As you can imagine, your child’s self-esteem may fluctuate as they enter middle school. After all, between navigating peer pressure and taking on more challenging schoolwork, your child is learning many new dynamics — all while trying to build and maintain a sense of self-confidence and individuality. It's a lot to make sense of!
That is why it is so important to consistently help your kid build high self-esteem from the get-go. One of the best ways to cultivate a child’s self-esteem is through relatable books, like Maria Scrivan’s New York Times best-selling Definitely Nat series, that showcase characters experiencing similar feelings.
Your child's favorite titles play a crucial role in encouraging self-compassion and positive self-esteem, while giving them a sense of control over their new social and academic environment.
How This Relatable Series Helps Build Self-Esteem for Kids
When kids see themselves in their favorite books and characters, it gives them the ability to learn from their mistakes and get a sense of personal responsibility while they build confidence. Many parents love the Definitely Nat series because it can encourage healthy self-esteem in children while they face new challenges in school and in social circles.
In Definitely Nat, readers follow Natalie as she navigates the ups and downs of middle school. Beginning with Nat Enough #1, readers are introduced to Natalie, or Nat, who struggles with low self-esteem and feels like her abilities come up short. She’s not stylish enough, not talented enough, and most importantly — not cool enough, not even for her best friend, Lily. But Nat must decide, in the process of trying to win her friend back, whether it’s worth the effort (or if her own self-worth is more important).
In Nat Enough #2: Forget Me Nat, our titular hero is finally feeling confident. After all, she’s finally got the opportunity to spend time with her crush, Derek! But when Derek tells her he only wants to be friends, Nat pushes her friends and hobbies aside as she deals with her broken heart. When Nat has no one to turn to, she has to rely on her own strength to persevere.
And in Nat Enough #3: Absolutely Nat, readers reunite with Nat as she finds herself at summer camp, where nothing is going according to plan. Instead of spending time with her two best friends, she’s stuck with her ex-BFF, Lily. Even worse, Nat is constantly having to face some of her worst fears. But the whole experience might just be exactly what she needs to develop her self-esteem.
Shop the Definitely Nat titles and other coming-of-age series below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store, where you can get free shipping on book-only orders over $25.
Get your child ready for school with our back-to-school guide, which is full of recommended books, teacher tips, homework help, and more resources for a successful school year.
