Blending stories, fun activities, a dash of science, and practical insights, Jessica Speer’s books unpack the 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 and teens.
COMING SUMMER 2023: The Phone Book (Pre-Order Now!)
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.
– Middle School Accolades-
- FIVE-STAR REVIEW BY Kids Book Buzz
- FEATURED IN DAILY MOMS 18 Winter Books To Help Spread Holiday Cheer
- STARRED REVIEW BY ETrain Talks Book Review
–Middle School Book Reviews–
“New friends, new activities, more independence, odd behaviors, drama… sounds a little like middle school. And this is perfect guidebook to help understand what’s going on, to deal with the drama, and to navigate when things get weird. Insights from hundreds of students, amusing artwork, and pick your own adventure scenarios are bound to make any child ready for the halls of middle school.”
Midwest Book Review
“Jessica Speer’s latest book, Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised, is an absolute treasure and must-read for middle school students and those who love them. Based on the insights of hundreds of students, Speer sheds light on topics of real interest to kids—from social media and changing friendship groups, to navigating conflict, dealing with drama, managing stress, and surviving the harsh judgments of their friends. With a funny, engaging voice that keeps it interesting and the perfect amount of science that keeps it real, Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised is the kind of book that kids will read, re-read, bookmark, and study. I can’t wait to use it with my own students!”
Signe Whitson, Author of 8 Keys to End Bullying, The 8 Keys to End Bullying Activity Book, and Friendship & Other Weapons
“Jessica Speer’s latest book, Middle School- Safety Goggles Advised, is a must-read! An empowering resource for middle school students and a refreshing resource for adults alike. This book is a great guide to help navigate social situations, inspire students through self-reflective activities, and promote self-awareness and self-advocacy skills.“
Emily Schenk, Middle School Counselor CRC
“A stellar book for middle schoolers, parents, and educators. Kudos to author Jessica Speer for offering uplifting, humorous insights that can help children and adults alike move through the rocky realm of middle school with greater awareness and healthier skills. A must-read!”
Dr. Carly Manly, Clinical Psychologist and Author of Date Smart, Joy From Fear and Aging Joyfully
“This book is both wildly entertaining and helpful for all kids trying to navigate the ins and outs of middle school. Middle School: Safety Goggles Advised addresses the heart of what challenges kids at this age in their own words. Speer writes in a way that educates and empowers kids to come up with their best solutions to different scenarios with her gentle guidance, humor, and empathy. This book is a life-saver for parents whose middle schooler says, “You just don’t get it!”
Janice Scholl, Speaker and Podcast Host of Raising Middle School Girls
“As a 7th-grade teacher, I can attest to the fact that this book is on the mark. What 12-year-old wouldn’t love the engaging prose, quiz questions, and choose your own endings that this book provides?! With its upbeat tone, this “survival” book will certainly keep young readers’ attention while still honoring the incredibly challenging experiences that middle schoolers face.”
Ms. Ruzicka, Middle School Teacher
BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships
Book Summary: Let’s face it, friendships can be challenging. BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? tackles friendship struggles head-on, leaving readers informed and empowered as they navigate the tricky world of friendship.
Through fun activities, quizzes, and real stories, this book helps girls decipher healthy vs. unhealthy relationship skills and how to navigate struggles. But more importantly, this book gives girls a new perspective on friendship and the role they play in creating positive change.
–BFF or NRF Awards and Accolades–
- FINALIST: 2022 Kids Book Choice Awards (Best Non-Prose Book)
- AWARDED: 2021 Royal Dragonfly Book Award (Silver)
- FINALIST: 2022 Colorado Authors League Best Juvenile Book
- READING MIDDLE GRADE: Best 25 Middle-Grade Nonfiction Books
- DAILY MOM: 32 Ultimate Bookwork Gifts for Children and Teens
- READING FOR SANITY: Best Books of 2021
- PRETTY PROGRESSIVE: Best Books for Moms and Daughters
- READING MIDDLE GRADE: 10 Best Middle Grade Fiction and Non-Fiction Pairings
–BFF or NRF Book Reviews-
“With the recent emphasis on social-emotional learning, this guide discusses friendship in an accessible way…”
School Library Journal
“BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends): A Girl’s Guide to Happy Friendships takes a thoughtful and joyful approach that appeals to young teens and tweens but also to parents, grandparents, educators, and others interested in the well-being of young people. The advice in this delightful book is practical but also fun, written in a conversational style, and is a great resource to have around the house. It contains real-life situations, vignettes, scenarios, advice from other kids, practicing techniques, and fun quizzes to help readers remember the most important lessons. In other words, this isn’t another preachy tell-you-what-to-do book. It’s a friendly, interactive guidebook that shares how young people can learn about friendship and connection.”
Libby Kiszner, Columnist, Educator, and Author of Dear Libby – Will You Answer My Questions About Friendship? and other books
“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
“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