Dear Libby

Growing up is never easy, but the teen years can be especially difficult. Many teens feel they have no one to talk to and no place to turn. An experienced counselor can help kids navigate the difficult teen years, and that is what this book tries to do. Using a format of advice columns, author Libby Kiszner, an advice columnist, educator, counselor, and mother of nine, passes along a great deal of advice in seven chapters: See Yourself, Care for Yourself, Comfort Yourself, Listen to Yourself, Express Yourself, Connect with Others, and Keep Growing. The letters included purport to be from teens, but they are either made up or highly edited. They certainly don’t sound like letters that would have been written by real teens. The advice given is sound and helpful, but comes across as achromatic, emotionless, and a little preachy. While some teens will certainly find comfort and help in this book, wide readership among teens is unlikely due to the tone and language found in both the letters and the concomitant advice and counsel. That said, this would be a useful addition to middle school and high school libraries.