DEL-Real Girl/Real World: Tools for Finding Your True Self

From cosmetics, diets, bulimia, and feminism to masturbation, date rape, homophobia, and sexually transmitted diseases, the authors dispel myths, put issues in perspective, and give girls the power to choose for themselves.15 photos & 30 illustrations.

Grade 8 Up-A hip, informative, and frank resource. Adopting the premise that "there's no one 'right' way to be," the authors address topics including self-image, eating disorders, menstruation, sexual activity, and feminism. Peppered throughout the text are extensive personal narratives from girls who share their own experiences that support or illustrate the authors' points. While similar titles don't usually include a discussion about feminism, this book has an entire chapter devoted to the history and development of women's rights and the current Grrrl movement. Extensive bibliographies and webliographies of recommended resources are included in each chapter and a complete, referenced bibliography is provided at the end. Resources vary from the sophisticated Camile Paglia to the standard The New Our Bodies, Ourselves (S & S, 1985) to the alternative 'zine Femme Flicke. Written in an intimate, chatty style, this title is a useful personal guide for teens.
Katie O'Dell Madison, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 9^-12. There is "no one right way to be." That's the theme of this scattershot but encouraging, frank, and approachable resource for young women that crisscrosses topics related to body image, self-esteem, and sexuality. The tone is casual, friendly, and feminist without being strident; but accessing information, which includes occasional historical perspective (on abortion, for example) and how-to's (unillustrated information on putting on a condom), isn't easy, as it is couched among dozens of personal comments, the real heart of the book. Of varying length and quite candid, the remarks give readers much to think about, and the authors have been careful to include voices that speak to different sides of compelling concerns--first-time sex, eating disorders, lesbian relationships. The last chapter is unusual for books of this kind: the authors restate the definition of feminism and relate it to young women today. Some data are old, and, unfortunately, descriptions are not included with the plentiful resources cited, which range from mainstream and lesser-known (I'm So Fucking Beautiful) periodicals to Web sites and adult and teenage books. Stephanie Zvirin