Never Say No: Step Up and Stand Out by Shreya Tibrewala; Sansi Ventures Publications; Price: Rs.299; 205 pp

Teen author Shreya Tibrewala’s Never Say No: Step Up and Stand Out is a bold, witty and easy-to-read guide that details what a young mind can achieve when it chooses challenge over comfort and confidence over convenience.

Whether it is bouncing back from failure, stepping beyond one’s comfort zone, building confidence and leadership skills, or learning to say “no” without overthinking, the unapologetically honest teen offers her peers practical advice in refreshingly cheerful voice.

At its core, the book emphasizes that success often begins with saying “yes” — to growth opportunities, new experiences, and continuous self-improvement. Blending personal insights with practical guidance, Tibrewala encourages readers to build confidence and carve out a distinct identity in a competitive world. The narrative highlights the importance of good communication skills, especially public speaking and personal branding, as tools to express ideas clearly and make an impact.

A recurring message throughout the book is need to take initiative rather than wait for opportunities to knock. The author urges young readers to stand out through authenticity, preparation and courage, while developing resilience by embracing failures as valuable learning experiences.

Drawing from real-life experiences, she shares lessons learned from internships with 17 entrepreneurs. In one memorable anectode, she describes observing a founder who treated a major rejection not as failure but as feedback — calmly analysing what went wrong, refining the idea, and returning stronger. For Tibrewala, this was a defining lesson and a powerful reinforcement of the book’s core message: growth comes from saying “yes” to challenges, even when they are uncomfortable.

The author herself is far from an ordinary teenager. At just 13 years of age, she is a two-time author, a national award-winning Kathak dancer, avid traveller, and a passionate learner who believes in seizing opportunities. A class IX student at the Aditya Birla World Academy, Mumbai, she balances academics, writing, dance and travel while continually seeking new experiences. Through her books, she hopes to inspire young readers to remain curious, take initiative, and believe in their own potential.

Her first book, The Power Is Yours, featured interviews with 47 teachers and principals countrywide, exploring what truly helps students succeed. Her curiosity continued through internships with entrepreneurs, experiences that eventually shaped Never Say No.

Balancing school, writing, dance, travel and everyday teenage life has not been easy. Yet Shreya’s determination and love for learning shine through in this book, turning personal experiences into relatable lessons that will encourage young readers to step up, stand out, and succeed.

– Reshma Ravishanker