Rebel Girls: Uplifting stories about courageous young women

by Sybilla Claus

Behind the faç ade of perfect selfies, the mental health of teenage girls is crumbling. They spend hours a day on social media, where rigid sex stereotypes and victimhood culture reign. Many struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, and exposure to violent porn. Non-conforming girls – particularly lesbians – and girls with autism or ADHD are pressured to identify as boys. Girls are coerced to conform to the familial, cultural, religious and political norms and ideologies they grow up with. But there is hope. This book tells the stories of young rebels fighting stereotypes and cultural misogyny to forge their own path. Fifty contributors from countries including The Netherlands, Spain, USA, United Kingdom, Taiwan, China, Afghanistan and Australia pose questions rarely discussed about what it means to be a girl today. Experts like psychiatrist Riittakerttu Kaltiala, whistleblower Jamie Reed and researcher Sarah Mittermaier share their concerns. Other contributors include Melinda Tankard Reist, Bev Jackson, Jennifer Bilek, and Lisa Selin Davis. Rebel Girls includes stories and photographs of young women themselves who explain how they are navigating the complex challenges faced by girls in the 21st century. The future for girls is crucial for the future of everyone. This uplifting collection demonstrates how the next generation is continuing the radical feminist fight to expose misogyny and find autonomy, confidence, enjoyment and independence in their lives. Cover photograph by Iratxe Á lvarez

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Mathilda Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teacher I see our girls and young women struggling, and there are not many books out there that address that problem.
This book does, and is both incredibly insightful and cautiously optimistic! The interviews with experts are far-ranging and often illuminating, the interviews with girls with very different backgrounds are moving and inspiring.
The behind-the-scenes of fan fiction was jaw-dropping. I knew about the phenomenon, but not to this degree. I have not seen this information anywhere, in any book about today's young people, and it's an eye-opener to say the least.
If you have a daughter or granddaughter or niece who's online an unhealthy amount of time, who's struggling to fit in, whose mental health might be an issue, this is a book that may interest you. It will leave you with new insights without being all doom and gloom. Highly recommended!