Dear Libby

August 13, 2018
Kiszner, an advice columnist for magazine Mispacha Junior, compiles letters from young readers seeking council about friendship and other subjects. Letters address issues of self-esteem, bullying, anxiety, social isolation, and self-harm, and many explore sensitivity and embarrassment: “I turn red for every stupid thing, like talking to my teachers and friends. Sometimes they ask me why I am blushing and I start blushing even more!!” Kiszner advises the letter writer to not worry as much about showing feelings: “When we don’t feel the need to hide our emotions, do we blush at all?” Kiszner offers self-care tips (including breathing exercises and tactics for interrupting negative self-talk) and suggestions for connecting with others through the use of “I” messages. The letters address highly relatable concerns, providing an opportunity for readers to commiserate with peers while helping them to build an emotional toolset for constructive communication. Ages 9–up.

February 1, 2019

Gr 5 Up-Advice columnist Kiszner answers questions teens have about friendship. The advice is thoughtful and helpful. Rather than focus on specific social skills, though Libby does that too, the advice is centered on teens building a sense of well-being and self-care. The book is divided into six parts, each focusing on things like "seeing yourself" and "building yourself" to "keep growing yourself." Short activities are included to help develop these skills. The question and answer format lends itself to being read in a random order, which adds to its accessibility. VERDICT An excellent addition to libraries looking to bolster their self-help section.-Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Brooklyn

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