Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice: A Teen Girl's Guide to Unlearning the Rules

Meredith Wagler
Illustrated by Nina Cosford
Foreword by Amy Poehler
Skip to product information

Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice: A Teen Girl's Guide to Unlearning the Rules

Meredith Wagler
Illustrated by Nina Cosford
Foreword by Amy Poehler
Release date:
Regular price $16.99
Sale price $16.99 Regular price $0.00
Final Sale. No returns or exchanges.
Oversized: This item will be shipped by appointment through our delivery partner.
Overweight: This item will be shipped by appointment through our delivery partner.

Digital download

Immediate access in your Kobo library

Deliver to

In stock online. Free shipping on orders over $49

Buy online, pick up at Bay & Floor

Free pick up today

Find it in store

Out of stock

Found in: Teens, Life Ages 13+

Earn 85 plum points and save more with plum Rewards. Learn more

View full details

Overview

176 PAGESENGLISH

Promotional Details

Cofounder of the Smart Girls organization (along with Amy Poehler, who contributes an introduction), former talent head at Saturday Night Live, and former producer at Nick News, Walker brings experience and humor to this guide for teen girls. A reaction to the overused phrase “just be yourself,” this book takes a deeper dive into self-exploration, encouraging readers to understand, think for, and appreciate themselves. Through topical, scaffolded chapters written in a conversational style, Walker urges girls to consider their emotional awareness, values, purpose over passion, learning from failure, the effects of social media, and more. For instance, with the concept of success, the author directs readers away from an idealized view to one that values exploration, gratitude, and good work. Guided, open-ended questions lead girls to take charge of their beliefs and attitudes on these topics. A culminating chapter encourages action, reminding readers they have the skills to say no, apologize, ask for help, and handle embarrassment. This sharp guide offers valuable support to teens and allows for continuing self-discovery.

Angela Leeper, Booklist
  • Published date: May 12, 2026
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 176
  • Publisher: Workman Kids
  • ISBN: 9781523525034
  • Dimensions: 5.1" W x 0.022" L x 8.0" H

Meredith Walker began her career in journalism at the groundbreaking Nickelodeon series Nick News. She worked her way up from production assistant to segment producer, traveling the country to interview kids, experts, politicians, and artists for news stories. She later moved to Saturday Night Live, where she ran the talent department, before she and Amy Poehler cofounded Smart Girls, an online community that encourages young women to celebrate who they are and who they are becoming. 

Through programs, workshops, and day camps, Meredith has helped girls try new things and discover more about themselves. That work has taken her from classrooms and regional programs to the White House, the United Nations, and communities around the world. She now lives in Austin, Texas, with her longtime love, Tom, and their dogs Banjo and Farris. 

Nina Cosford has illustrated more than twenty books. She lives in the United Kingdom. 

 

Recently Viewed