The Truth: Diary of a Gutsy Tween

Approved for #Reading! Girls ages 9-12, Great for #Parents, #Teachers, #Counselors

"I hate Angela and I wish she would move away tomorrow!" "I get so worried when I hear my parents fighting at night." "My mother thinks my crush is silly. I know I am in love!" "I have so many questions about growing up.  Who will answer them?" "I feel so awful when Jake makes fun of me." "When I grow up I going to remember how to have fun with my kids and never look away."

Growing up is tough and sometimes we forget how complicated girls development is. Adults don't always understand you (even though they were once kids), and children today face increasing pressure to be, look, or act a certain way. Written in the voice of a girl on the cusp of becoming a teenager, The Truth provides young girls with an opportunity to see how a girl, who is in many ways like themselves, handles her toughest problems and most personal thoughts. Each new page brings forth a discussion to help girls handle everyday problems: How do you develop successful childhood friendships? How do you survive a bully? How do you handle a crush on a boy? What can you do about relentless teasing by your peers? What really matters as you grow older?

In a positive and supportive diary-entry format, this coming of age book, written by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein encourages tween girls to carry the most precious parts of themselves into adulthood, becoming someday, young women. A great book for mothers and daughters to read together, The Truth is aimed to improve communication, understanding, social skils and self-esteem for young girls as they enter the rocky road of teenager-dom.