Confidence

I fondly remember the Ginnie series from my own childhood. Ginnie, age 11ish, navigates a 50’s suburban world. Though out of print, you can often find these books used on Amazon or eBay. This particular book is excellent for discussing with your daughter the downfalls of being a follower, how to pursue one’s own interests, and how to navigate the difficult social world girls often face. Ginnie and Geneva have been best friends for ages, but when a new girl comes between them, Ginnie is at a loss for how to cope, as she is so reliant on Geneva. Ginnie’s mother shows her how to develop her own interests and not wait for Geneva to return. Ultimately, Geneva sees Ginnie’s confidence and this is one of the things that restarts their friendship.

This book is a good springboard for discussions about the social world with our daughters. Through Mother’s gentle guidance and Ginnie’s willingness to step out of her comfort zone, this book models an effective way to handle when a friend is suddenly no longer your friend.

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Author: Paula Danziger

Publisher: Puffin (2006)

Binding: Paperback, 160 pages

Self-conscious, 13-year-old Marcy deals with a poor self-image, a tyrannical father, and an enabling mother. Her life begins to change with the arrival of a new English teacher, Ms. Finney, who challenges her ideas about everything. When Ms. Finney is suspended, Marcy finds herself in a new position at school and at home in which she can no longer sink into the shadows.

One thing I like about this book is how Marcy learns about having the courage to stand up for what you believe in. Her process of acquiring this knowledge is quite overt, and conversations about it are blunt, which makes it easy to see. You can dig the groovy 70’s lingo, too.