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Graceful: Letting Go of Your Try-Hard Life
You know her--the good girl. She's the reliable one who shows up every week at youth group wearing a purity ring and a smile. She gets good grades, makes the team, and doesn't need to be told to come home on time. But deep down she is crushed by the weight of the responsibility to be the good one, the smart one, the one who never messes up.
With the same candor and gentle spirit she showed women in Grace for the Good Girl , Emily Freeman now gives young women what they need to be free on the inside, no matter what's going on outside. Through an honest look at the roles girls play, she helps them learn to stop trying and start trusting that the Jesus who came to save them also comes to live with them, right here and now.
With the same candor and gentle spirit she showed women in Grace for the Good Girl , Emily Freeman now gives young women what they need to be free on the inside, no matter what's going on outside. Through an honest look at the roles girls play, she helps them learn to stop trying and start trusting that the Jesus who came to save them also comes to live with them, right here and now.
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Published October 19, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 15, 2016
I didn't know how much I needed to read this book until I read it.
Two days was all it took me. I definitely identify as a "good girl," and as Emily writes, it has a whole lot less to do with who you are on the outside and a lot more to do with what you believe on the inside.
This book was so freeing, so amazing, so true, so beautiful. I loved it so much.
Perfectionists? This book is for you. It's so right-on, and so helpful. So glad I read it.
Two days was all it took me. I definitely identify as a "good girl," and as Emily writes, it has a whole lot less to do with who you are on the outside and a lot more to do with what you believe on the inside.
This book was so freeing, so amazing, so true, so beautiful. I loved it so much.
Perfectionists? This book is for you. It's so right-on, and so helpful. So glad I read it.
January 17, 2021
Wow! This was NOT an easy book to read and yet it was… Any girl who reads this book will feel like Emily’s writing specifically to her and she is. Emily writes in a clear and truthful way. And what you read may be hard to swallow BECAUSE of the accurateness in what she writes. God did a lot of work in my life through this book. This is a book I will refer to again and again and that I wish every young girl could and would read.
As I began to read this book, I made a promise that I would be completely honest (no matter how hard it would be) and open to whatever the Holy Spirit wanted to show me about myself through ‘Graceful: Letting Go of Your Try-Hard Life’. I was surprised and felt exposed and challenged as I underlined one sentence after another, and I asked myself in amazement, “How can she know so much about me?” My copy of this book is now so underlined (and I am not one who normally writes in books). I’ve been hiding behind masks I never knew existed. I don’t want to hide from Christ; I want to hide IN Christ. I want to LET GO of the try-hard life that I’ve been living and live in Christ’s freedom. This challenge is not easy, but I am willing to take it up.
Not only does Emily point out the different masks that each girl hides behind in each chapter, but she shows how and where we can find a new place to hide… In CHRIST! Even as Christians we are tempted to hide behind our masks; masks that don't seem like masks at all. Believe me; you will be surprised at how many ways and disguises, masks (whatever you want to call them) that you’re hiding behind without even realizing it.
Let God use this truth-filled book to show you how you can better live a graceful life instead of a ‘good’ life. Trust me, if you let Him, He’ll do it and you WON'T be disappointed!!
As I began to read this book, I made a promise that I would be completely honest (no matter how hard it would be) and open to whatever the Holy Spirit wanted to show me about myself through ‘Graceful: Letting Go of Your Try-Hard Life’. I was surprised and felt exposed and challenged as I underlined one sentence after another, and I asked myself in amazement, “How can she know so much about me?” My copy of this book is now so underlined (and I am not one who normally writes in books). I’ve been hiding behind masks I never knew existed. I don’t want to hide from Christ; I want to hide IN Christ. I want to LET GO of the try-hard life that I’ve been living and live in Christ’s freedom. This challenge is not easy, but I am willing to take it up.
Not only does Emily point out the different masks that each girl hides behind in each chapter, but she shows how and where we can find a new place to hide… In CHRIST! Even as Christians we are tempted to hide behind our masks; masks that don't seem like masks at all. Believe me; you will be surprised at how many ways and disguises, masks (whatever you want to call them) that you’re hiding behind without even realizing it.
Let God use this truth-filled book to show you how you can better live a graceful life instead of a ‘good’ life. Trust me, if you let Him, He’ll do it and you WON'T be disappointed!!
July 24, 2017
This book was amazing from cover to cover. The cover is beautiful, and the inside is perfect. This book describes me in so many ways. Each chapter Freeman talks about a different side of the "good girl" and all of them are me. This book explains so well how to let go of the try-hard life while acknowledging how hard it can be. Freeman is transparent and includes anecdotes that illustrate her points perfectly.
I would highly recommend this book.
I would highly recommend this book.
