
claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn't and bullies her
mercilessly. The class feels terrible when Wanda is pulled out of the school, but by that time
it's too late for apologies. Maddie, one of Wanda's classmates, ultimately decides that she is
"never going to stand by and say nothing again."
My Secret Bully
by Trudy Ludwig
Ages 6 and up
Here is the all-too-familiar story of Monica. She and Katie have been friends since
kindergarten. Monica loves being around her when she's nice. But there are times when Katie
can be just plain mean. And Monica doesn't understand why. Monica is a target of relational
aggression, emotional bullying among friends who will use name-calling and manipulation to
humiliate and exclude. But with a little help from a supportive adulther motherMonica
learns to cope and thrive by facing her fears and reclaiming power from her bully. Including a
foreword by the founder of the The Ophelia Project, as well as helpful tips, discussion
questions, and additional resources,
My Secret Bully
is a vital resource for children, parents,
teachers, and counselors.
Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends: Dealing with Bullies and Bossiness and Finding a
Better Way
by Patti Kelley Criswell
Ages 7-12
This book teaches girls how to spot bullying and how to stand up and speak out against it.
Quizzes, quotes from other girls, and "what do you do?" scenarios present advice in an
age-appropriate, digestible way. The message in this book is that there is no one right way to
deal with bullying. Instead, there are lots of options for girls to try, from ignoring a bully and
trying a few clever comebacks to reporting bullying to a trusted adult. Readers learn how to
stand up for others and be a good friend, too. The book ends with a pledge girls can sign, plus
tear-out tips for girls to share with their parents.
A Smart Girl's Guide to Friendship Troubles
by Patti Kelley Criswell
Ages 9-13
From backstabbing to bullying to just being left out, here's advice for girls about a whole host
of friendship problems. How do you speak up for yourself when you're worried about hurting
your friend's feelings? What if your best friend leaves you for the more popular crowd? What
do you do when your friend the "rule setter" decides you're not cool anymore? When- and
how- do you get your parents involved without making things worse? Tips, quizzes, and real
life stories about girls who've solved their friendship problems round out this timely advice
book.
The Hot List
by Hillary Homzie
Ages 10 and up
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Best-friend seventh graders Sophie and Maddie make up a list of the hottest guys and girls in
school and write it anonymously on the inside door of a stall in the girls' bathroom at their
public middle school. As the list takes on a life of its own, with some mystery person
continuing to post a list monthly, the girls friendship crumbles after Maddie aligns with Hot
List-er Nia. Sophie bets Nia she can remake her guy pal Squid into Hot List material within a
month. If she loses the bet, Sophie will have to tell top-of-the list hot guy Hayden she has a
crush on him. Meanwhile, Sophie is having a rough time with the fact that her dad, the school
principal, is dating Nia's mom, a teacher at the school. She's the first woman he's been serious
about since her mom died when Sophie was 3.
The Kind of Friends We Used to Be
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Ages 10 and up
Marilyn and Kate are trying really hard to be friends again. They used to be best friends, but
last year things changed. Marilyn thinks life for Kate would be a lot easier if she just took her
advice on fashion, and Kate thinks Marilyn spends too much time thinking about her hair and
what other people think of her. Will they ever get on the same page and get their friendship
back on track?
Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
Ages 11-16
Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the
hallways hum with the murmur of "Stargirl, Stargirl." She captures Leo Borlock's heart with
just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica
High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for
everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to
become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity,
Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity
and the thrill and inspiration of first love.
Letters to a Bullied Girl: Messages of Healing and Hope
by Emily Buder, Olivia Gardner, Sarah
Buder
Ages 12 and up
Two sisters in Marin County, CA, read a newspaper story about a girl named Olivia whose life
was ruined by cyberbullying. Singled out as "different" after she had a seizure at her middle
school, she was taunted by classmates who dragged her backpack through the mud, wore "I
Hate Olivia" bracelets, and created an "Olivia Haters" web page on MySpace. The sisters were
so moved after they read about this that they mobilized a letter-writing campaign called
"Olivia's Letters," asking people to write to her at a P.O. Box they set up and let her know she
is not alone and not to give up hope. Their goal was to get 50 letters from their high school
and neighboring schools. After a month they had 500. After some media attention, more than
4,000 poured in. The book presents a selection of them, written by people of all ages from all
over the country -- some former bullies themselves-- who share their personal stories of pain,
resilience, and hope.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
by Ann Brashares
Ages 12 and up
Parents need to know that this book's emphasis on strong, supportive girl friendships may
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inspire readers -- and provides some nice counter-programming to clique lit's "frenemies." The
characters do make some bad decisions, but they grow from them. There's some sexual
content, language, and some pretty intense emotional stuff. Teens living out their own
coming-of-age stories will likely get the most out of this book.
Vintage Veronica
by Erica S. Perl
Ages 14 and up
Fifteen-year-old Veronica Walsh's summer job at a consignment store is a dream come true
because, not only is she the first one to see the cast-off treasures from bygone eras that suit
her personal style, but she can also hide on the fourth floor away from customers and
co-workers. Veronica is overweight, with a mother that frequently reminds her of that, and
she has no friends since a recent falling out. Content to remain friendless, she hides away
upstairs until two mean girls who work on the sales floor strike up a "friendship" with her and
convince her to spy on Lenny, the odd stock boy. At first, Veronica is pleased that the girls are
even talking to her, so when she and Lenny hit it off Veronica wants to keep that a secret in
order to stay friends with Zoe and Ginger. She soon realizes that attention from them isn't
worth giving up on the first true friend she's had in way too long.
CUTTING/SELF-HARM
Cut
by Patricia McCormick
Ages 12 and up
Burdened with the pressure of believing she is responsible for her brother's illness,
15-year-old Callie begins a course of self-destruction that leads to her being admitted to Sea
Pines, a psychiatric hospital the "guests" refer to as Sick Minds. Although initially she refuses
to speak, her individual and group therapy sessions trigger memories and insights. Slowly, she
begins emerging from her miserable silence, ultimately understanding the role her
dysfunctional family played in her brother's health crisis.
Blade Silver: Color Me Scarred
by Melody Carlson
Ages 12 and up
Ruth Wallace knows she can only hide the scars on her arms for so long. Cutting herself
doesn't make her problems disappear, but at least it helps her cope. Ruth needs to find
someway, any way, to heal her scars--the ones she hides and the ones she can't--before
something terrible happens. The seventh book in the TrueColors teen fiction series, Blade
Silver deals with cutting, guilt, psychology, and healing. Includes discussion questions.
Stopping the Pain: A Workbook for Teens Who Cut and Self-Injure
by Lawrence Shapiro, Ph.D.
This comprehensive workbook helps teens who self-injure explore the reasons behind their
need to hurt themselves and sets forth positive ways to deal with the issues of stress and
control. The activities in this workbook provide teens with safe, effective alternatives to
self-injury and help them develop a plan to stay healthy.

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