The Girl's Guide to Life: How to Take Charge of the Issues That Affect You

In an interesting and friendly style, the author writes that typical feminine characteristics such as silence in the classroom, insecurity about appearance, and intimidation about sports or science are not the irrevocable fate of being female but simply the result of growing up in a society that maintains a deep-seated bias against girls and women. She uses teen-magazine-style chapters to illuminate these biases: what they are, how to recognize them, and how to change them. Each chapter explores the facts of a particular issue, such as sexism in the media, then personalizes that issue through boxed, multi-cultural, first-person narratives and poetry , comic strips, anecdotes, and quizzes. She provides extensive lists of related books, videos, pamphlets, and organizations that will help give girls their bearings. But one of the book's highlights is it's activist feature, "Things to Do," that shows how to respond with sample letters, organizations to join, and other ways to kick the passive stereotype good-bye.

This book is a great work, probably the best of the Century. OK, I'm a guy. But I do have four nieces that are growing up quite well. Better now because of this book. I wish I had a book like this for guys when I was their age. It well explains the complexities in life we adults usually learn the hard way. A more level coverage of such a complex topic I don't think is possible. What politics is, the prejudice girls are subjected to, and many other complex subjects clearly covered. I will always remember the passage about what we think when girls act up in class, that we consider them "bad" girls. But what happens when boys do it? "Boys will be boys," we say. My sister always "acted up" in class and now is a PhD and former NASA Project Scientist, and she still acts up, go figure. My other sister did straight A's in math until someone told her that "boys don't like smart girls," and she went straight to C's. I gave her daughter this book and have seen no sign of that problem arising.

Let me tell you this book is awesome! I have never felt so empowered! Not only does this book have real experiences and stories, it also unveils many myths about society and gives real ways to correct those myths. This book is for everyone, woman and man, who cares about the ways women are treated in our culture and worldwide. I highly recommend it! (Posted on Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana web site)

It's magical to witness, over the course of a few years, girls blooming into young women. The spell is broken, however, when we also see sexism consume their self-esteem. Where once they were spunky and imaginative, they become self-conscious and afraid how their ideas will be seen by others. Where once they voiced their opinions, we see them swallowing ideas unvoiced--especially in front of boys. And where once they excelled in math or science, we see them play "dumb" or believe they aren't as smart as "the other gender." The Girls' Guide to Life reclaims the strength and self-assurance for young women. With a fun, appealing style, The Guide addresses gender issues by providing exercises and activities so girls learn who they are and what their strengths are.... If you have a daughter, or care about a girl you know, share The Girls' Guide to Life with them. You may learn a lot you never knew. You also may be reminded of things you learned the hard way and never thought to share with her. Encourage sons to read it, too, so they'll learn it's all right for women to be strong, to be leaders.

... that's not been said already about this awesome, powerful, inspiring book? I can't recommend it highly enough. GET IT. READ IT. GIVE IT TO A GIRL YOU CARE ABOUT.