JOURNAL ME! A Pocketbook for Girls Helen Raica-Klotz Paper, $9.95 207 pages, 4¼” x 7” ISBN 0-89390-449-X View Table of Contents View Excerpt Quantity:

Journal Me! A Pocketbook for Girls is a short, easy-to-read guide that girls can use to explore their individuality, identify self-defeating behavior patterns, take responsibility for their feelings and actions, make better choices and achieve happiness. The pocketbook includes simple, fun exercises and space for recording ideas, reactions and notes. It can be used independently or as a supporting resource for Empower Me! sessions.

Review

“Journal Me! is a wonderful catalyst for unlocking thoughts that girls are sometimes afraid to explore on their own, let alone share with someone else ... I also see Journal Me! as a valuable tool for working with girls in a group setting. People need something between group meeting times to keep them focused on growing and becoming more aware of who they are.”
— Valerie Gerhart, middle-school counselor

About the Author

Helen Raica-Klotz is a special-programs consultant for nonprofit women’s organizations. In the past, she has developed and administered educational programming for teenagers on domestic violence and sexual assault. In that capacity, she wrote several programs, videos, skits and a short television show on domestic violence issues. She has also worked as a counselor-advocate and a group facilitator for a family shelter. In the past five years, she has conducted workshops on dating violence and, more recently, on self-esteem building for young women. Currently she teaches English at Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College in Michigan. Her writing classes focus on women and self-esteem in modern America. She is also the author of Journal Me! A Pocketbook for Girls.

Table of Contents

Note to Group Facilitators
Introduction
The Journal

Section One: ME

Connections
Future
Feelings
Self
Girls and Boys
Masks

Section Two: ME and Others

Family
Support Systems
Anger
Boundaries
Saying No
Me, Special Me

Bibliography

Following is an excerpt from Journal Me! All rights reserved. Copyright © Resource Publications, Inc.

Note To Group Facilitators

This book is designed to inspire your young women to start discovering more about themselves: who they are; what they value; what their dreams, and fears, may be. This book is written with the belief that only when we truly know ourselves can we truly love who we are.

I would like to think that the girls who write in these pages will discover the power writing holds for self-discovery. I hope that they will return to these questions again and again, discovering new answers and new truths throughout their adolescence. I believe, with your encouragement, these things are possible.

Because these journals are private, the young women should not be forced to share their writings with the rest of the group, or with anyone at all. We know that journal writing is only effective if the audience disappears, and the only person you write for is you, and you alone. However, you may discover that through their excitement at learning more about themselves, the group is willing to share ideas and words that they have written. This is a wonderful thing.

I hope that you will encourage your group to make use of this journal book and that you, as the group facilitator, will use it as well. Although the answers may change as we get older, many of the questions women face in our society remain the same.

Welcome. Welcome to the wonderful and magical world of journaling.