Zara and the Mean Girl: The Courage of Kindness

In Zara and the Mean Girl, children will learn how to walk with Jesus when someone is unkind, and with God’s help, respond with love, grace, and courage.  

When Zara’s classmate Rory is teased by Ava for having red hair, Zara wonders what she can do to help. But things don’t go as planned. Ava starts bullying Zara too. With the support of her family and friends who point her to Jesus, Zara discovers how to see the beauty in everyone’s differences and show kindness to all, even those who seem unkind.  

Written by Rebekah Hannah and Jocelyn Flenders, Zara and the Mean Girl offers the assurance that Jesus is always with us, no matter what. It is the first book in the Following Jesus series that connects Scripture to real-life issues, encouraging young readers to walk with Jesus, even when life feels hard. 

• A special section at the end of the book guides parents in helping their kids talk through difficult situations and trust God’s presence, love, and care.  
• Children ages four to seven will be entertained by Lee Wildish’s fun, engaging illustrations that bring the characters and emotions to life.  
• Teaches children and parents about the importance of kindness, empathy, and standing up for others. 

Rebekah Hannah is a leader, business owner, and counselor with over two decades of ministry experience. She currently serves on staff at Redeemer Lincoln Square in New York City. She is also the President and CEO of Anchored Virtual, a virtual counseling resource, and recently launched Rode Leadership, a Christian leadership organization. Rebekah is the author of The Secret to Confidence and Zara and the Mean Girl. She and her husband, Andrew, have three daughters and reside in New York City.

Jocelyn Flenders is an editor and children’s author with a background in counseling and library science. She is the author of the Good News for Little Hearts series and Zara and the Mean Girl: The Courage of Kindness. She delights in inviting children into the story of faith. She lives just outside Philadelphia with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.