My Feet Aren't Ugly: A Girls Guide to Loving Yourself From the Inside Out

My Feet Aren't Ugly: A Girls Guide to Loving Yourself From the Inside Out. Debra Beck. New York: Beaufort Books; c2007.


"Every time you make fun of someone or talk about people behind their backs, you act like you are better than they are (Beck, 2007, p6)."

Basic Description:

This book written by Debra Beck, a teen counselor, works to instruct young women about how to feel good about themselves. Chapters cover such topics as how to choose friends, how to develop creativity, maintaining physical and spiritual health, overcoming fears, and lowering stress. Throughout the book the author provides pages for journaling and reflection, helping her readers stop and take the time to apply what they're learning to their own lives, reflecting on their own behavior in the past and planning what they will do in the future.

Review:

 

Girls, who are about to enter their teen years, or those in their early teens, will learn from and identify with many of the struggles and pressures the author raises. Beck argues that young girls should make wise choices and accept themselves. She uses personal anecdotes from her youth, as well as stories about the young women she knows and works with, to illustrate her points and provide examples. She covers topics such as peer pressure, treating people well, finding friends who treat you well, being kind to your body, developing healthy habits, finding enjoyable hobbies, personal responsibility, eating disorders, suicide, and physical intimacy. The book deals with tough subjects, including, eating disorders, drugs, suicide, and sexual pressure and Beck provides straight- forward and useful advice. In many cases bullying comes down to self- esteem. The bullied and those who bully are usually hurting and vulnerable on the inside. I chose this book because it advocates for strength and integrity; which are great resources to have when dealing with aggressive or hostile situation.  Integrity and self- esteem give a person the strength to walk away from bullying and the wisdom to know that they don’t have to be bullied.

Genre:

Non- fiction

Reading Level:

Grades 5 and Up

Awards:

2009 Mom's Choice Award for Self-Improvement- Gold medal

Moonbeam Award for Best First Book Young Adult, Non-Fiction- Bronze medal

Nautilus Book Award for Young Adult, Non-Fiction -Silver medal

USA Book News Best Book Award Winner- Gold medal