Sievers (co-author of It’s Your Mind: Own it! A Manual for Every Teen) offers a fresh take on self-development in this entertaining but weighty guide. Drawing on her experience as a licensed clinical social worker, she tackles crucial issues impacting younger readers, and offers them creative ways to cope, emphasizing above all else that everyone is "a masterpiece in progress.” With an emphasis on staying curious and viewing mistakes as opportunities, Sievers teaches clever problem-solving skills juxtaposed with rigorous explanations of the science behind them, all while presenting each concept in a playful, upbeat manner that will resonate with tween and teen readers.The power of positive thinking ripples throughout Sievers’s writing, and adult caregivers will applaud her insistence on celebrating diversity: she addresses why different perspectives are not only necessary but helpful, stresses the importance of viewing diversity as a strength, and is attentive to the unique needs of her readers—including touching on neurodiversity, which is often overlooked in similar literature. Likewise, bold black and white illustrations by Darcy Cline give the subject matter a cheerful edge (while incorporating welcome diversity) even for the most serious of topics. And readers should expect substance along with the fun, as Sievers explores a host of essentials, from detailing brain processes to breaking down Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences.
Sievers’s willingness to employ a variety of resources is what sets this guide apart from classic self-help writing for younger readers, and her inclusion of group exercises at the end, offering adults enrichment activities to go along with each chapter, is invaluable. Every concept is accompanied by creative and kid-friendly worksheets that will energize readers and leave them eager to try out Sievers’s teachings, whether by designing their own comic strip on working together or rewriting lyrics to their favorite songs as an anxiety buster. Readers of any age will find this worthwhile.
Takeaway: A comprehensive and entertaining self-development guide for middle-grade readers.
Great for fans of: Imogen Harrison’s The Worry Workbook, Andy Cope, Gavin Oattes, and Will Hussey’s Diary of a Brilliant Kid.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
