One in eight children between ages twelve and fifteen is the victim of a violent crime One in seven carries a weapon Approximately 1.3 million children are sexually abused each year NOW is the time to use your head, not your fists, to plan for safety! Most people think self-defense means fighting, but the best self-defense has nothing to do with hitting, kicking, or punching. In this book, you'll discover how to protect yourself by: being aware of your surroundings and trusting your gut if something feels wrong using your voice to get help if someone's threatening you using your body language to let people know that you are not an easy target developing self-esteem so that you can stand up to bullies communicating effectively with people to set boundaries Techniques are presented in a clear and accessible format, including: Realistic anecdotes that feature kids practicing optimal safety techniques What should you do if…? scenarios for kids to discuss, with suggested solutions Role-playing and hands-on exercises to practice alone or with friends With lively and sensitive prose, two prominent personal safety instructors show that any kid-not just the biggest and the strongest-can create a SAFE ZONE. Morrow Junior Books • hardcover • $15.00 • ISBN 0-688-15307-0 Beech Tree • paper • $4.95 • ISBN 0-688-15308-9 160 pages • 18 black-and-white photographs ages 10 and up

Table of Contents highlights 1. The Basics includes: Awareness Listen to Your Gut Body Language Use Your Voice Self-Esteem 2. Setting Boundaries includes: What Is a Boundary? How to Set a Physical Boundary Feelings Boundaries 3. My Body Is Mine includes: What Is Unwanted Touch? Unwanted Touch from Other Kids Unwanted Touch from Adults Unwanted Touch from Strangers 4. Bullies includes: Why Are Some People Bullies? How to Avoid a Bully How to Deal with a Bully 5. Staying Safe at Home includes: Strangers at the Door If Someone Tries to Get into Your Home Strangers on the Phone Safety on the Internet 6. Safety Away from Home includes: Safety in Your Car Safety at School Safety on Public Transportation What If YouÕre Lost? 7. Getting Help includes: We All Need Help Sometimes Getting Help with Unwanted Touch 8. Strangers includes: How to Identify a Stranger Four Key Safety Rules 9. Fighting Back includes: How to Recognize When You Need to Fight Optimizing Your Size Natural Weapons Fighting Spirit

WHAT IF… you're walking home from school and you notice a person following you? WHAT IF… a bully corners you in the locker room, picks up a baseball bat, and begins to taunt you by swinging at your knees and barely missing them? WHAT IF… you're waiting to use the diving board at the local pool and an older kid in line after you slaps you on the behind? WHAT IF… you're coming home from school and, as you near your house, you notice that a screen has been pulled off and the curtains are blowing out through the open window? THE SAFE ZONE asks kids to think about what they would do in scenarios like these. The questions are at the beginning of the chapter, and suggested solutions are at the end. DONNA CHAIET is the founder and president of Prepare, Inc. She is the author of the award-winning “Get Prepared Library of Violence Prevention for Young Women” as well as numerous articles on self-defense. She has been leading training in and teaching personal safety for ten years. A noted speaker, she lectures on self-defense to Fortune 500 companies, community organizations, and colleges throughout the United States. She has also made guest appearances on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, NBC News, ABC News Morning Show, and on CNN. Donna Chaiet lives in New York City. FRANCINE RUSSELL is an instructor with IMPACT Personal Safety, Inc., of Los Angeles. In addition to teaching women's classes, running teen workshops, and speaking out about self-defense, she also teaches self-defense as an elective at Marlborough School, the first school in the nation to offer a self-defense course for credit. She lives in Los Angeles.