Parents' Guide to

Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Lots of knowledge and positivity in girl-power advice book.

Book Mayim Bialik Advice 2017
Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

Mayim Bialik's enthusiasm and positivity for all things "girl" are infectious as she carefully, thoroughly, and joyously explains the science behind puberty. In this text that's easy to understand but never dumbed-down, tweens and teens will find the answers to what their bodies and minds are going through. They'll also be comforted by knowing they're not alone, they're perfectly normal, and there's a lot to celebrate about Girling Up.

It's a refreshingly inclusive book. Bialik mentions a lot of things that have helped her, like organized religion, but she understands and respects other paths for finding comfort in hard times or peace of mind when things get stressful. The illustrations show a variety of body types and ethnicities, so any girl can easily relate to the explanations, answers, and possibilities she lays out. Bialik has taken topics that seem scary and, by helping young women understand what's going on, turns uncertainty into empowerment.

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate