The ALA's Amelia Bloomer List: Empowering Books for Girls

Each year the Feminist Task Force of the American Library Association compiles The Amelia Bloomer List, a list of books that celebrate the strengths of girls and women. I was thrilled to learn that my book, You're Amazing, is one of their 2009 selections!

You can see the full list here. It includes fiction and non-fiction recommendations for early readers, middle readers and young adults.

Michelle Obama's Inaugural Ball Gown? Amazing. Here's Why.

There was a lot to celebrate about the inauguration, but I did an extra little cartwheel (Okay, a cartwheel in my mind. But it was a good one.) when I saw that Michelle Obama's gorgeous ball gown was designed by Jason Wu.

The executive director of Jason Wu's studio is Michelle Taveras, one of the role models I interviewed for You're Amazing! As a teen, Michelle spoke about the media's influence on girls in the U.S. at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. Today she is a leader in Jason Wu's company. Clearly this is a woman who knows something about making history. Here's a piece of advice she offers to girls everywhere:

"I think we grow when we step out of our comfort zone. We feel uncomfortable and vulnerable and that's OK. It is only then that we are strong and bold enough to tackle our fears and evolve to the next level."

Keep taking risks and taking it to the next level, Michelle. It's working for you!

You're Amazing! in Brooklyn Tomorrow

If you're in the New York area, bring your daughters, nieces, little sisters, friends, and neighbors to Blue Ribbon General Store on Saturday, October 18th. I'll be reading from my book, You're Amazing! A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your Best Self, and conducting self-esteem activities for girls from 12-1:30 p.m. You'll be free in time for some Brooklyn brunching. All the details are here.

Back to School: The Brands, The Labels, and The Pressure to Have the “Right” Look

It's that time of year when girls start stressing about what to wear because they don't want to be teased and tormented at school. A new poll conducted by the British Association of Teachers and Lecturers reveals that advertising's increasing influence on kids is partly to blame for this pressure, which makes a certain set of Wal-Mart commercials I saw this weekend that much more offensive. Today I'm over at Shine talking about the ads, and offering some tips on how to help girls deal with all the brand mania. See you there.

You're Amazing! Events This Week

Are you in NYC? Hope you can make it to one (or both!) of these events:

I'm on the bill for Great Teen Reads Night at Books of Wonder, Wednesday August 6th, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Books of Wonder is one of my favorite spots in New York, and not just because it happens to be attached to The Cupcake Cafe!

This super deluxe reading and signing also includes Melissa Walker (Violet on the Runway, Violet by Design and her brand new release, Violet in Private); New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann (Wake); Linda Gerber (Death by Bikini, P.S. Did you enter Linda's giveaway-to-end-all-giveaways yet?); Katie Davis (The Curse of Addy McMahon); and Jenny Davidson (The Explosionist).

Brooklyn Flea, Sunday, August 10th, 10 a.m. until I can't take the heat (literally).

I'll be selling and signing books at the flea this Sunday! I'm sharing a table with photographer extraordinaire Kate Glicksberg. She's the one who made me look all reflective and professional in my author pic. Come on by and see us. I'll be the one in the sun hat and slathered in SPF 45. Yeah, I'm a delicate flower.

You're Amazing! A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your Best Self

On the off chance that you haven't already heard me shouting it from the rooftops, I would like to formally announce that my book for girls is out this week!

You're Amazing! A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your Best Self is based on the Girls Inc. "Supergirl Dilemma" study, which shows that girls are feeling increasing pressures to be perfect and please everyone. Perfectionism is a major source of girls' stress (60% of girls in the study reported that they often feel stressed), low self-esteem, and poor body image. That's the bad news. The good news is that with the right tools and support systems, girls can learn to give up the quest to be "super" and start celebrating what makes them amazing. My hope is that this book will help to kick off that celebration.

I would like to say a big, big thanks to you, dear readers! Your support and kind words have meant so much to me. Speaking of amazing...you all fit the bill.

Related links:

• Read praise for You're Amazing!
• Win an autographed copy.
• Listen to a mother and daughter discuss the book.
• Become a fan on Facebook.
• Become a friend on MySpace.