BeTween: A Preteen Girl's Guide to Life

by Vicki Courtney

An insightful book for preteen girls that looks and reads like an irresistibly fun magazine, BeTween offers a wealth of wisdom to a booming and most impressionable audience. Through colorful articles, quizzes, games, and lists, girls age eight to twelve are encouraged to grow spiritually and socially in every major area of life. Still, most admirably, the book encourages girls to enjoy being their age rather than succumbing to modern culture’s temptations to grow up too fast.Best-selling author Vicki Courtney speaks to girls and women of all ages, and her sold-out conference events for tween girls and their moms are testament to the imminent success that awaits BeTween.

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Vicki Courtney is the best-selling author of numerous books for women, tweens, and teen girls including, Motherhood Is Not Your Highest Calling, Rest Assured, Move On, 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter, 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Son, and Between Us. She is the recipient of a Mom's Choice award and two ECPA Christian Book Awards. She and her husband, Keith reside in the Texas hill country and are the proud parents of three grown children and grandparents to ten grandchildren.

Reviews

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intends a lot of good, aimed at helping girls accept themselves and see through the unrealistic and false belief that popularity and good looks will bring happiness.

Very Christian style, with abundant biblical quotes and Christian exhortations. It is clearly aimed at Christian tweens.

A very direct, non-subtle style, which might be off-putting for readers who are not already convinced about the book's message.

Deals with some great topics, but some are covered in more helpful ways than others.
- Some great 'beauty tips' about making yourself more attractive in a wholistic sense: your smile, voice, posture, eye contact, outward focus, ability to laugh at yourself and lots more.
- Some good ideas about comparing yourself with others, and realising that each person can be different and that's good.
- Good that it discusses modesty, but the approach is a little heavy handed on the "Christ would not want you to wear that" Christian side.
- How to stay in line online
- Things to be aware of when instant messaging
- Cheating
- Fitting in
- being the centre of attention
- being a 'big mouth'
- coping with our moods
- manners
- being left out
- some great tips for friendship, being selfless, willing to forgive, be a friend to many, being faithful to friends, what to do if other's dump you, (again links it with Jesus: a true friend will help you love Jesus more)
- surviving mean girls
- being a good daughter
- being a good sister
- having an attitude
- being a mentor for others
- respecting older people
- some ideas about boys, similarities and differences and how to make it better
- being boy crazy
- a chapter on God (that begins with talking to animals?)
- seeing God's Word as a treasure
- prayer (and a good explanation that God is not a vending machine)
- having a grateful heart towards God
- setting goals, and removing 'idols'
- and a test at the end for how well you know the Bible.

[Jenn Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a guide geared to preteens that is filled with thoughtful and insightful ways of getting through one of the toughest times as a young girl. It handles difficult situations that girls face, with tack and understanding, making them feel like they belong as opposed to being an outsider like most girls feel. Between offers guidance and a felling of acceptance to all those who have ever felt out of place and awkward.

This book is interactive, asking questions at the end of the articles to make girls think about what was read and how it reflects on their own life. It also gives a group of readers something to discuss besides what they watched on television. It is broken into three most important sections; you, others and God. The subject of religion is a touchy issue for some readers; however, it is discussed in a mature manner, using passages from the bible.

Between – A Girl’s Guide to Life offers a fresh look and original concept. It reads like a magazine for those readers intimidated by books. The colours are vibrant and suited for the feminine taste, but it does not overpower the articles. Topics such as the Internet, mean girls, fashion and boys are situations that crop up in every young girl’s life and should be seriously addressed. These issues are explained in a way that is comfortable and not pushed on or authoritative. This book is a great read and a welcome to the market when it is geared to the tween age and shows that young girls do not have to give up their identities to stay in with their friends and society.

Many girls are trying too hard to grow up fast and the author takes her past experience and knowledge to show that enjoying those youthful years should be cherished because there is no going back.

This book should grace the shelves of every tween. All girls have gone through an issue mentioned in the book and it is good to see published works can be geared so appropriately to that age category.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vicki Courtney looked out at the girls of today and was dismayed to see how fast they were growing up. Not physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, girls are pushed by society, the media, and peers to do more than is appropriate for the age. Between, written specifically for girls aged nine to twelve, addresses issues relevant to that time in life.

The magazine-style format is easy and fun to read. The book is filled with photographs and drawings that make the text appealing and eye-catching. Three chapters - You, Others, and God - bracket topics that speak directly to girls' experiences. There are articles, quizzes, and even discussion questions that can be used in a small group setting. Topics covered include: beauty tips, purity, instant messaging, mean girls, embarrassing parents, questions about God, and how to get the most out of the Bible. Every article is accompanied by Bible verses and information about what God has to say about the subject.

Between: A Girl's Guide to Life is a wonderful book and will speak volumes to girls. My ten (and a half) year-old neighbor devoured the book in one sitting and is excited to share it with her friends and her small group at church.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavily Christian focus, but appealing magazine-type style. Great topics, but not a book that we would buy. A quick read is sufficient for getting some new ideas about how to handle difficult situations and about self development.

[Maryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for tweens it has really great lessons about God and you. it also has some cool quizes and games.

[Asia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book for preteens! I loved it