September 10, 2016
Wow. This book really opened my eyes with the different type things. + I realized I am some of them
I loved the way it was written and it was easy to understand. There weren't hidden meaning or anything. Just the honest truth
I loved the way it was written and it was easy to understand. There weren't hidden meaning or anything. Just the honest truth
January 25, 2015
I received this book as a Confirmation gift last year and finally got around to reading it this year.
I felt like it was written for me.
This book is for every girl who feels like she's not enough. For the one who needs to get good grades, to be the best, to show everyone that she's got it all together.
I'm that girl, and as I read this book, my soul was soothed. I don't have it all together; no one does! But that's the great gift: our un-loveliness and messiness is loved by God, and all we have to do is receive it. It was such a gift for me to read this book. God really touched me as I was reading it and told me that I am loved and that He will make my blunders beautiful.
Emily Freeman is not Catholic, so there were a few parts that aroused a few questions. She talked about the body, soul and spirit as the four ways that we as people relate with the world; our body relates physically, our soul relates to people emotionally and our spirit relates to God. My understanding is that the Church doesn't make distinctions on which part of us relates to the world. I'm unclear on the Church's teachings about the difference between the soul and spirit as well.
Finally, the big message in the book is that the work that God asks of us is to believe in Him. Basically, we try to DO things for God when instead we should be drawing near to Him and receiving His love, sort of like the Mary and Martha story. I'm really susceptible to this: "I love God, so He must be telling me to do something for Him!" graceful made a big point that the Will of God is that we have faith in Him.
Now I feel like this arouses the whole faith saves you vs. faith and works save you argument, and this is what I discovered as I read this book: true faith, the kind of faith that comes to the foot of Jesus and receives, the kind that acknowledges one's failures and looks to God for everything, naturally produces good works. If I have true faith, my works will naturally spring forth because I long to know God more and the things that I do will lead me closer. It's a natural cycle: true faith gives birth to works, without really thinking about it.
If I think, "I will work for God to be saved", that's the wrong mentality. Our faith in God is KEY, but if we don't act on what we believe, how can we call it faith? True faith naturally comes with works, and that's all there is to it.
I loved this book. READ IT. If you feel like you aren't enough, read this book. You are enough because He loves you.
I felt like it was written for me.
This book is for every girl who feels like she's not enough. For the one who needs to get good grades, to be the best, to show everyone that she's got it all together.
I'm that girl, and as I read this book, my soul was soothed. I don't have it all together; no one does! But that's the great gift: our un-loveliness and messiness is loved by God, and all we have to do is receive it. It was such a gift for me to read this book. God really touched me as I was reading it and told me that I am loved and that He will make my blunders beautiful.
Emily Freeman is not Catholic, so there were a few parts that aroused a few questions. She talked about the body, soul and spirit as the four ways that we as people relate with the world; our body relates physically, our soul relates to people emotionally and our spirit relates to God. My understanding is that the Church doesn't make distinctions on which part of us relates to the world. I'm unclear on the Church's teachings about the difference between the soul and spirit as well.
Finally, the big message in the book is that the work that God asks of us is to believe in Him. Basically, we try to DO things for God when instead we should be drawing near to Him and receiving His love, sort of like the Mary and Martha story. I'm really susceptible to this: "I love God, so He must be telling me to do something for Him!" graceful made a big point that the Will of God is that we have faith in Him.
Now I feel like this arouses the whole faith saves you vs. faith and works save you argument, and this is what I discovered as I read this book: true faith, the kind of faith that comes to the foot of Jesus and receives, the kind that acknowledges one's failures and looks to God for everything, naturally produces good works. If I have true faith, my works will naturally spring forth because I long to know God more and the things that I do will lead me closer. It's a natural cycle: true faith gives birth to works, without really thinking about it.
If I think, "I will work for God to be saved", that's the wrong mentality. Our faith in God is KEY, but if we don't act on what we believe, how can we call it faith? True faith naturally comes with works, and that's all there is to it.
I loved this book. READ IT. If you feel like you aren't enough, read this book. You are enough because He loves you.
January 20, 2013
This was such an inspiring book! It called for the remembrance of who God has made us to be-- His beloved. Emily pointed out that too often we try to be God's "do-loved." We hide behind all sorts of false identities that are motivated by fear and lead us to listen to voice of the "good girl" who promotes actions, activities, and thoughts that undermine the true meaning of grace. We must make the choice to truly believe the voice of Jesus when He says we are beautiful, graceful, and enough in who He made us to be.
June 4, 2015
Bad grammar, narrow minded topics, shallow thinking, and too much talking; not enough words.
It seemed like the whole book was geared towards one type of girl so I couldn't relate to the stories and topics. On top of that, there was far too much talking and story-telling and not enough thinking or scripture.
I will not be recommending this book to anyone.
It seemed like the whole book was geared towards one type of girl so I couldn't relate to the stories and topics. On top of that, there was far too much talking and story-telling and not enough thinking or scripture.
