Jessica Speer is an author focused on helping kids and families thrive. Her award-winning book, BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girl’s Guide to Happy Friendships released August 2021.
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 (ages 8-12) 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.
Book Reviews
“With the recent emphasis on social-emotional learning, this guide discusses friendship in an accessible way.”
School Library Journal
“This is a great guide for empowering young girls on how to navigate friendships in positive, healthy ways!”
Trudy Ludwig, Author of My Secret Bully and The Invisible Boy
“Many girls struggle with friendship issues in elementary and middle school. This book provides a clear roadmap for girls to successfully navigate difficult friendships while helping them gain social awareness, skills and confidence in the process.”
– Dr. Cherylee E. Hirsch, Psy.D., School Psychologist
“A wonderfully empowering read! Although geared toward younger females, this book is a must-read for those who want to help cultivate an awareness of the powerful nature of TRUE friendships!”
Dr. Carla Marie Manly, Clinical Psychologist and Author
“Insightful, easy to read, and incredibly helpful! In a supportive and encouraging tone you’d want from a best friend, BFF or NRF gives you real solutions to friendship challenges. The fun and useful quizzes, and the unique Friendship Pyramid, combined with the nurturing wisdom and loving guidance you’ll find in these pages will help pre-teens and teens to navigate the sometimes rough waters of friendships both today and in the future. It really is a must-read!”
Denise Marek, Author of CALM for Moms Who Worry, and CALM: A Proven Four-Step Process Designed Specifically for Women Who Worry
“I really loved this book! It helped me understand my friendships a lot better. The quizzes and activities are really fun. I like all the stories about other girls too. I realized that lots of girls have friendship struggles, not just me.”
– Gigi (Age 10)
Jessica Speer’s Latest Blog Posts
BFF OR NRF FRIENDSHIP TRUTH #1: Our Healthiest Friendships Feel Safe and Accepting
During the research phase of writing BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships, I honed in on “friendship truths” that are common yet unfamiliar to many. Truths such as “everyone develops friendship skills at a different pace” and “mistakes happen” are simple but easy to forget, especially during times ofContinue reading “BFF OR NRF FRIENDSHIP TRUTH #1: Our Healthiest Friendships Feel Safe and Accepting”
What if my daughter doesn’t want to be friends with someone?
What if your daughter prefers not to be friends with someone? How do parents encourage their kids to be kind while also helping them respond to their own needs?
Behind The Book BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)?
The celebrate the release of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships, here is a peek into the inspiration and research behind the book.