Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons

This is kind of a retroactive blog post, but with bullying in the news so much these days, this book has not left my mind. Odd Girl Out is a meticulously researched book, packed with interviews with real preteen and teenage girls. Oftentimes, parents don't realize the true extent of their daughters' struggles in school--girls can be especially adept at hiding that pain. This book focuses on the notion that, while boys take out their aggression in physical ways (i.e., a fight), girls fight a psychological battle that can last years. Girls can be shunned, teased, and publicly humiliated with horrible rumors. You'll be amazed at the cruelty Simmons has uncovered through her interviews. Simmons' dappling in social psychology manages to be informative while not overbearing, making this book accessible for all ages.

Simmons pairs this look into the world of bullying with realistic advice for both young girls and their parents. (Yes, despite what the quote on the cover says, dads can benefit from reading this too.) A book like this is especially crucial in this day and age, where constant texting, Facebook, Myspace and Twitter make "cyber bullying" a hot-button issue.

Beth gives it five out of five carrots!
Click here to order this book at The Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop.