Is My No Enough?
At a birthday party, Tessa learns the importance of courage and consent as she navigates peer pressure and stands up for herself and others.
Tessa arrived at the birthday party feeling excited. It was her friend Jake's thirteenth birthday, and everyone from their class was there. As the music played and laughter filled the room, Jake announced a game. "Let's play dares!" he shouted. The idea seemed fun, but deep down, Tessa felt uneasy. What if someone dared her to do something she didn't want to? She knew she had to be brave.
The first dare was harmless, but then things started to get out of hand. Jake dared Mike to climb the garden fence, which made Tessa nervous. - I don't think that's safe, Tessa said. But the others were cheering Mike on, making it hard for Tessa to speak up. She wondered if saying no would make everyone upset with her.
As the game continued, the dares became riskier. Someone dared Tessa to sneak into the kitchen and take a cookie without asking. - Come on, it's just a cookie, Jake teased. Tessa felt her heart race. She didn't want to get into trouble or do something against her will. But everyone was watching her, waiting for her decision.
Feeling overwhelmed, Tessa considered leaving the party. - Maybe I should just go home, she whispered to herself. The pressure was too much, and she felt like she couldn't say no. But deep down, she knew she had to stand up for herself. She just didn't know how.
Just then, her best friend Maya came over. - You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Maya reminded her. Tessa felt a wave of relief. With Maya's support, she realized she could be brave. She decided to speak up, no matter what others thought.
With newfound courage, Tessa faced the group. - I don't want to do this, and that's okay, she said firmly. The room went silent, but then Maya clapped, and others joined in. Tessa felt proud for standing her ground, and Jake apologized for the pressure. The rest of the party was filled with laughter and fun, and Tessa learned that saying no can be powerful.
Tessa arrived at the birthday party feeling excited. It was her friend Jake's thirteenth birthday, and everyone from their class was there. As the music played and laughter filled the room, Jake announced a game. "Let's play dares!" he shouted. The idea seemed fun, but deep down, Tessa felt uneasy. What if someone dared her to do something she didn't want to? She knew she had to be brave.
The first dare was harmless, but then things started to get out of hand. Jake dared Mike to climb the garden fence, which made Tessa nervous. - I don't think that's safe, Tessa said. But the others were cheering Mike on, making it hard for Tessa to speak up. She wondered if saying no would make everyone upset with her.
As the game continued, the dares became riskier. Someone dared Tessa to sneak into the kitchen and take a cookie without asking. - Come on, it's just a cookie, Jake teased. Tessa felt her heart race. She didn't want to get into trouble or do something against her will. But everyone was watching her, waiting for her decision.
Feeling overwhelmed, Tessa considered leaving the party. - Maybe I should just go home, she whispered to herself. The pressure was too much, and she felt like she couldn't say no. But deep down, she knew she had to stand up for herself. She just didn't know how.
Just then, her best friend Maya came over. - You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Maya reminded her. Tessa felt a wave of relief. With Maya's support, she realized she could be brave. She decided to speak up, no matter what others thought.
With newfound courage, Tessa faced the group. - I don't want to do this, and that's okay, she said firmly. The room went silent, but then Maya clapped, and others joined in. Tessa felt proud for standing her ground, and Jake apologized for the pressure. The rest of the party was filled with laughter and fun, and Tessa learned that saying no can be powerful.
Related books
Discover other books with the same style
Mimi and the Shadow Puppets
In Iceland, 12-year-old Mimi finds an enchanted puppet theater in her attic. As a mysterious blackout engulfs her town, the puppets come to life, challenging Mimi with riddles. Only by solving these can she restore the light. Will Mimi's curiosity and newfound friendships help her bring back the sunshine?
Gabby’s Job
A summer story about a silver Labrador named Gabby who works on a charter boat in Block Island, Rhode Island, helping families catch fish and see the island's beauty. Gabby must learn tolerance when faced with unexpected challenges.
Beyond the Shadow
In a sunny town in Australia, a young boy named Ian dreams of becoming a pro soccer player. However, a creature called the Mind Monster fills his head with doubts and fears. Will Ian find the courage to chase his dreams and play in his first soccer match?