I will not be recommending this book to anyone.
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September 9, 2020Originally I gave this title 4 stars. I am revising my stars to zero.
The reason I am doing so is that since reading this title, several things about my faith journey and expression have changed and I no longer subscribe to evangelical ideologies.
The reason I am doing so is that since reading this title, several things about my faith journey and expression have changed and I no longer subscribe to evangelical ideologies.
March 12, 2013
This was a wonderful book. There were so many helpful sections/quotes/verses and life advice. I know my version over the years will be well used and loved.
April 25, 2014
Great for small group study. Really gets to the heart of what so many teen girls deal with.
August 15, 2015
Emily Freeman might be my favorite Christian author. Everything she writes is beautiful, golden, and God-breathed. So thankful for her words.
April 27, 2024
Quick but powerful. Playful but deep. Lighthearted but thoughtful.
August 13, 2012
I would like to thank NetGalley for my book of Freeman's book (which I received in return for an honest review).
This book spoke out to me and by the end of the synopsis I was hooked. Being a teenager having the mind of a child while having the expectations of an adult put down upon us. With school (don't get me started on college), crushes, and extracurricular activities it's almost impossible to have spare time unless you shorten the number of hours you sleep. While (in an ideal world) there are no definite labels, Freeman analyzes the 8 types of masks we put on in order to hide our real fears: the Actress, the Girl Next Door, the Activist, the Heroine, the Bystander, the Judge, the Intellectual, and the Dreamer.
This book has strong religious values as a main theme and I respect that. Even without the Bible versus and allusions (which are spiritual as well as enlightening), the messages inside of this book are true and speaks out to girls of all different types. There were several times while I was reading Freeman's messages where I went I act like that,too. or This book is like my inner fears written down. The words Freeman writes are powerful and spell out what all girls (and even guys) think about constantly as they transitions into adulthood.
What I didn't like was that the book only used God as a solution. True. This is a Christian book, but if Freeman can spell out these problems so well, what's keeping her from telling us practical solutions that aren't only based on faith? Faith is important and is also very significant to me. But, this book would appeal to a larger demographic/number of people if other solutions (besides faith) could help alleviate the pressures we face as teenagers. Part of the title: Letting Go of You Try-Hard Life, can be misleading. Rather than telling us to ignore our problems and simply give-up, Freeman tells us to face our fears and only when we are able to overcome our fears (trust in God) can the pressure ease.
Overall: I would recommend this book to girls (and guys) who are interested in soothing their inner demons and fears through faith in God. Those who are having doubt in their ability to face the hardships of school, parents, and life in general for a teenager. This book gives off a more motivational speaker (tell-teenagers-live) sort of tone.
This review can be found on my blog.
(book given free in exchange for an honest review)
This book spoke out to me and by the end of the synopsis I was hooked. Being a teenager having the mind of a child while having the expectations of an adult put down upon us. With school (don't get me started on college), crushes, and extracurricular activities it's almost impossible to have spare time unless you shorten the number of hours you sleep. While (in an ideal world) there are no definite labels, Freeman analyzes the 8 types of masks we put on in order to hide our real fears: the Actress, the Girl Next Door, the Activist, the Heroine, the Bystander, the Judge, the Intellectual, and the Dreamer.
This book has strong religious values as a main theme and I respect that. Even without the Bible versus and allusions (which are spiritual as well as enlightening), the messages inside of this book are true and speaks out to girls of all different types. There were several times while I was reading Freeman's messages where I went I act like that,too. or This book is like my inner fears written down. The words Freeman writes are powerful and spell out what all girls (and even guys) think about constantly as they transitions into adulthood.
What I didn't like was that the book only used God as a solution. True. This is a Christian book, but if Freeman can spell out these problems so well, what's keeping her from telling us practical solutions that aren't only based on faith? Faith is important and is also very significant to me. But, this book would appeal to a larger demographic/number of people if other solutions (besides faith) could help alleviate the pressures we face as teenagers. Part of the title: Letting Go of You Try-Hard Life, can be misleading. Rather than telling us to ignore our problems and simply give-up, Freeman tells us to face our fears and only when we are able to overcome our fears (trust in God) can the pressure ease.
Overall: I would recommend this book to girls (and guys) who are interested in soothing their inner demons and fears through faith in God. Those who are having doubt in their ability to face the hardships of school, parents, and life in general for a teenager. This book gives off a more motivational speaker (tell-teenagers-live) sort of tone.
This review can be found on my blog.
(book given free in exchange for an honest review)
July 25, 2015
(Alert: This is not really a review. Just some impressions.)
When I find myself in times of trouble (no, don’t sing it smile emoticon ) late evening and I need a book to read I resort to whatever might be in the house. You may wonder how I (64 yrs old) came to read a girl book. Furthermore, it is about good girls. It is a book I gave to my wife a while back after she had expressed interest in the book.
What is it about a book written for young women which ended up being quite an exceptional read for me? I will share with you, and the author, just a bit.
Emily Freeman is to be commended for several things not the least of which is her introduction and use of the term good girl. Despite her mindfulness of potential misunderstandings and quick dismissals of the book by some Emily is unflinching and unapologetic in her ownership and use of the term good girl in her book.
Here is the thing that while Emily wrote this book for young women there is not a whole lot which, in slightly different shades, is not also true of men. But, I do not want to diminish or dilute with this reference to men the fact that the book is powerfully written in the voice of a woman, by a woman and for women.
One of the things that resonated with me is that there are no platitudes or euphemisms. Emily has not only referenced her point quite well with the background and authority of scripture, but she has also unfolded these with some profound insights. She has delivered what I consider a true scholarly work for women. I expect there are some saints in Christ who would differ with that assessment, but here is why I place it in that category. It is because she has addressed a perception and reality from a personal perspective which is common among many young women and she has done so without the convoluted, obscure muddle of biblical languages and plain English being muddled as what MUST, according to some readers, characterize a written work if it is to be considered as being a scholarly work.
As I look forward (this Fall maybe) to teaching a series on the indwelling of deity in the believer there are a few, simple, clear, powerful and relevant clips which I plan to quote (by way of introducing my sisters, and brothers, in Christ to this book. Here are just two.
“What if we started listening first to who God says he is, then to who God says we are?” p 153
In a subsection entitled, How to Live, Emily does not give readers a list of what-to-do as is often the case. Here it is without her exposition. Spoiler alert: worship.
When I find myself in times of trouble (no, don’t sing it smile emoticon ) late evening and I need a book to read I resort to whatever might be in the house. You may wonder how I (64 yrs old) came to read a girl book. Furthermore, it is about good girls. It is a book I gave to my wife a while back after she had expressed interest in the book.
What is it about a book written for young women which ended up being quite an exceptional read for me? I will share with you, and the author, just a bit.
Emily Freeman is to be commended for several things not the least of which is her introduction and use of the term good girl. Despite her mindfulness of potential misunderstandings and quick dismissals of the book by some Emily is unflinching and unapologetic in her ownership and use of the term good girl in her book.
Here is the thing that while Emily wrote this book for young women there is not a whole lot which, in slightly different shades, is not also true of men. But, I do not want to diminish or dilute with this reference to men the fact that the book is powerfully written in the voice of a woman, by a woman and for women.
One of the things that resonated with me is that there are no platitudes or euphemisms. Emily has not only referenced her point quite well with the background and authority of scripture, but she has also unfolded these with some profound insights. She has delivered what I consider a true scholarly work for women. I expect there are some saints in Christ who would differ with that assessment, but here is why I place it in that category. It is because she has addressed a perception and reality from a personal perspective which is common among many young women and she has done so without the convoluted, obscure muddle of biblical languages and plain English being muddled as what MUST, according to some readers, characterize a written work if it is to be considered as being a scholarly work.
As I look forward (this Fall maybe) to teaching a series on the indwelling of deity in the believer there are a few, simple, clear, powerful and relevant clips which I plan to quote (by way of introducing my sisters, and brothers, in Christ to this book. Here are just two.
“What if we started listening first to who God says he is, then to who God says we are?” p 153
In a subsection entitled, How to Live, Emily does not give readers a list of what-to-do as is often the case. Here it is without her exposition. Spoiler alert: worship.
August 11, 2012
It's clear that the author grew up working hard to be the good girl, and probably succeeded. I read this book thinking of its potential for my own teen girls, and as a small group study resource. But as a grown-up, former good girl, I connected with a lot of what I read and found myself in the pages.
The premise is that all of us hide behind something--rules, good grades, causes, image, responsibility--and this hiding keeps us from ever truly being known. Ms. Freeman sums this up well in the first chapter:
Each chapter elaborates on a different way we hide, full of examples from lives of teens the author has worked with, as well as from her own life. At the end of each chapter we find truths from God's Word about who He is and who He expects us to be, with practical applications of these truths.
It would seem that the girls falling into these traps would be those with a good reputation, those you'd never consider rebellious. But the book also speaks to girls who have done "bad things" and wouldn't necessarily call themselves good girls, since all WANT to be loved and accepted.
This book is one that would definitely minister to young ladies who find themselves working so hard to live up to the expectations of others that they don't even know what God expects of them. Keep an eye on the author's website for soon-to-come resources for study groups.
Find a bit more detail at my blog.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, courtesy of netGalley.com.
The premise is that all of us hide behind something--rules, good grades, causes, image, responsibility--and this hiding keeps us from ever truly being known. Ms. Freeman sums this up well in the first chapter:
We have grown so comfortable in our girl-made hiding places that we forget the most important part of hide-and-seek: the best part of hiding is being found. If no one is looking for you, what's the point of hiding? Don't we all really want to be known, to be loved, to be accepted, to be searched for, to be found?
Each chapter elaborates on a different way we hide, full of examples from lives of teens the author has worked with, as well as from her own life. At the end of each chapter we find truths from God's Word about who He is and who He expects us to be, with practical applications of these truths.
It would seem that the girls falling into these traps would be those with a good reputation, those you'd never consider rebellious. But the book also speaks to girls who have done "bad things" and wouldn't necessarily call themselves good girls, since all WANT to be loved and accepted.
This book is one that would definitely minister to young ladies who find themselves working so hard to live up to the expectations of others that they don't even know what God expects of them. Keep an eye on the author's website for soon-to-come resources for study groups.
Find a bit more detail at my blog.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, courtesy of netGalley.com.
November 2, 2012
I can tell you plenty of good things about Emily's book Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life and when I heard about a review opportunity for a new book I jumped into it not even really looking at the book subject. Graceful (for Young Women): Letting Go of Your Try-Hard Life is an echo of things I remember reading in Grace for the Good Girl, but they are written for a younger audience with more mention of school and college and jobs than motherhood and marriage as in the original book. However, as someone who has read both books, there are different details in each that make both a worthy read. Graceful is about the voices within that allow us to hide from who we can be in Christ, while Grace for the Good Girl is about masks. I am not exactly the "young woman" that this book is written for as I'm married with two children already, but it was not long ago that I was and the words in this book still speak strongly to me and where I am.
Apparently I'm a dreamer, and I never really realized it. Emily has a way with her books that really gets you into thinking and I know that her words are in the right direction, because with the first book and again with this one it is shocking how hard and fast the enemy seems to attack. My book is all marked up with tons of things outlined here and there. There is so "much" in this little book and I really recommend it.
*Thanks to Revell for providing a copy for review.*
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Apparently I'm a dreamer, and I never really realized it. Emily has a way with her books that really gets you into thinking and I know that her words are in the right direction, because with the first book and again with this one it is shocking how hard and fast the enemy seems to attack. My book is all marked up with tons of things outlined here and there. There is so "much" in this little book and I really recommend it.
*Thanks to Revell for providing a copy for review.*
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
November 9, 2012
Graceful
Letting Go of Your Try-hard Life
By Emily P. Freeman
Graceful is written for young woman who are trying to be what is expected of them. These expectations can take the form of a certain attitude, behavior, grades - basically any outward visible behavior. But who are you really. What matters is your heart and your relationship with God.
Emily takes us on a journey - the life journey of the Good Girl and her attempt to be everything to everybody. She gives us pointers on how to take a step back and determine what is really important in our lives.
We learn that no matter how hard we try we can never be perfect. There is only one perfect being in the universe and He doesn't expect us to perform for Him because He knows us and He still loves us. All the rules in the world can't and won't make us perfect. A 4.0 grade point average won't make us perfect. The best clothes, perfect skin, popularity none of it matters to God. God sees and knows our heart and it is our love for Him and His for us that washes us clean and makes us perfect in His eyes.
We must learn to ignore the voices inside us that tell us we can never measure up that we need to perform before God can accept us. The voice we need to listen to is God's and only God's.
Is the stress of trying to live up to others expectations weighing you down? If your answer is yes read Graceful you just may find yourself looking at your life from an entirely different perspective - God's!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review, all opinions expressed are my own.
Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Letting Go of Your Try-hard Life
By Emily P. Freeman
Graceful is written for young woman who are trying to be what is expected of them. These expectations can take the form of a certain attitude, behavior, grades - basically any outward visible behavior. But who are you really. What matters is your heart and your relationship with God.
Emily takes us on a journey - the life journey of the Good Girl and her attempt to be everything to everybody. She gives us pointers on how to take a step back and determine what is really important in our lives.
We learn that no matter how hard we try we can never be perfect. There is only one perfect being in the universe and He doesn't expect us to perform for Him because He knows us and He still loves us. All the rules in the world can't and won't make us perfect. A 4.0 grade point average won't make us perfect. The best clothes, perfect skin, popularity none of it matters to God. God sees and knows our heart and it is our love for Him and His for us that washes us clean and makes us perfect in His eyes.
We must learn to ignore the voices inside us that tell us we can never measure up that we need to perform before God can accept us. The voice we need to listen to is God's and only God's.
Is the stress of trying to live up to others expectations weighing you down? If your answer is yes read Graceful you just may find yourself looking at your life from an entirely different perspective - God's!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review, all opinions expressed are my own.
Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
November 29, 2012
The author of Grace For the Good Girl (the "Big Girl" version of this book) has written a book for teen girls that will impact a generation of up and coming women to become the very best that God has for them. The message of finding your identity in Christ can be preached from the pulpit and taught in a classroom but it must become real for each young lady. In this book Emily Freeman does just that.
I enjoyed Grace for the Good Girl and this is no different. Being involved in women's ministry the main thing I see is a lack of understanding of our true identity. I hear the broken hearts of women question their value, their worth and who they truly are in light of the secular world's standards. They fail to see that they are loved beyond measure, beautiful to their Father and are in fact the very apple of his eye.
I would recommend this book for any parent with a teen and for grandparents wanting to give a gift of encouragement to their granddaughters. I would go even farther to say that youth pastors and leaders ought to invest in a copy to read for themselves and a few to keep on hand to to give to many of the youth girls in the groups they lead.
The writing style of this author is friendly, warm and easy to follow. Furthermore, Emily Freeman connects with the younger generation because of her candor and non-judgmental compassion.
This is a wonderful book and resource.
Thank you Revell for this free review copy!
I enjoyed Grace for the Good Girl and this is no different. Being involved in women's ministry the main thing I see is a lack of understanding of our true identity. I hear the broken hearts of women question their value, their worth and who they truly are in light of the secular world's standards. They fail to see that they are loved beyond measure, beautiful to their Father and are in fact the very apple of his eye.
I would recommend this book for any parent with a teen and for grandparents wanting to give a gift of encouragement to their granddaughters. I would go even farther to say that youth pastors and leaders ought to invest in a copy to read for themselves and a few to keep on hand to to give to many of the youth girls in the groups they lead.
The writing style of this author is friendly, warm and easy to follow. Furthermore, Emily Freeman connects with the younger generation because of her candor and non-judgmental compassion.
This is a wonderful book and resource.
Thank you Revell for this free review copy!
May 24, 2018
The book was specifically written with young women (early high school-ish) in mind. I can honestly say though, it spoke to my heart and was incredibly relatable even though I’m quite a few years older. The book is directed to the “good girl” in so many of us. Emily dives into many of the different good girl personas that exist, what those girls fear and are hiding from, and how they can be redeemed in the name of Christ. There is even a quiz available in the free leader’s guide online to find out exactly which personas you relate to most! The overall theme is that all of us can find freedom in the grace of God. Emily’s stories throughout the book are relatable and sparked many great conversations at my small group's weekly breakfast. Each point she made was backed up with scriptural evidence. These scriptures were great for the girls and I to ponder until the next meeting.
I would highly suggest this book to any girl (or woman) struggling with internal and external pressures to behave a certain way. As reiterated throughout the book, God gives us grace! I want to thank Emily from the bottom of my heart for writing Graceful and providing free resources for adult leaders. Since I used this book my first time attempting to lead, it reduced the learning curve and lessened my anxiety.
I would highly suggest this book to any girl (or woman) struggling with internal and external pressures to behave a certain way. As reiterated throughout the book, God gives us grace! I want to thank Emily from the bottom of my heart for writing Graceful and providing free resources for adult leaders. Since I used this book my first time attempting to lead, it reduced the learning curve and lessened my anxiety.
October 29, 2012
Title: GRACEFUL
Author: Emily P. Freeman
Publisher: Revell
September 2012
ISBN: 978-0800719838
Genre: Nonfiction/youth/Christian living
This book is for the prom queen, the athlete, the bookworm, and the dreamer. It’s for the good test taker and the strict list maker. It’s for the rule follower, the fear wallflower, the messy, and the misunderstood. For the self-critic, the silent judge, and the girl who feels invisible. For the girl who is tired of trying and the one afraid to fail. These words are for you.
You don’t have to be perfect. But do you trust the One who is?
GRACEFUL (for young women) is a book for all teenaged girls. They all (apparently) suffer from some sort of feeling of not fitting in quite right and hide it behind different personas. Even as an adult, we suffer from insecurity, and the other personas, hiding behind fake smiles, books, lists, and more.
I read this book through in a Sunday afternoon and am going to give my copy to my seventeen year old daughter to read. I know her and what she hides behind, and I think this book might be beneficial to her to know other girls have the same insecurities. This book is must reading for any teen girl or youth leader. Absolutely recommended. $12.99. 168 pages.
Author: Emily P. Freeman
Publisher: Revell
September 2012
ISBN: 978-0800719838
Genre: Nonfiction/youth/Christian living
This book is for the prom queen, the athlete, the bookworm, and the dreamer. It’s for the good test taker and the strict list maker. It’s for the rule follower, the fear wallflower, the messy, and the misunderstood. For the self-critic, the silent judge, and the girl who feels invisible. For the girl who is tired of trying and the one afraid to fail. These words are for you.
You don’t have to be perfect. But do you trust the One who is?
GRACEFUL (for young women) is a book for all teenaged girls. They all (apparently) suffer from some sort of feeling of not fitting in quite right and hide it behind different personas. Even as an adult, we suffer from insecurity, and the other personas, hiding behind fake smiles, books, lists, and more.
I read this book through in a Sunday afternoon and am going to give my copy to my seventeen year old daughter to read. I know her and what she hides behind, and I think this book might be beneficial to her to know other girls have the same insecurities. This book is must reading for any teen girl or youth leader. Absolutely recommended. $12.99. 168 pages.
June 11, 2013
This book is fantastic. I knew when I first picked it up that it was for me, with its caption "Letting go of your try-hard life". Reading the back of the book only increased that impression.
However, I realized as I read it that it really applies to a lot of girls and women (though it is mainly aimed at high school girls). Even if she doesn't consider herself a "good girl", she likely experiences some of the pressures or "voices" as the author describes them. It is also likely that this book would help her, whoever she is, to learn to recognize those voices and know what to do with them.
This book is packed with wisdom, so much so that I felt I might have to reread it to catch everything. However, I still came away from it with a new understanding of myself, my life, and my faith. I'm grateful to this author for shining a new light on aspects of myself that I had never really considered before.
I highly recommend this book to any girl or woman, even if she doesn't think she fits any of the descriptions on the cover.
However, I realized as I read it that it really applies to a lot of girls and women (though it is mainly aimed at high school girls). Even if she doesn't consider herself a "good girl", she likely experiences some of the pressures or "voices" as the author describes them. It is also likely that this book would help her, whoever she is, to learn to recognize those voices and know what to do with them.
This book is packed with wisdom, so much so that I felt I might have to reread it to catch everything. However, I still came away from it with a new understanding of myself, my life, and my faith. I'm grateful to this author for shining a new light on aspects of myself that I had never really considered before.
I highly recommend this book to any girl or woman, even if she doesn't think she fits any of the descriptions on the cover.
November 6, 2012
Don't we all really want to be known, to be loved, to be accepted,
to be searched for, to be found?
- Emily Freeman
Emily Freeman's powerful words in her book, Graceful, speak to the "good girl" in all of us. She writes to those of us who have hidden our true selves behind a mask to meet the expectations and avoid the judgement of others. She offers words of understanding, encouragement, and freedom.
This book is a love letter to young women from another who has been behind the mask and through God has found the freedom to be who He created her to be.
This book is written for young women, but speaks to all of us.
Graceful is a book I highly recommend to all women along with her other book Grace for the Good Girl.
It would be a fantastic book to read in a small group setting,
especially in youth groups. It would be wonderful to read together with a young woman you are mentoring. It is perfect for a mother and daughter to read together.
to be searched for, to be found?
- Emily Freeman
Emily Freeman's powerful words in her book, Graceful, speak to the "good girl" in all of us. She writes to those of us who have hidden our true selves behind a mask to meet the expectations and avoid the judgement of others. She offers words of understanding, encouragement, and freedom.
This book is a love letter to young women from another who has been behind the mask and through God has found the freedom to be who He created her to be.
This book is written for young women, but speaks to all of us.
Graceful is a book I highly recommend to all women along with her other book Grace for the Good Girl.
It would be a fantastic book to read in a small group setting,
especially in youth groups. It would be wonderful to read together with a young woman you are mentoring. It is perfect for a mother and daughter to read together.
March 30, 2021
It’s hard for me to not speak too highly of this book! I am obviously a bit biased just based on my own experience and how this message met me at a very specific season of life. But still, I do think the Lord has so much He will gift to readers through this book!
I hesitate to say things like this and so this does not come lightly, but, truthfully, this book changed my life—or rather, the Lord used this book to change my life. A counselor recommended it to me during a very intense season of anxiety, and it had such a tremendous role in my healing, helping me begin to understand the concept of grace from the Lord for the first time. I am (forever) so, so grateful.
Would definitely recommend to female students (middle school, high school, maybe college)...though the message certainly applies to women of all ages. But the author has another book, Grace for the Good Girl, that is designed for adult women that might provide more relevant examples for that age group.
I hesitate to say things like this and so this does not come lightly, but, truthfully, this book changed my life—or rather, the Lord used this book to change my life. A counselor recommended it to me during a very intense season of anxiety, and it had such a tremendous role in my healing, helping me begin to understand the concept of grace from the Lord for the first time. I am (forever) so, so grateful.
Would definitely recommend to female students (middle school, high school, maybe college)...though the message certainly applies to women of all ages. But the author has another book, Grace for the Good Girl, that is designed for adult women that might provide more relevant examples for that age group.
