`Beacon Street Girls' goes beyond kid stuff

Beacon Street Girls publisher B..tween Productions is addressing issues of online safety in its latest book, "Just Kidding."

The Lexington firm publishes books and operates websites under its Beacon Street Girls brand, which is aimed at girls age 8 to 13.

The company says Beacon Street Girls books involve extensive research and consultation with specialists in girls, adolescence, children's issues, and development.

In "Just Kidding," mean e-mails and not-so-funny jokes are part of a plot that provides parents with an opportunity for discussing online dangers with preteen girls, the company said.

"Safe and appropriate use of technology is one of the leading parenting issues of our generation," Addie Swartz, founder and chief executive of B..tween Productions, said in a statement.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)

The Beacon Street Girls series is aimed at girls age 8 to 13.