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Recommend a book for a quiet, body conscious 16 yr old girl to help her develop more Agency?

8 replies

LilacAlien · 22/07/2024 16:09

My daughter is 16 and like a lot of teenage girls, she seems to suffer from body image/dysmorphia issues.
She is also very quiet and even though she has friends in school she doesn't initiate any contact outside of school and tends to spend most of her time on her computer.
Is there a book that you would recommend for her that might cause her to reflect on her situation and perhaps initiate meet ups with her friends etc.
Thanks

OP posts:
LilacAlien · 22/07/2024 22:40

Anyone?

OP posts:
Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 22/07/2024 22:44

Is it really an issue? Is she genuinely dismorphic or is it typical girl "I'm too fat" tale as old as time stuff?

Maybe she's doing what makes her happy?!

LilacAlien · 22/07/2024 22:53

She was a very happy and quite outgoing child. Puberty and lockdown seemed to have an adverse effect on her.

OP posts:
CountFucula · 22/07/2024 22:54

Yes! I highly recommend More Than A Body
by Lexie Kite

LilacAlien · 22/07/2024 23:05

CountFucula · 22/07/2024 22:54

Yes! I highly recommend More Than A Body
by Lexie Kite

Thanks very much. That sounds good. Do you think it is readable for a 16 year old? (albeit quite a bright, opinionated 16 year)

OP posts:
notnowmrshudson · 04/06/2025 11:37

This one is an app but quite educational and empowering tool as a book: weareluna. dd14 uses it and experts discuss a lot about puberty and body positivity for teens. x

Bettyyyy · 04/06/2025 16:34

My niece is 15 and going through something similar. She's super smart, quiet, spends a lot of time online, and can be pretty hard on herself about her appearance.
A couple of books she actually liked (and that seemed to help her feel a bit more seen) were Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow (emotional but really beautifully written) and The Confidence Code for Girls. That one felt kind of “young” at first, but it had a lot of really practical stuff that clicked with her.
Maybe one of those could resonate with your daughter too.

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