Book Review: a Girl's Guide to Life

I am not a teenager anymore, but knowing my daughter will be one some day I was interested in reviewing this book for BookSneeze book review bloggers. I was impressed with how this Christian author covered difficult topics that teens have to deal with in an appropriate way. Every Christian author encounters the problem that "Christian" covers a wide range of religions with different standards and terminology. Despite this, I found myself agreeing with almost all her advice. (My religion has a stricter definition of modesty than most, so I didn't agree with her there.)

Perhaps the most honest chapter of the book is Chapter 7 on Beauty. She doesn't patronize girls with lofty ideals about how it's what inside, not outside, that counts. The truth is, the way you look matters a TON in this world, even if it shouldn't. She gives great tips on making the outside pleasant and helping it to match who you are on the inside. She calls this "being true to your inner self." When I was a teen I felt like I couldn't ever compete with the "models" at my school, so many days I didn't try at all. Even in college I did very little with my hair, makeup or clothes, not realizing that I wasn't allowing people to see who I was on the inside through my outer style. I didn't really start paying attention to my appearance until my mid-twenties! I finally found a few girl friends that gave me tips on hair and makeup. How I wish I'd had those tips in junior high! I'm still not a model, but I'm happy with how I look. This information will be very useful to the average young girl, even if they are lucky enough to never have to deal with some of the more serious subjects in the book (like date rape and eating disorders.)

Despite my satisfaction with how the topics were addressed, it was difficult for me to make it through this book because of the tone. It seems like the author is trying to fit in with teens and show them that she's "cool" too. It comes across a little fake. And, unfortunately, the slang will make the book obsolete before very long. When my toddler is a teen the topics in the book will still be relevant, but the language of the book will seem as old as "groovy" and "far out". I plan to find a young friend (maybe 11 or 12) to give this to, but I better hurry before it's out of date!

I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com and was not required to give any specific opinion, positive or negative, in my review.