If you have a daughter who is moving past the sugar-and-spice years into the feared terrain of adolescence, pointing her in the direction of influences that both you and she can embrace is a challenge … (as several of you have told us). Here, a few “you go, girl” Bookshelf suggestions worth sharing. (Find them at your favorite store or click on their images below and you can shop right now):

“Gutsy Girls: Young Women Who Dare”
edit. by Tina Schwager et. al.

Gutsy Girls profiles 25 real young women, age 14-24, who have have shown incredible courage and strength (mental and physical) in taking on great challenges, from skydiving to building a house for Habitat for Humanity. It’s easy to get inspired by their stories… following which the book offers a section called “How to Be Gutsy Yourself,” with “Take Action” suggestions. Recommended for grades 7 and up.

“Girls Who Rocked the World : Heroines from Sacagawea to Sheryl Swoopes”
edit. by Amelie Welden

Aimed for slightly younger girls (grades 5-8), this book shares the same goal of “Gutsy Girls:” to share profiles of real women who’ve led lives of inspiration. However, in this case, most of the women are well- known, with a common denominator of having all achieved something extraordinary by the time they were 20… (so when you read it with your daughter, you can feel either personally moved, or entirely unaccomplished at your more advanced stage of life). The book goes in chronological order, from Cleopatra to Martina Hingis. Each chapter ends with asking modern girls, “how will you rock the world?” (Incidentally, to be equitable, there’s also a companion “Boys Who Rocked the World” that’s equally worthy).

“33 Things Every Girl Should Know : Stories, Songs, poems, and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women” edit. by Tonya Bolden
As the editor of the book says, “It’s no secret. This book is about girl build-up.” Unlike our two preceding choices, this book leverages the wisdom of bold-faced grown-up ‘girls’ who impart their advice to encourage self-respect and self-esteem. From celebs like Natalie Merchant and Lauren Hutton to scientists, athletes, writers and others, one of the key charms of this book is the free-wheeling range of the contributions, from a forensic discussion on why it’s not a crime for girls to love science to a funny comic about mean girls. Geared for grades 6 and up, these very readable pieces act as inspiring comfort food for getting through the teenage years.


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