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Being a Girl
A funny, frank and fearless guide to being a girl
Being a girl is not all sugar and spice. How can you possibly survive school and even think about talking to your crush when you have spots in places you didn't even know you had, your boobs are too big (or too small) and the friend drama is off the charts? Luckily, bestselling YA author and sixth-form teacher Hayley Long provides a straight-talking guide to puberty - from cattiness to kisses, and everything in between. With witty black-and-white illustrations by Gemma Correll throughout, BEING A GIRL tells you everything you need to know about surviving puberty, in an honest and humorous way.
Being a girl is not all sugar and spice. How can you possibly survive school and even think about talking to your crush when you have spots in places you didn't even know you had, your boobs are too big (or too small) and the friend drama is off the charts? Luckily, bestselling YA author and sixth-form teacher Hayley Long provides a straight-talking guide to puberty - from cattiness to kisses, and everything in between. With witty black-and-white illustrations by Gemma Correll throughout, BEING A GIRL tells you everything you need to know about surviving puberty, in an honest and humorous way.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2015
14 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Hayley Long
19 books49 followersHayley Long is the author of several award-winning books for teenagers, including What’s Up with Jody Barton? and the Lottie Biggs books. She also works as an English teacher. Hayley Long lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 28, 2015
Brilliantly witty and incredibly informative! A must read for women of all ages!
- I received a copy of this book at the Hot Key Books blogger brunch wherein I also got to meet the lovely author Hayley. After hearing Hayley read from the book I knew it would be a writing style that I would love so I jumped into it pretty sharpish!
- This book is supremely funny but also packs a massive load of useful information. I think all men should be made to read this book, they would probably learn quite a bit!
- There a chapters on periods, hair, sex and fashion (plus loads more!) - literally anything a women needs to know is in this book! One of my favourite parts was the 'Herstory' in which Long speaks of numerous awesome women throughout the ages. I must say I definitely learnt a few things whilst reading this one! Not only is the information put across in a really down-to-earth and original way there are also accompanying illustrations that just bring the humour to life!
- I think Long's addition of a page full of useful websites and contact numbers at the back of the book is something that will be used by many and will be of great help to those who need it.
- 4 out of 5 stars and I would recommend to everyone!
- I received a copy of this book at the Hot Key Books blogger brunch wherein I also got to meet the lovely author Hayley. After hearing Hayley read from the book I knew it would be a writing style that I would love so I jumped into it pretty sharpish!
- This book is supremely funny but also packs a massive load of useful information. I think all men should be made to read this book, they would probably learn quite a bit!
- There a chapters on periods, hair, sex and fashion (plus loads more!) - literally anything a women needs to know is in this book! One of my favourite parts was the 'Herstory' in which Long speaks of numerous awesome women throughout the ages. I must say I definitely learnt a few things whilst reading this one! Not only is the information put across in a really down-to-earth and original way there are also accompanying illustrations that just bring the humour to life!
- I think Long's addition of a page full of useful websites and contact numbers at the back of the book is something that will be used by many and will be of great help to those who need it.
- 4 out of 5 stars and I would recommend to everyone!
October 22, 2018
Teenage girls, listen up: This book is just for you (and not adults)!
Ever wish you could get the truth about something without having to ask adults? Do you have questions swirling around your head and keeping you up nights?
This book is your guidebook to life, boys, sex, health, who you are and what’s going on. Consider it the ultimate hack on life.
Have questions about boys?
Hayley’s got answers and she tells you the truth.
Wonder about whether you’re a boy or a girl (gender identity)?
Hayley can help.
Got questions about sex?
Hayley’s got you covered.
I’m a woman in my forties and I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. I was confused about so many things and I was so afraid to ask an adult. If I had Hayley in my corner, I sure wouldn’t have made so many mistakes.
The order of cat was my favorite and I’m determined to unleash my inner lioness.
A note for adults: Have a teenage girl in your life? Get her this book! It’s brilliantly-written and an excellent resource for young women. Hayley is a former teacher and she strives to reach teens with the truth about all things physical/emotional but in a fun interactive way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for giving me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite Quote:
“Being a girl is something worth celebrating. It means you’re young and exciting and packed with possibilities.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
Ever wish you could get the truth about something without having to ask adults? Do you have questions swirling around your head and keeping you up nights?
