Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular is an advice book for tweens and teens about physical and emotional changes during puberty, by The Big Bang Theory actress and Ph.D. in neuroscience Mayim Bialik. The premise is that knowledge empowers us to make the best decisions about ourselves and our place in the world. There are anatomical drawings and detailed explanations of male and female genitalia and reproductive organs. Bialik explores why we feel the emotions we do and how to cope with them and the stresses life throws at us every day, including Bialik's belief that organized religion can be a source of help during stressful times. She also encourages mindfulness and meditation. Positive reinforcement fosters a sense of wonder about our bodies and appreciation for how amazing and special it is to be female.
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What's the Story?
GIRLING UP: HOW TO BE STRONG, SMART AND SPECTACULAR uses biology and neuroscience to answer questions many tweens and teens have about how their brains, bodies, and emotions change during puberty. Actress and author Mayim Bialik puts her Ph.D. in neuroscience to good use as she explains in detail, with anatomical illustrations, the hows and whys of puberty, from body image, coping with stress, nutrition, and school to hormones, dating, sex, and more.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how knowledge is power in Girling Up. Did you learn anything surprising? How will what you've learned help you as you grow into adulthood?
Why do you think a successful actress like Mayim writes books, too? Do you think she's genuinely passionate about "girling up"? What about financial rewards?
If you have more questions this book doesn't answer, where else can you look for the information you need?
Book Details
- Author: Mayim Bialik
- Genre: Advice
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models, High School, Middle School, Science and Nature
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Philomel
- Publication date: May 9, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 192
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: September 28, 2020
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