Libby Kiszner is a weekly columnist, author, educator, and a mother of nine. Over the last fifteen years she has answered close to two thousand questions in her column. She has written several books to a wide audience of readers from different cultural backgrounds.Libby senses and cherishes the vitality and potential in every living creation. Her personal life and work are deeply infused by the belief that reconnecting with our most authentic selves inspires us to become meaningful givers, devoting ourselves to the wellbeing of others.
"Like grownups, children have stress. However, they often have
fewer resources for dealing with that stress. Many keep their upset
feelings to themselves, stuffing their issues deep inside where
they will fester for many decades to come. Feelings that are not
resolved promptly can cause illness, academic problems, social
problems, and even spiritual problems. They also cause great
suffering. Libby Kiszner provides an important venue for the
education and healing of childhood emotional distress. By reading
this valuable book, children can gain an insight into their own
inner world and also better understand the dilemmas of their peers.
The book provides a recipe for healthy emotional functioning that
can lead to a definite boost in the emotional intelligence (EQ) of
any child who reads it. I highly recommend that parents keep a copy
of this book around the house. It can open dialogue, provide
reassurance and information, teach an emotional self-care strategy,
and much more."
—Sarah Chana Radcliffe, EdM, C.Psych., author of Raise Your Kids
without Raising Your Voice
"This book is a wonderful addition for any teenager girl struggling
to accept herself and her teen life challenges. Libby shares
numerous methods to help teen girls create a transformative shift
in their life. Highly recommended."
—Barry Green, PhD
"Libby’s column plays an integral role in the magazine. It is a
spot where our readers from around the globe seek help in areas of
family, friendship, and personal dilemmas. Her responses are always
thought provoking and have really helped many throughout the years.
Libby has acquired a marvelous reputation by children and adults
alike."
—Libby Tescher, Mishpacha Junior editor
"Growing up is not easy for anyone. Just when you think you've got
life all figured out, along comes yet another challenge that throws
you through a loop. It may have to do with a friend or a relative
or even how you feel about yourself. Which is why this book is so
very important. Libby understands the things that bother you and
knows just what to say to help you figure out how to handle the
most complicated situations. After reading this book, you will
realize that you can handle your unique set of challenges in your
own unique way."
—Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, International speaker, storyteller, and
author of twenty-seven books
"Dear Libby strikes me as a wonderful work, addressing various
anxiety-provoking issues which affect virtually all latency and
adolescent girls. It is very readable and useable–and helpful for
children and their parents. It deals in a subtle, sophisticated,
but understandable way with very important concerns: relationships,
bullying, avoiding ruptures, self-esteem, empathy, self-reflection,
and proactivity."
—Paul C. Holinger, MD, MPH, Training/supervising analyst at the
Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis
"I have no doubt that Libby Kiszner’s highly relatable book, Dear
Libby, will convince teens that their tough issues regarding
friendships do not reflect a problem within themselves (as many
teenagers tend to believe) but rather are normal occurrences—part
of life’s ups and downs—that invite them to grow, respond
thoughtfully, and, most of all, stay true to themselves. Kiszner’s
book offers immeasurable comfort by reminding teens that feeling
hurt, lost, or confused with friendships is something we all deal
with at times. Full of terrific wisdom and practical strategies,
this book acts as a guidebook, a compass to help teens to not just
deal with their problems at hand but also develop healthy patterns,
boundaries, and perspectives around friendships that can last well
beyond the teenage years. Highly recommend!"
—Erin Leyba, LCSW, PhD, author of Joy Fixes for Weary Parents
From the readers of the Dear Libby column:
“I wish you'd been around when I was younger.” —F. Safran
“Dear Libby has become a household name.” —C. Ehrenster
“Although I am a woman in my forties, I look forward to your
column.” —S. Jacobs
“You’ve made a quantitative impact on young people.” —Y.
