What You Need to Know:
• Packed with information, this detailed guide provides step-by-step instructions to help your child feel more confident
in his/her approach to life.
• Originally designed for adults, the concepts in this book were rewritten to make them appropriate for children
ages 8 to 12.
• There is also a A Teacher's Guide to Stick Up for Yourself! for grades 3 to 7.
• There are suggested tasks that might help some readers feel more connected to the strategies defined in the book.
• Parents might want to read this one first or else read it with their child.
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Sweet Book Summary:
This self-help book goes well beyond the basics. It provides extensive instructions for achieving personal power and positive self-esteem. It begins with the premise that positive self-esteem is the most important component of a child's emotional health, necessary to succeed in our society. It then goes on to describe what it means to “stick up for yourself” and explains exactly how to do it. It requires personal power and self-confidence which come from being responsible for yourself, making choices, knowing yourself and finding power in your relationships. There are detailed descriptions of feelings, suggestions on how to deal with them and even tips on how to feel less shy. Readers are asked to participate in the book, often being instructed to write down their thoughts and ideas pertaining to a particular step in the process. The text is broken up by clip-art cartoons and shaded areas highlighting examples. The authors clearly indicate when something is a fact or an important point.
It does seem obvious that the program, laid out here by two professors and an author of other self-help books for children, is rooted in psychological theory. Like a mini therapy session, readers are instructed to talk things over with themselves, face their demons, talk about their feelings and, on a daily basis, state things that make them happy and proud. They do address a few sensitive subjects like the possibly serious consequences of burying one's feelings, the fine line between appropriate and inappropriate touching, and the danger that someone could feel so "down" that they might try to hurt themselves. Since it was last updated in 1999, it is lacking in any observations on technology and how it might impact one’s ability to achieve the suggested goals. Although the book definitely feels less current and possibly less powerful as a result, the concepts are still relevant and important. There is still plenty of good information to be found within these pages, like the fact that “when we care what someone else thinks of us, we give that person power over us.” Readers can pull out what would be helpful to them or an adult can read it to get ideas on how to speak to and assist their child. Some will find helpful parenting methods, like offering kids choices versus simply telling them what to do. In addition to helping kids understand their feelings, it offers alternative behaviors and ways out of bad situations. Keep this one on your bookshelf as a resource, just in case you need it. |
Author: Gershen Kaufman, Lev Raphael, Pamela Espeland Illustrator: n/a Published: 1999, 128 pages
Themes: Behavior, Bullying, Friendship, Growing Up, Identity, Independence, Life Skills, Non-Fiction, Self-Awareness/Discovery |
Sweet Discussion Questions:
• Will you behave differently or make different choices after reading this book?
• Are there some places where it is easier to stick up for yourself than others? School? Home? Sports?
• Would you recommend this book to your friends?
• Can you apply this advice in real life?
• Should parents read this book too?
• Are their situations when it is important to care what other people think of you?
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| This recommendation was written by: Melissa G. |
| Support Independent Book Shops: Click Here to Buy this Book on IndieBound |
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