How to be a difficult bitch Claim your power, ditch the haters, and feel good doing it

This self-help book beseeches young women to stop apologizing, stop compromising, and stop trying to be so nice. Instead, unleash that inner bitch! The introduction equates being a bitch with being empowered, and chapters offer encouragement and action steps in multiple realms: social media, relationships, language choice, health, body image, hair love, finance, school, extracurriculars, and activism. Advice is doled out in breezy, brief passages interspersed with hypothetical scenarios and "Shoulda Coulda Woulda" features that inspire reflection on past behavior. The book has four authors, and it's their commentary, representing various viewpoints, that sets this apart from other recent titles. In the intro, Bondy identifies as cisgender and white; Sharon Pruitt-Young as Black; Mary C. Fernandez as a Colombian immigrant, blind woman, and activist; and Zara Hanawalt as the child of immigrants from India. They acknowledge, too, that some readers face additional barriers. There are frank discussions about stereotyping, discrimination, prejudice, and keeping safe within various communities. The title and bright cover art will attract browsers; the real-world applications and affirmative messages will keep them reading.

An illustrated self-empowerment manual for teens. A bitch, according to Bondy's introduction, is a powerhouse, an agent of change who threatens the status quo in service of their personal well-being and for the greater good. The Difficult Bitch commandments read, in part, that Difficult Bitches shall "break boundaries for a better world," "stand up for themselves," and "own up," and shall not "worry about haters," "back down," or "be petty." Bondy and her co-authors are thorough and intentional about addressing the particular experiences and concerns of people of color and people with disabilities. They write that "people of any gender identity can be a Difficult Bitch and take the advice in this book." And what great, comprehensive advice it is. This slim volume packs a lot of wisdom, with chapters on body school; stress; internet safety; pursuing extracurricular passions; and more. The chapter on activism is a standout, as is the one covering money, employment, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. Every topic is presented with sections labeled "hypothetical," real-world scenarios followed by guidance that reflects the nuance and complexity of situations teens may find themselves in. The authors explore these critical topics in frank, compelling, and humorous ways. They address issues that matter to teen girls with deep empathy and age-appropriate language and without being condescending or preachy. A thoughtful, engaging, bad-ass crash course in moxie, self-confidence, and self-love. (further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.