Jessica Speer is a highly acclaimed author of books for kids and teens. Blending social science, stories, and fun activities, her writing unpacks tricky stuff that surfaces during childhood and adolescence. She has a master’s degree in social sciences and explores topics in ways that connect with kids.
NEW RELEASE! The Phone Book
Book Summary: So . . . you got a phone! You can text your friends, play games, and take cool pictures! You have the whole world in your pocket—power to be used as a force for good or, um, not so good.
But have no fear —The Phone Book is here! Packed with research-based explanations, techy tidbits, and stories, this book explores healthy phone habits and ways to stay safe online. Plus, fun activities and secret codes reveal the power of your phone and your superpowers to wield it as a force for good.
Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised
Book Summary: Yes, there are cool things about middle school, like more independence, new friends, and new activities. But there’s baffling stuff too, like harsh judgment, the whole “popularity” thing, and, of course, drama. With fun illustrations and choose-your-own-adventure-style scenarios, this book will help you deal with the drama and define who you are when things get, well, weird.
*2023 Colorado Book Award Finalist
*2023 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Winner (Social Issues Category)
BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships
Book Summary: Packed with fun quizzes, colorful illustrations, and stories about girls just like you, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships is the ultimate interactive guidebook to help readers learn the ins and outs of friendship. Explore topics such as gossip, drama, and feeling left out, along with ways to strengthen the friendships that mean the most to you.
*2022 Kids Book Choice Award Finalist
*2021 Royal Dragonfly Book Award Winner – Silver (Kids Activity Book Category)
Jessica Speer’s Latest Blog Posts
Middle School Stuff #10: Stress
This series of articles explores what students told me about the trickier parts of middle school. Here’s the final post in this series – #10 Stress. If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #1 – Judgment, #2 – Friendship Changes, #3 – Popularity, #4 – Crushes & Dating, # 5 – Cliques & Groups,…
Middle School Stuff #9: Peer Pressure
This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post #9 about Peer Pressure. If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #1 – Judgment, #2 – Friendship Changes, #3 – Popularity, #4 – Crushes & Dating, # 5 – Cliques & Groups, #6 – Gossip, #7 – Social Media and #8…
Helping Kids Understand Mindful and Mindless Screen Time
This post defines mindful and mindless screen time, and offers ways to help kids become more aware of their own screen behaviors. My teen daughter takes a break from TikTok over the summer. This is no easy task, given that staying up-to-date on trends means staying current on what is happening on social media for…