Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, a positive psychologist and award-winning filmmaker, announced that the second edition of her bestselling book 'Conflict and a Bit of Magic' will be available at no charge on May 6 and 7, 2025. The ebook helps girls build self-esteem by reading a journal of a girl navigating high school challenges, allowing readers to identify with the protagonist and recognize their own courage and resilience.
The book follows the already famous 'girl' from 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen' as she faces disappointments with a boyfriend, problematic parties, and family tensions during her first year of high school. A visit to her aunt in Minnesota leads to mysterious events involving a seance and a deceased relative, with the character ultimately returning home to confront more mysteries and communication issues with her mother before finding resolution.
Dr. Holstein stated, "I'm so excited to present the second edition of Conflict and a Bit of Magic. I'm excited it will be in an ebook version at no charge." The psychologist emphasized the importance of building resilience and self-esteem for girls and women of all ages, noting that these qualities empower individuals to navigate challenges with confidence and foster mental and emotional well-being.
A short film version of the book is available for viewing at https://vimeo.com/showcase/10863899/video/895136258. Dr. Holstein, who utilizes the concept of selfie filmmaking in her work, suggested that families could read the book together and then watch the film to spark meaningful discussions. "It will be magical to read the book with your child and then watch the film together. I am sure lots of discussion will develop," she said.
The free ebook will be available at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Barbara-Becker-Holstein/author/B001JXEZ8U?. Dr. Holstein hopes this initiative will bring parents, teachers, librarians, grandparents, and media together to create positive change for young people experiencing anxiety, hopelessness, and despair while helping women build resilience.
As a school psychologist and private practitioner, Dr. Holstein has worked extensively with children and parents to develop life skills in decision-making, talent recognition, courage development, and inter-generational communication. Her approach wraps positive psychology concepts in engaging media formats, including bestselling books, self-esteem workbooks for girls aged 8 and up, award-winning films, podcasts, stage plays, and TED-style talks.
Dr. Holstein's work extends to The Selfie Showcase, a project emerging from The Selfie Project that allows young people ages 13 to 18 to express concerns and observations through selfie videos created with smartphones. More information about this initiative is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. Her primary website can be found at http://www.enchantedself.com.
This free ebook offering represents a significant effort to address growing mental health concerns among youth while providing accessible resources for building essential life skills. By combining relatable storytelling with multimedia engagement, Dr. Holstein's work provides practical tools for families and educators to support emotional development during challenging developmental stages.
