Besides having the best title ever--You're Amazing! A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your Best Self--this Girls Inc. sponsored, young adult nonfiction book is also the shiznit (come on, this is for the tweens) because it's written by Claire Mysko, feministing fan and awesome young feminist upstart.
In an age when every 13-year-old is made to walk the tightrope of high-pressure adolescence--make out but don't be slutty, worry about your weight but don't become a bore, do well in school but don't become a total nerd--this book is so needed. It's, in some ways, a reaction to the Supergirl Dilemma study that Girls Inc. conducted, which showed that girls today are feeling more empowered, but also way more anxious.
Mysko walks girls through all sorts of different rough patches--rejection, gossip, parents' fighting--with the cool ease of a big sister. She's not patronizing or cheesy about it, just compassionate and real. And what's even better--she quotes real girls through out the entire thing. Their voices are totally honored--like this heart breaker section where she asks, "If you could tell older adults in your life one thing you need to hear from them...what would it be?":
"Even if we make you angry or do something wrong, we always want to be told that we're loved and appreciated. Nobody's perfect." -Emma, 13
"Respect our opinions and help us, don't control us!" -Tabitha, 12
"Tell me I'm important!" -Rose, 11
You're important! You're important! Is that my inner 12-year-old crying? Okay, seriously, this book is amazing. You should get it for your little sister, niece, next door neighbor, bad ass lemonade saleswoman.
*There are also places to journal, quizzes (gotta love the quizzes), and feminist history worked in all sneaky like.
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Sounds like a great book, and something I would like to buy for my Little Sister. (As in I am her mentor, BB/BS style) Do you think that this would be appropriate? She's 16. Basically I don't want her mom calling me outraged.
Totally MissRachel. If anything I think it might be too young for a 16 year old, depending on her style.
She's a little young, emotionally. Thanks so much!
Oooo. I just wrote a post on my blog about advice to my lil sis. This would be awesome. Thanks!
Damn. I wish I had a little niece/sister/cousin/neighbor to give this to...maybe I'll just buy it now for the daughter I will probably have later on...
Thanks A LOT, I think there are many grear advices should follow
Do you reckon this would still be relevant for English girls? My sister's 12 and skinny, and she's already talking about her "really fat thighs". She needs some positive guidence, fast.
I bought this book for my 13 year old cousin, and this is the e-mail I got back from her:
"I wanted to tell you thank you for the wonderful book you sent me! :) I haven't gotten a chance to read it all the way through yet, and fill out the activities,(strings camp was keeping me busy. X3 ) but when I was flipping through it, I saw some very interesting things!
It really makes you think about gender stereotyping and labelling, as well as general stereotyping and labelling."
Just wanted to share a teen's reaction =)
Thanks so much for sharing that, Stacey! It's great to get feedback directly from teen readers. Glad your cousin is enjoying the book so far!