This book is your guidebook to life, boys, sex, health, who you are and what’s going on. Consider it the ultimate hack on life.
Have questions about boys?
Hayley’s got answers and she tells you the truth.
Wonder about whether you’re a boy or a girl (gender identity)?
Hayley can help.
Got questions about sex?
Hayley’s got you covered.
I’m a woman in my forties and I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. I was confused about so many things and I was so afraid to ask an adult. If I had Hayley in my corner, I sure wouldn’t have made so many mistakes.
The order of cat was my favorite and I’m determined to unleash my inner lioness.
A note for adults: Have a teenage girl in your life? Get her this book! It’s brilliantly-written and an excellent resource for young women. Hayley is a former teacher and she strives to reach teens with the truth about all things physical/emotional but in a fun interactive way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for giving me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite Quote:
“Being a girl is something worth celebrating. It means you’re young and exciting and packed with possibilities.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
September 12, 2016
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
This book was one of the best books I have ever read for preteen to teen girls. It was completely informative, easy to read, humerous, open-minded, and nonjudgmental. It started off with the basics, like how your body is going to change and what is normal and what is not. She also stresses that everyone is different and there are absolutely no absolutes. She also addresses make-up, hair, crushes (both straight and gay), dating, sex, and becoming a woman. It was a great book.
There are a lot of books similar to this one out there, but this one was so reader friendly and nonjudgmental that I would recommend it to moms, aunts, big sisters, librarians, doctors, or even girls themselves to buy. A+!
This book was one of the best books I have ever read for preteen to teen girls. It was completely informative, easy to read, humerous, open-minded, and nonjudgmental. It started off with the basics, like how your body is going to change and what is normal and what is not. She also stresses that everyone is different and there are absolutely no absolutes. She also addresses make-up, hair, crushes (both straight and gay), dating, sex, and becoming a woman. It was a great book.
There are a lot of books similar to this one out there, but this one was so reader friendly and nonjudgmental that I would recommend it to moms, aunts, big sisters, librarians, doctors, or even girls themselves to buy. A+!
February 11, 2020
3.5/5
This book sums up different topics of how girls come in all sized and shapes, and how becoming a woman is not a big deal (though in some ways it is).
Aside from the fact that this was targeted to a middle grade audience, as a grown woman I wish I had read this when I was a teenager. I’ve always felt different about a lot of things and I wish I had someone to tell me that everything I was going through was pretty normal.
I’ve learned through experience all the things that are put in here, but that doesn’t mean we cannot learn from younger generations. Fortunately, the world is changing, slowly but surely, and it is important to encourage young women to go fight for their dreams, to take care of their bodies as well as their mental health, and most important of all, that they’re not alone. That all the crazy things they’re feeling are actually quite normal.
To me this was a light and entertaining reading, and I’m glad I gave it a try. If you happen to know a teenager, show this book to her, I’m sure it will help her in ways that she would be grateful for later.
This book sums up different topics of how girls come in all sized and shapes, and how becoming a woman is not a big deal (though in some ways it is).
Aside from the fact that this was targeted to a middle grade audience, as a grown woman I wish I had read this when I was a teenager. I’ve always felt different about a lot of things and I wish I had someone to tell me that everything I was going through was pretty normal.
I’ve learned through experience all the things that are put in here, but that doesn’t mean we cannot learn from younger generations. Fortunately, the world is changing, slowly but surely, and it is important to encourage young women to go fight for their dreams, to take care of their bodies as well as their mental health, and most important of all, that they’re not alone. That all the crazy things they’re feeling are actually quite normal.
To me this was a light and entertaining reading, and I’m glad I gave it a try. If you happen to know a teenager, show this book to her, I’m sure it will help her in ways that she would be grateful for later.
October 15, 2016
I received this eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion of the work.
In simple terms and a comedic voice that anyone can appreciate, Hayley Long discusses everything from gender roles and power imbalance to everyday sexism and empowerment. Not to mention peer pressure, puberty, and periods. And sex.
