Stick Up for Yourself: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem (Revised & Updated Edition) [Paperback]

Gershen Kaufman (Author), Lev Raphael (Author), Pamela Espeland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1999 | Age Range: 8 and up

First published in 1990, this perennial best-seller has helped countless children build self-esteem and assertiveness skills.

Newly revised and updated, it’s the ultimate resource for any kid who’s ever been picked on at school, bossed around, blamed for things he or she didn’t do, or treated unfairly—and for any kid who sometimes feels frustrated, angry, powerless, or scared. Simple words and real-life examples show how children can stick up for themselves with other kids (including bullies and teasers), big sisters and brothers, even grown-ups.

Kids learn how to build relationships, become responsible, manage their anger, grow a “feelings vocabulary,” make good choices, solve problems, set goals, and “store” happiness and pride. Questions from real kids are paired with answers about how to handle specific situations calmly, confidently, and effectively. A special note to parents and teachers explores the “self-esteem backlash” and explains what self-esteem really is—and why kids today need it more than ever.

A wealth of practical, encouraging, realistic advice, this empowering little book is also recommended for parents, teachers, and counselors.
Part of the Bully Free Kids™ line

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Sensible, inviting, never condescending or preachy. . . . A well-crafted book.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

“Provides the stepping-stones that lead to positive choices and self-confidence.”—KLIATT

“A great resource for classroom exercises, as well as for any group that works with teens.”—National Parenting Center

National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval

Parent Council® Selection

About the Author

Gershen Kaufman was educated at Columbia University and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Rochester. Professor in the Counseling Center and Psychology Department at Michigan State University, he is the author of Shame: The Power of Caring and The Psychology of Shame: Theory and Treatment of Shame-Based Syndromes. He is the coauthor with Lev Raphael of Dynamics of Power: Fighting Shame and Building Self-Esteem and Coming Out of Shame.

Lev Raphael was educated at Fordham University and received his M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from Michigan State University, where he has taught as an assistant professor of American Thought and Language.

With Gershen Kaufman, he codeveloped and cotaught the program, “Affect and Self-Esteem,” on which the books Dynamics of Power and Stick Up for Yourself! are based. Book critic for National Public Radio’s “The Todd Mundt Show” and “Mysteries” columnist for The Detroit Free Press, he is the author of three Nick Hoffman mysteries, most recently The Death of a Constant Lover.

Pamela Espeland has authored, coauthored, or edited over 200 books for Free Spirit Publishing on a variety of subjects. Pamela graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and currently lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two little dogs.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; 2 Revised edition (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420686
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420684
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

175 of 179 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent read for any human being, regardless of age March 24, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Self esteem is absolutely essential in dealing with the challenges of life. Feeling good about yourself because of who you are rather than who your friends think you should be is what will help your child (and you) deal with peer pressure and making positive decisions. This book offers examples and suggestions that will help you develop a healthy and secure sense of yourself and your world. I bought it for my kids, but found it a great read for myself and a great resource for helping my children feel good about themselves and easing the pressure they often feel from their peers. It tells you not only how to take responsibility for your feelings, needs, and behaviors, it explains why that's important. A great find. Our whole family will benefit from this book.

66 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST SELF-HELP BOOK FOR KIDS ... October 8, 2005

By Betty L. Dravis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

A teacher at school recommended this book to a neighbor. Her son was having trouble with bullies, and with guidance from this book, he learned a lot about self-esteem, self-confidence, and the power gained by sticking up for himself.

What a joy to see the change in this young man. I recommend it for every parent. It's not only helpful in handling school-yard bullies, it also trains the children to have the confidence to handle bullies in the workforce and other situations throughout their lives.

This author is to be highly commended for the help she's giving children, enabling them to have better, happier, more productive lives.

54 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Susan Ashley, Ph.D. Author of The ADD and ADHD Answer Book October 31, 2005

By Susan Ashley, Ph.D.

Format:Paperback

As a child psychologist who has been helping children with their social skills for over 20 years now, I use this very book in my social skills group therapy. Parents can read this with their child or give it to their child to read alone. Great for children with AD/HD, ODD and Asperger's....all of whom get teased and rejected by their peers. If your child needs this book he or she would probably benefit from a social skills group too.