“There is no one way you ‘should’ feel at this time in your life. Different girls have different feelings about starting puberty. Your feelings may even change from day to day.” p. 8
Reader's Annotation
Looking forward to being a teenage girl, but not quite sure what to expect? From acne to crushes to changing moods and friendships, and so much more, this easy-to-read guide covers it all.
About the Author & Editor
Author Kate Gruenwald Pfeifer is a licensed clinical social worker who has a Master’s degree in social work and a certificate in child and adolescent psychodynamic psychotherapy. She is a school social worker who supervises several middle school social work programs, and also has a private practice serving children and adolescents. Medical Editor Amy B. Middleman is a medical doctor and also has Master’s degrees in Education and Public Health. She is a board-certified Adolescent Medicine specialist and Associate Professor of Pediatrics. In her medical practice, she specializes in adolescent care. For information on both author and editor, see this page.
Genre
Nonfiction: health
Reading Level/Interest Age
11-13 yrs.
Content Summary
This guide for pre-teen girls answers questions that many in this age group have about becoming a teenager. The nine chapters cover the topics of: puberty, eating and exercise, height, appearance (skin, teeth, and hair), the reproductive system, menstruation, feelings, relationships, and sex. Each chapter starts off with a brief introduction to the topic. Then the majority of each chapter consists of questions which pre-teens may have (one or two per page) followed by concise and clear answers. Also included throughout the text are “Real Girls, Real Feelings” two-page spreads which list the thoughts and concerns of actual girls, e.g., ‘I hate being the tallest girl in my class…’ or ‘A friend told me her boyfriend kept trying to get her to do sexual stuff…’. Most pages include a drawing or two of a girl relating to the topic at hand, and there are also clear labeled drawings of aspects of female anatomy. Additionally, there are “Mythbuster” boxes which clear up commonly believed myths about teen health issues, as well as boxes with more detailed information on various topics. The book concludes with a list of recommended Web sites which pre-teen girls can consult for further information, and a glossary.
Critical Evaluation
This is an attractive and easy-to-read guide that is not condescending. It takes pre-teens’ questions seriously and discusses them openly, if somewhat briefly in a couple instances. But overall, I think this brevity is appropriate for an introductory guide, and a longer book may scare away potential readers. I think that the wide range of questions that this book addresses openly and honestly is great: topics such as masturbation, bullying, cliques, sexual harassment, bra sizes, tampons, tattoos, and so many others, as well as a lot of practical tips regarding the appearance concerns that become so important in pre-teen and teen years. I felt that topics such as sexual orientation and depression could have been covered in more depth, however, given the sizeable number of pre-teens who have questions related to these topics. I liked very much that the guide encourages girls to discuss issues of concern with trusted adults before making major decisions. Just a few minor quibbles with the illustrations: although they are fun and upbeat, I would have liked to see a wider range of body sizes depicted (e.g., there are only a few drawings of heavier girls) and a few less "perfect" faces. But despite this, I very highly recommend this book…it is one I wish I’d had in my own pre-teen years.
Booktalking Ideas
• Read aloud several of the actual thoughts of real girls which are included in the book on the “Real Girls, Real Feelings” pages.
• Ask the girls in the audience what questions they have about becoming a teen, and then read aloud answers to these or similar questions from the book.
• See my review of the American Medical Association Boy’s Guide to Becoming A Teen for alternative booktalking ideas.
Curriculum Ideas
• Health: Each girl types a question/concern they have about becoming a teen on a piece of paper, without adding her name. Tape these around the room, and read each question aloud and discuss as a group…girls will realize that others have the same concerns that they do, and be better prepared for teen issues that each may not have thought of on her own.
• Critical thinking: Each girl visits one of the “Find Out More!” Web sites recommended at the end of the book, and then shares with the other girls a couple things she learned from it, the site’s strong points, and suggestions she has for improvement. She then shares her thoughts with that site’s administrator via email.
• See my review of the AMA Boy’s Guide for alternative curriculum ideas.
Potential Challenge Issue & Defense
Discussion of sex and sexual orientation, and drawings of female anatomy:
• Become familiar enough with the book’s content to promote its merits.
• Refer to library’s collection development policy.
• Refer to book reviews from authoritative sources such as ALA, School Library Journal, etc.
• Obtain book reviews from tweens who have read it.
Why I Chose This Book
I wanted to review a self-esteem/health guide for pre-teen girls, and of those that I found, this one had received more favorable reviews than others.
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