Pennsylvania School Librarians Association YA Award, Top Forty Non-Fiction Gelett Burgess Children's Book Honor Winner Mom’s Choice Awards, Gold Medal Being Me gives kids the tools they need to explore their strengths, feel successful, and be confident in school, with friends, and most importantly, with themselves. Loaded with kid-relevant examples, real-life stories, and easy-to-do tips and tricks, this handy guide will empower kids to feel happier and more secure and confident with themselves and with everyone else in their lives. Do you like being you? Do you have confidence in yourself? Do you believe that there are kids who can like you for who you are and want to hang out with you? If you answered NO to any of these questions, how about turning those NOs into know-how? Though the tips have little to do with mantras, this title might have kids eventually saying, I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me! A psychologist and a 25-year veteran in her field, Moss encourages her young audience to concentrate on two areas: focusing on inner self-esteem and building social confidence. Through procedure and practice—for instance, writing out strengths and weaknesses, role-playing scenarios, writing dialogue for impending social situations, and including family members and friends for support—Moss reminds kids that real confidence doesn’t come from being the smartest, prettiest, or the most popular one in the room but from the comfort one has with him- or herself. Sidebars with anecdotes and questions to ponder don’t entirely offset the text-heavy layout, which might not hold the attention of some readers. And, unfortunately, there are no further-reading suggestions, bibliography, or any other supplementary sources for kids to turn to. Still, Moss’ offering gives great tips for the truly interested. Grades 5-8. --Courtney Jones Pennsylvania School Librarians Association YA Award, Top Forty Non-Fiction Gelett Burgess Children's Book Honor Winner Mom’s Choice Awards, Gold Medal "A psychologist and 25-year veteran in her field, Moss encourages her young audience to concentrate on two areas: focusing on inner self-esteem and building social confidence. Through procedure and practice—for instance, writing out strengths and weaknesses, role-playing scenarios, writing dialogue for impending social situations, and including family members and friends for support—Moss reminds kids that real confidence doesn't come from being the smartest, prettiest, or the most popular one in the room but from the comfort one has with him- or herself."— Booklist "This confidence-boosting read gives kids real-life lessons on how to get through the tough stuff of childhood."— Scholastic Parent & Child "How we wish we had this wisdom when our crush Scottie told us we looked like a rutabaga."— Anxiety Free Child "Dr. Moss’s kid friendly book provides strategies aimed at learning to like who you are and how to deal with everyday 'growing-up' issues. Topics ranging from getting through “tough stuff” and meeting new kids, to asserting yourself to adults are presented in short attention-grabbing segments. Kids and parents alike can use this guide to help navigate the stormy waters of growing up."—Jane McNally, Springfield Township Middle School "Dr. Moss has written a wonderful as well as pragmatic book about discovering one's self. Often childhood and adolescence is a difficult road to navigate.  Being Me  is a great roadmap in which one can build confidence, self esteem, as well as increase essential coping mechanisms needed to manage these tumultuous years. Dr. Moss has filled the book with stories from kids, letting the reader connect their feelings with those in the book, allowing their experiences to be validated. In the 'feature box,' children and teens have a wealth of practical tools to add to their repertoire to be taken out and used when they need it the most. I wish I had a book like this when I was a 'tween.'"—Robin Deluca-Acconi, LCSW, Social Worker "Teachers, as an essential part of the educational process, ask students to expand their comfort zones. The development of confidence plays a critical role in a student's willingness to take intellectual and social risks. In  Being Me , Dr Wendy Moss demonstrates a unique ability to speak to children and parents in a nurturing conversational voice about developing self confidence. The simple strategies, practical advice and relevant examples provided in this book make it a valuable tool for parents, teachers and especially students. I will certainly keep a copy on my desk."—Terri Craco, Elementary Classroom Teacher "In her book,  Being Me , Dr. Moss uses a clear, concise and straightforward approach in addressing the very complex issues of growing up. Dr. Moss has a positive and thoughtful way of speaking to the reader in this easy to follow self-help book that children, teachers and parents will find valuable both in the classroom and at