33 Things Every Girl Should Know (by Tonya Bolden)

"Move!" "Get a Game Plan!" and "Ride the Waves!" are a few of the entry titles that signal the essentially upbeat tone of this "collection of girl talk." Designed to help girls navigate the transition from kid to young adult, the book employs a mostly feel-good tone. The contributors sympathize and exhort, challenge and soothe, as they examine the joys and obstacles of growing up female. Most reinforce a positive "I'm okay, you're okay" philosophy.

Finding the entry you want can be difficult; in many cases, actual titles of contributions, according to the subjects' biographies, are different than those given in the table of contents. Disappointingly, some of the contributor's biographies are more interesting than their entries. But teenagers will appreciate the book's respectful tone and the fact that it doesn't talk down to them. This is a well-intentioned, reassuring book for girls growing up.