Bethany Bezdecheck

This is a very practical guide for young women about relationships, and how to cultivate and retain a healthy sense of self when interacting with girlfriends, boyfriends (platonic and romantic), and family members. The writing is concise and the author offers the reader many good strategies for coping with difficult situations and avoiding bad choices. Since the book is aimed at high school age young women, I was put off by the introduction. The author opens the book with a description of the very close friendship between two actors, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. I understand the intention of hooking teens by including celebrities, but since the book is aimed at teenage girls, why not include an example of female friends? Granted, Oprah and Gayle don’t have the same attractiveness, but why not discuss friends Jennifer Anniston and Courtney Cox? Or a friendship between two YA female authors? The reliance on celebrity appears in other places (“Former Celebrity Couples Who Had to Endure Breakups” includes Miley Cyrus and Joe Jonas, and Halle Berry and Eric Benet). Besides the potential "Who cares about them?" factor, the examples already seem outdated and the book was published in 2010.

Most of the book, however, is filled with good, common sense advice centered on being true to oneself—and beyond the cliché, offering suggestions on finding out just who “you” might be. For example, under “Finding Your True Identity,” the author’s ideas include finding a mentor, keeping a journal, exploring new styles of music, paying attention to what sparks your interest, etc. Rather than resorting to trite self-esteem boosters, this book offers the reader a thoughtful path to being a grounded and self-respecting young adult. One noticeable omission is any coverage on homosexuality, even though it offers some good advice on not using sex to advance a relationship. Target audience 13-18-year old girls.… (altro)