Surviving Cliques
Written by: David Brennan CYW, B.A. CYC (Cert.)
Well, it is that inevitable time of year. The evenings are getting darker,
the weather a bit chillier, and if you’re a girl in high school, your friends
area little more complicated. School is back for millions of teenagers across
North America, and while some are forming new relationships and
friendships, others are seeing their BFFs grow more distant.
Luckily, Susan Sprague has developed “Coping with Cliques,” a workbook
for teens to deal with the issues of gossip, put-downs, and bullying. After
all, sticks and stones may not break any bones, but the damage is forever apparent in the girl’s psyche.
This book is perfect for the young woman who likes to write. Many of the 40 activities are geared towards recognizing feelings and what to do or say in certain situations. The language of the book is perfect for the emerging young woman as it mixes current slang with real life scenarios. Each question also has a very restorative justice feel to it as it really gets to the heart of how a person feels in certain situations.
The title does not fit the content of the book, as the book is more about empowering young women to gain the necessary skills in order to survive high school. Regardless of the title, the content is current, relevant, and in a language that young people can understand.
So if your client’s first day of school was more of an OMG because her BFF dropped her, it’s time to pick up “Coping with Cliques” by Susan Sprague. You’ll be glad you did. This is a resource I recommend for anyone working with teenage girls.
David Brennan is a Child and Youth Worker for the Toronto District School Board and is a Certified Restorative Justice Facilitator. David sits on the OACYC board of directors as chair of the school-based committee, and recently upgraded his skills by completing the Child and Youth Care program at Ryerson University. Brennan’s Best is a regular column for the OACYC Chronicle, the TDSB intranet, and Source RE Source.com
