Whether professional, volunteer, or parent (or all three) this is the the most insightful book I have found. After alot of concern about dieting and clothes obsession, I realized, as I read, just how healthy my own daughter is. I wish I had this book 20 years ago!!

As a teenage girl of 17, I related completely with most of the stories in the book. Ms. Pipher acurately portrays the hardships that face girls in the 90's. Also, more importantly, I battle bulimia each day, and the chapter dealing with eating disorders is very accurate. I intend to begin another book by Mary Pipher, "Hunger Pains" which I hope will help me and others understand the eating disorder epidemic in this country. Although I somewhat resent the portrayal of "most girls" as victims, for the most part the book was very inspiring and very, very accurate. This book is not only great for teenage girls, but for mothers and fathers, nad teenage boys as well. I would help everyone better understand girls, and their struggle to save themselves.

This is such an excellent book. It truly touches the true experience of being a teenage girl.

Being a single Dad, I look for all the guidance I can get; being well educated, I often turn to books to assist. This book is a winner in all aspects. Though case based as many other reviews indicate, it appears easy to apply the learnings in this book to adolescents: both boys and girls; as well as to adults: both men and women. I certainly went through much of the torment highlighted in this book; and wish to assist my daughter (age 9) through her rough times ahead. I wish my parents read it; I hope my ex reads it. I recommend this book for fathers, mothers and social workers alike. I agree that it should be required reading in our school systems

Ninety-nine percent of the girls in this book are unitelligent, weak followers. As if this is the average teenage girl! Ms. Pipher was describing her own cases, all psychological messes, but she somehow came to the conclusion that this was how a teenage girl lives her life. Perhaps in repressed farming towns in the Midwest where no one finishes high school, teenage girls live their lives like that, but not most of the population. It was depressing and insulting that she believes teenage girls are so stupid and susceptible. Besides, all that, the references in it to pop culture are about fifteen years old. No, we don't wear green jeans and listen to Prince. Sorry.

I chose this book for an education class and also because I have a 9 year old daughter. Pipher is wonderful in describing adolescent girls and making the information interesting, educational, and easy to read. I loved the way she gave case studies, and also her description of girls being like "hurricanes in the wind." Anyone, whether male or female, educator or parent will benefit greatly from this book. I recommend it highly.