Peterseil
“Dear Libby, I love your column in the magazine. I always read it
first.” —Anonymous
“Dear Libby, every time I read the magazine, I turn to Dear Libby.
I know that your column is meant for children and teens, and I'm in
my midthirties, but there is something about your responses that is
very empowering, resonates with me, and feels like it's rooted in
truth.” —Anonymous
“Dear Libby, how do you always know what to answer? Many times I
read the question and then cover the answer to try to figure it out
myself. But your answers always have a fresh and original twist.”
—S.K., Brooklyn
“Dear Libby, your answers are always loving.” —Mrs.
Feldman
“Most popular column.” —Judith from the Mishpacha production
department
"Kiszner shares a novel approach of showing young people how to
deal with their problems. Her emphasis on the inner self is quite
enlightening, and the examples of how to react to problems by
focusing on the inner self will be helpful in dealing with the
challenges faced by our youth today."
—Rabbi S. Aisenstark, Dean of Beth Jacob Teachers College of
Montreal
"Libby has a wonderful feel for the emotional roller-coaster life
of preteens and young teenagers! Her advice and guidance are
sensible and wise and written in an engaging and straightforward
manner. It should be required reading for all adolescents and
younger teens, or perhaps the source material for a class in
school.In our challenging times, it's not only a wonderful resource
for teens but also for their parents—a resource to guide them in
how to engage in, relate to, and respond to their struggles."
—Rabbi Shimon Russell, LCSW
"I read this very sensitive, intuitive, and intelligent book that
deals with the very important subject of friendships with such
great pleasure. While the book seems intended for our youth, the
messages contained in these often poetic and always beautifully
articulated letters are timeless and accurate for people of all
ages.
We live in socially challenging times. Friends are often measured
in numbers and by very superficial definitions. It is important
that every young person understands the important lessons
articulated in this book."
—Zecharya Greenwald, Dean of Me’ohr Bais Yaakov Teachers
Seminary
"In these turbulent times Mrs Kiszner is providing the guidance and
clarity needed to help so many children (and adults) to navigate
through the confusion. Even more so is the fact that she, through
her caring and sensitive answers, has become a friend and companion
for the so many children (and adults) that have no where else to
turn. In addition and aside from her wisdom and care she makes sure
to infuse the questioner with the power of the positive so that he
or she will become empowered and will gain the strength to face
their issues and to apply these wise suggestions
This is truly a great act of kindness and a great service for
so many young people. In my humble opinion, if you are a child a
teen (or an adult) living in these turbulent times, you should make
it a priority to read this book. You will not be sorry."
—Rabbi Dov Brezak, Author of Chinuch in Turbulent Times
"Kiszner, an advice columnist for magazine Mispacha Junior,
compiles letters from young readers seeking council about
friendship and other subjects. Letters address issues of
self-esteem, bullying, anxiety, social isolation, and self-harm,
and many explore sensitivity and embarrassment: 'I turn red for
every stupid thing, like talking to my teachers and friends.
Sometimes they ask me why I am blushing and I start blushing even
more!!' Kiszner advises the letter writer to not worry as much
about showing feelings: 'When we don’t feel the need to hide our
emotions, do we blush at all?' Kiszner offers self-care tips
(including breathing exercises and tactics for interrupting
negative self-talk) and suggestions for connecting with others
through the use of 'I' messages. The letters address highly
relatable concerns, providing an opportunity for readers to
commiserate with peers while helping them to build an emotional
toolset for constructive communication. Ages 9–up. (Aug.)"
—Publishers Weekly
"If you’ve ever felt alone, different, or rejected by someone you
thought was your friend (and who hasn’t?), you now have somewhere
to turn. Dear Libby is filled with wise advice and practical steps
for bringing more love and better relationships into your world.
This is a book to read and reread as you journey through life and
to share with the special people you’ll meet along the way."
—Libi Astaire, author of the Jewish Regency Mystery Series
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