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 equips parents to help their children navigate difficult situations and trust in God's presence, love, and care, while Lee Wildish's fun, engaging illustrations bring the story's characters and emotions to life for children ages four to seven. Together, these elements help children and parents explore 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, Talking to Kids About Hard Things, 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 writer 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.