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edited by Sybilla Claus
Beneath a layer of perfect selfies, the mental well-being of teenage girls is deteriorating. Those who don’t conform to the ideal shape or size struggle with a lack of self-confidence, fear, and doubt. Girls are confronted with discrimination, bullying, diagnoses of autism and ADHD or are denied the daily freedoms accorded to boys.
But there is hope. This book tells the stories of young rebels who have managed to fight against the sex stereotypes and find their own way. Fifty contributors from various countries including The Netherlands, USA, Taiwan, Denmark, China, Afghanistan and Spain pose important questions that you don’t often hear discussed about what it means to be a girl in the modern world. We hear from experts such as Finnish psychiatrist Riittakerttu Kaltiala and Holly Moreau from Fanfiction USA who share their work with girls and dissect the cultural forces at play. There are also the stories from girls and 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.
16 JUNE 2026 | ISBN 9781922964403 | Paperback | 152mm x 228mm | 400 pages
Special Pre-Publication Offer
Use the discount code REBEL20 when ordering through the Spinifex Press website before 31 July 2026 to receive 20% off the retail price.
Join us via Zoom to celebrate the release of Rebel Girls: Uplifting Stories About Courageous Young Women, edited by Sybilla Claus and published by Spinifex Press.
At a time when many girls are facing unprecedented pressures around identity, appearance, belonging, mental health and social expectations, Rebel Girls offers an international collection of stories, reflections and analysis that places girls and their experiences firmly at the centre of the conversation.
Bringing together 50 contributors from countries including The Netherlands, USA, Taiwan, Denmark, China, Afghanistan and Spain, the collection explores what it means to be a girl in the modern world. Contributors include experts working directly with girls as well as women and young people sharing their own experiences of navigating the challenges and opportunities of contemporary life.
The book examines issues including sexism, bullying, body image, social media pressures, autism and ADHD diagnoses, education, identity, freedom, and the importance of supporting girls to develop confidence, autonomy and self-respect.
Rebel Girls is ultimately a hopeful and uplifting collection, highlighting the resilience, courage and determination of girls and women who continue to challenge stereotypes and advocate for a future in which girls can flourish on their own terms.
In Conversation
Sybilla Claus (Editor)
Sybilla Claus worked as a journalist for major Dutch daily newspapers for more than 30 years. As a foreign editor she travelled extensively and reported from conflict zones around the world. Earlier in her career she worked as a bus driver and taught self-defence and kickboxing to women.
She has published five non-fiction books exploring themes of freedom, equality and respect. Drawing on her own experiences of feeling constrained by traditional gender expectations, Claus became involved in feminist politics through her studies in anthropology and has spent much of her career examining questions of social justice, women's rights and cultural change.
A passionate advocate for girls and women, she believes that writing can challenge injustice, amplify overlooked voices and contribute to meaningful social change.
Bev Jackson
Bev Jackson has worked as a teacher, university lecturer in English literature and academic translator. She was a founding member of the UK Gay Liberation Front in 1970 and has supported numerous progressive causes throughout her life.
In 2019, concerned by developments within contemporary LGBT advocacy organisations, Bev Jackson and Kate Harris founded LGB Alliance to advocate specifically for lesbian, gay and bisexual rights. Bev lives near Amsterdam with her wife Heleen and their dog Billy, with children and grandchildren all within cycling distance.
Melinda Tankard Reist
Melinda Tankard Reist is an Australian author, speaker, commentator and campaigner widely recognised for her advocacy on behalf of women and girls.
She is the Co-founder and Movement Director of Collective Shout, a grassroots movement that campaigns against the objectification and sexualisation of women and girls. Through her writing, media commentary and public advocacy, she has worked extensively on issues relating to gender equality, harmful cultural messaging, pornography, exploitation and the wellbeing of young people.
Please pay careful attention to time zones
This launch is primarily intended for audiences in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. A separate launch for audiences in North and South America will be held in the coming months.
Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane: 6.00pm
Perth: 4.00pm
Europe (CEST): 10.00am
London (BST): 9.00am
The event will be recorded and placed on our YouTube channel.