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 Her second book, Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised, releases Summer 2022.
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.
BFF or NRF 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
“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
Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised (Releasing 8.2.2022)
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.
Jessica Speer’s Latest Blog Posts
BFF or NRF Friendship Truth #4
In BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships, I share nine “Friendship Truths.” These truths help normalize kids’ social experiences. Whether it’s changing friendships, conflict, or mistakes, they help preteens and teens understand it isn’t just them. Relationships are tricky sometimes. These truths do not eliminate discomfort or struggle. Instead,Continue reading “BFF or NRF Friendship Truth #4”
BFF or NRF Friendship Truth #3
During the research phase of writing BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships, I honed in on nine “friendship truths.” These truths are simple but easy to forget, especially during times of struggle. I share these truths in my work and my book because they help normalize kids’ experiences. WhetherContinue reading “BFF or NRF Friendship Truth #3”
The Friendship Pyramid
The definition of the word “friend” varies from person to person. Maybe it describes the people you spend time with or go to for support. To some, it describes classmates, teammates, or neighbors. To others, it’s all of the above. To add more complexity, people have different expectations and needs in friendship. This ambiguity makesContinue reading “The Friendship Pyramid”