April 18, 2020
This is a christian devotional/self improvement book is about the different personas that teenagers/young adults put on to get by and how that persona intermingles with being a Christian. There is a quiz online you can take that links you to the personality type you resonate with most. Each section dives into different attributes of a personality sort and I could see how these personas are all able to be brought out within myself. This book is perfect and insightful for Christian women who identify themselves as the “perfectionist” type. This book drags the focus off of what all it is that you do but rather who you are. I love the way this book includes passages from the Bible to support the claims made in the book. Something that is to be aware of is that if this doesn't seem to be your personality type, you may not resonate with the chapters as much.
January 21, 2013
Oh how I wish this book had been around years ago! This is an excellent book for any teen girl to read. I would say any parent or teen leader should read it too. It is written in a loving and easy to understand language. Learning to love who you are just like the Lord loves you is a valuable lesson that all teenagers need to learn.
I gave this book 5/5 stars. If you know a teenage girl please buy her this book, especially if you don’t think she needs it! You never know what is going on in the life of your teenager and this book may have just the advice she needs for whatever is on her mind right now. I highly recommend this book!
I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
I gave this book 5/5 stars. If you know a teenage girl please buy her this book, especially if you don’t think she needs it! You never know what is going on in the life of your teenager and this book may have just the advice she needs for whatever is on her mind right now. I highly recommend this book!
I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
May 1, 2013
This is one of those books you wish you could read 1000 times over, you want to read to and with every girl in your life, and wish you had written yourself. I read "Grace for the Good Girl" [the "adult" version of this book] and actually liked Graceful a little bit more [though perhaps that's because I work with high school girls]. Reading it feels like you and the author are getting coffee - her sweet and tender tone just flows out of every page.
Often times books for women are lame. Often times books for young women are even lamer. This book is neither; it is full of grace AND truth, just like Jesus.
Read it if you are a teenager, have been a teenager, or know a teenager. I cannot recommend it enough.
Often times books for women are lame. Often times books for young women are even lamer. This book is neither; it is full of grace AND truth, just like Jesus.
Read it if you are a teenager, have been a teenager, or know a teenager. I cannot recommend it enough.
July 3, 2013
Um, I loved it! A perfect book for those of us who try really hard to make life look easy, but in actually still struggle just like everyone else, and wonder if there's a better way.
I'm pretty sure that Emily Freeman (the author) is my new best-friend-that-I've-never-met. All of the stories she tells are engaging and relatable, and she really captures God's heart throughout the book. She reminds readers of the same truths over and over, but it doesn't seem repetitive. The book is surprisingly short, considering its implications on life, but that makes sense in a way. The answers to our deepest questions are not long and complicated, but simple, and that is what sometimes makes them hardest to accept.
I'm pretty sure that Emily Freeman (the author) is my new best-friend-that-I've-never-met. All of the stories she tells are engaging and relatable, and she really captures God's heart throughout the book. She reminds readers of the same truths over and over, but it doesn't seem repetitive. The book is surprisingly short, considering its implications on life, but that makes sense in a way. The answers to our deepest questions are not long and complicated, but simple, and that is what sometimes makes them hardest to accept.
May 29, 2016
Read this book with a group of 12-13 year old 'good' girls and their moms. I definitely think the moms got just as much from it as the girls, if not more. We divided the book over several months and discussed 1 or 2 chapters at a time, so I feel like we pretty thoroughly explored it. The level it is written on was perfect for the girls, not above their heads but also not patronizing. When I say these are 'good' girls, I mean that they are girls who are driven and want to do well in multiple areas of their lives. They also feel strongly about pleasing everyone around them. This book is great about saying, that is wonderful, but your worth and identity does not come from how well you perform: it comes from the One who made you. I would definitely recommend for women of any age.
June 3, 2014
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. The "good girl" she was talking about is me, and the insights she gave were desperately needed.
It felt like Emily Freeman wrote this book for me. Absolutely everything applied, some of her feeling and "conversations" I had actually had myself. I mean practically word for word. I got a Kindle version, but as with every book I really like I am going to buy a print version so I can copy and paste everything to my wall. I am getting over my fear of writing in books, and I can tell you I shall be highlighting and writing all over the margins of this one!
It felt like Emily Freeman wrote this book for me. Absolutely everything applied, some of her feeling and "conversations" I had actually had myself. I mean practically word for word. I got a Kindle version, but as with every book I really like I am going to buy a print version so I can copy and paste everything to my wall. I am getting over my fear of writing in books, and I can tell you I shall be highlighting and writing all over the margins of this one!
March 2, 2015
This book is for the goody-two-shoes; the girls who always do the right thing. The ones who follow the rules and plan out their future. This book is for the good girl. It talks about how good girls strive for perfection, approval, acceptance, etc. And it points the reader toward The One who says “Rest. It’s ok. You don’t have to prove anything for I know your heart.”This book is geared mostly for high schoolers or freshmen in college. So I didn’t get too much out of it, however given the target audience, it is a great book. I wish I would have read this in high school.
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