by Brittney Cooper, Chanel Craft Tanner, and Susana Morris

This is a book I wish had existed when I was a teenager. Written by three Black women who are members of the Crunk Feminist Collective, this guide to crushing girlhood is a fun and relevant way to get teenage girls thinking about how to be their best, most authentic selves. It speaks to setting boundaries, getting along with family, finding a crew of friends that support you, how to ask someone out, developing a positive sense of self-worth, and many more essential topics for surviving and thriving. The authors chime in with details from their own experiences and are so good about sharing their wisdom in a non-judgmental way that still allows young people to figure things out for themselves without being told exactly what they need to do or else. While it is primarily written for Black teenage girls, I think it's probably useful advice for most of us. The six-hour audio-book felt like a really good pep talk from someone who you respect and who respects you right back.

See the Jones Library Antiracism Book List for recommended titles for all ages.