Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular Hardcover – May 9, 2017

Mayim Bialik does a great job of explaining the journey we take from girlhood to womanhood. She does not preach and she also does not just talk about the science and the physical changes. She’s a brilliant woman with an extensive vocabulary - you won’t see that here. She knows her audience. She goes into every aspect of Girling Up beyond puberty. She’s even brave enough to tell us the journey is ever changing and evolving. I hope this book is shared with everyone. As a 43 yr old mom of three I even enjoyed the book.

All children are different, and we live in very different times than when I was growing up. That being said, I would not have given this book to my daughter as a preteen. She would not have been ready for it then. That does not mean that all girls would not be. I strongly suggest that parents read this before handing it over. You know your child best and can gauge when/if they will benefit from this book. My daughter is fifteen, and I had no problem handing it over once I finished. I admit I am a bit of a prude, and there were sections in the book that made me cringe. I see them though as an opportunity for discussion at the appropriate age. This book is worth purchasing even if it has to sit on your shelf for a little while until the time is right.The author did a wonderful job of picking relevant topics and covering them with reason and genuineness. Her heart is evident on each page, and, though it does read somewhat sciency, I presume the heart of a neuroscientist might be somewhat sciency. The author is a mother, but her voice in the book is more of a mentor, a mentor who wants the very best for the reader. She shares both science and personal experience. I appreciate the intelligence of this book and how it is woven with candor and sincerity. I'm very glad I bought it and read it, and I look forward to discussing it with my daughter when she finishes it.

I ordered this book a few years ago for my oldest granddaughter and it was great. Good quality print and excellent content. The book has direct and good advice for 10-16 year old girls. Recently, I ordered another book for my younger granddaughter. The ink and the print is faint, and hard to read. Whom ever printed this paperback must have been very low on ink and too lazy to change the ribbon or the ink cartridge . Overall the book seemed cheap and flimsy. If I had seen the book before I gave it to her I would have returned it. I will say again I think it is good reading for girls from 10- 16 years old.

I wish this book was available when I was a young teen. I gave this book to my granddaughter after I read it. It was straight forward & informative. Unfortunately, most of the young teens know a lot more than they should. I did discuss this with my daughter & because a number of parents allow their young girls to watch movies, such as "Fifty Shades of Grey", the beauty of growing up a teen has been somewhat lost. The girls do discuss all the in's & out's of sex. But, as a late bloomer & one that was left out of the popularity contest, I think this is a terrific book for both boys & girls to know & understand their bodies along with becoming comfortable & understanding that life does change.

Such a great book, I purchased a copy for a friend and her preteen daughter.

READ ENTIRE REVIEW before going on a "witch-hunt" here...Although I found the information absolutely NEED to know for ALL readers (not just my 11y.o. Step-Daughter) CHAPTER 4 DESPERATELY NEEDS REWORDING! "Penises Fitting" & "Hard instead of Erect" were just some of the cringe-worthy lines I found while proofreading before gifting to my Step-Daughter. Amazon & Mayim's Pre-Promotions of this book were MOST DEFINITELY MISLEADING. I too am far from "Prude" & maybe I'm just "Old Fashioned" and/or out-of-touch with today's youth but, I found some of the content & even one of the illustrations in "poor taste". I really feel these kids do not need to be exposed to BLATANT glorification and promotion of engaging in romantic relationships nor interracial relations (I'm no racist, I loathe you all!) can we just keep their minds on school-work, the arts, physical fitness, and "getting one's life in order" BEFORE they're sent out to date & have relations with others! That being said, the rest was a MUST READ for any/all "ACTUAL TEENS" 12+ (excluding girls plagued with blooming early and/or parents finding it difficult to talk about birds, bees, & womanly changes!)

As an adult this book wasn’t too helpful. I found some good tidbits, but nothing serious. However, I realize it is written for a different reader, and if I was reading this when I was in 5Th, 6th or even up through high school I think it would have been nice having a place where everything you could or will be going through it set. To that, i applaud Mayim.I also read this so I could read it’s companion Boying Up...cause I am the mother of a boy and didn’t have close siblings to relate anything like this to my brother.

I bought this for my granddaughter. I read it first and found nothing in it that I felt was too "adult" for a ten-year-old. Straightforward conversation about life, body changes, how boys are different, accepting yourself as perfect just as you are, and not looking at others as the "right way to look, act, and think." I wish she had used medical terms for body parts, but that might make some parents uncomfortable. Even if you have talked openly about bodies and boys with your daughter, it cannot hurt to have an "expert" tell her again when she can read and re-read in the privacy of her own room. If you have not been comfortable in these discussions, read this yourself before you have those needed discussions.

Ms Bialik writes concisely & confidently in a matter of fact but honest fashion. She gets to the point with an obviously science based reasoning & tackles potentially embarrassing life lessons in a factual, charming manner, highlighting the cultural & personal advantages to being amongst "late bloomers". She is as charming, funny & progressive as her on screen personas imply & I couldn't think of a more suitable role model for both my daughters. Highly recommended.

I bought this for my daughter to help with her with her puberty, and body changes. And she said that it's a good, and it's not full of jargon. It has helped her, as she wouldn't wear training bras, but since reading has somehow changed her thinking in this way.I think not daughter now has read this book 2-3times, and finds a good read. If she likes this book then it's good enough for me

My daughter read it all. She seemed to like it. I think it's important for teens to understand how the world works, how they are valuable and being insecure is ok, and what to do about it.

A very informative book about changes that happen to you as you progress to adult life as a girl. I like the way the author describes things, she does it in a fun way. All of what she says is true, I can relate to some of them. I would recommend this book, it is one that I can keep referring back to and keep on my shelf. As it says on the cover, it is how to be strong, smart and spectacular!

It's not a bad book, but I expected more from it.Probably for girls younger than 12.