Stick Up For Yourself!: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self-Esteem

Stick Up For Yourself!: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self- Esteem. Gershen Kaufman. Free Spirit Publishing, Inc.; c1999. 

"Did anyone ever tell you to stick up for yourself? Maybe you were confused too. When you don't know what it means to stick up for yourself, you end up doing things it doesn't mean (Kaufman, 1999, p4)."

Basic Description:

This book is based on the idea that all young people can and should be taught the skills necessary to face common issues, such as making choices, liking themselves, and solving problems. This book lists, describes and illustrates the concept of power, emotions, and self esteem. And it defines what “sticking up for yourself,” really means and when sticking up for yourself is appropriate. Everyday scenarios and exercises in each chapter guide readers through learning about their own feelings, dreams, and needs while stressing that they are responsible for their own behavior and happiness. 

Review:

Written as a manual, Stick Up For Yourself works to provide sensible and straightforward tips and guidelines for Tweens interested in building self- esteem and developing healthy relationships. Bullying is referenced directly within this books introduction. The author points out that low self- esteem is main symptom of bullying.  And the book’s goal is to help kids develop a healthy and balanced sense of self and esteem, in order to counteract any bullying they may come into contact with. The author goes to great lengths to discusses emotions and self- esteem in ways that children will understand. Age appropriate anecdotes are provided to enhance the discussion, which makes the book’s lessons more relevant to kids. Tween boys and girls will benefit from this book, which provides gender neutral instruction. 

Genre:

Non- Fiction

Reading Level: 

Grades 3- 8