I was only a couple of pages in when I started laughing at this: “Male bodies are weird. I’m not being rude. I’m being factual.” Literally same. You know a book will be entertaining when a penis is described as a “peculiar apparatus”.
I also liked that there were hotline numbers and websites listed for further information/help regarding personal things.
In my opinion, the most important topics discussed were confidence and personal choices. Confidence because, let’s face it, we are all lionesses inside. I do not want to be that stray alley cat forever. Confidence really is key. And personal choices because sometimes we all forget that putting on makeup or removing our body hair should be done to please ourselves first. Not for the acceptance of others. And then we come back to the whole be-confident-in-yourself thing. It’s important, “because there are a thousand ways for being a girl”.
Where was this book when I was younger? Seriously. This should be mandatory reading material for all girls who are about to enter middle school or high school. I’d even go as far as elementary school, but we have to consider the explicit language and content being discussed. Actually, I’m pretty sure I would have totally loved this book at even 10-years-old. #GirlPower
“Oceans are wet and deserts are dry and we are girls living in a world dominated by men.”Guys, do not be scared. This is a boy-friendly book (kind of). I mean, you probably won’t care for the detailed explanation of a menstrual cycle, but this is in no way a “man-hating” book. It’s a book for people. And more importantly, it’s a guide for young girls to realize that just like everyone else, you are different but will face many, if not all of the same challenges.
In simple terms and a comedic voice that anyone can appreciate, Hayley Long discusses everything from gender roles and power imbalance to everyday sexism and empowerment. Not to mention peer pressure, puberty, and periods. And sex.
I was only a couple of pages in when I started laughing at this: “Male bodies are weird. I’m not being rude. I’m being factual.” Literally same. You know a book will be entertaining when a penis is described as a “peculiar apparatus”.
I also liked that there were hotline numbers and websites listed for further information/help regarding personal things.
In my opinion, the most important topics discussed were confidence and personal choices. Confidence because, let’s face it, we are all lionesses inside. I do not want to be that stray alley cat forever. Confidence really is key. And personal choices because sometimes we all forget that putting on makeup or removing our body hair should be done to please ourselves first. Not for the acceptance of others. And then we come back to the whole be-confident-in-yourself thing. It’s important, “because there are a thousand ways for being a girl”.
Where was this book when I was younger? Seriously. This should be mandatory reading material for all girls who are about to enter middle school or high school. I’d even go as far as elementary school, but we have to consider the explicit language and content being discussed. Actually, I’m pretty sure I would have totally loved this book at even 10-years-old. #GirlPower
April 21, 2015
"this book was crying out to be owned by you"
And read it I did.
Gosh I loved this book.
It was hilarious and I wish I'd have read this when I was younger.
Instead I worked through things on my own without a guide.
Recommended if you need a good laugh, or have a good sense of humour.
But be warned: contains peroids and faffing with your foof.
Hayley is awesome. So read this book now!
And read it I did.
Gosh I loved this book.
It was hilarious and I wish I'd have read this when I was younger.
Instead I worked through things on my own without a guide.
Recommended if you need a good laugh, or have a good sense of humour.
But be warned: contains peroids and faffing with your foof.
Hayley is awesome. So read this book now!
July 24, 2015
Being a Girl is a great book for teens who feel their PSHE is lacking in certain areas or just want an honest opinion on whether it’s OK not to shave. It preaches kindness and anti-douchebaggery whilst being amusing and informative on the subject of being a teenage girl.
It covers all the key areas of concern and potentially embarrassing questions of adolescence for girls; periods, boobs and bras, hair (both the kind you want and the kind you’d rather get rid of), spots, clothes, crushes, safe sex, bullying and most importantly having the confidence to be yourself.
It doesn’t shy away from the fact that teenage girls can be pretty mean to one another and peer pressure is a real thing that will have to be dealt with at some point. There’s a great section inspired by one of Hayley’s focus group who responded that girls were bitches, where she goes on to say how girls are much more like cats than dogs. Then there’s all the different types of cats you can be, complete with Gemma Correll’s illustrations of said cats.
Whilst there’s an element of entertainment value for any age, I think it’s most valuable to pre-teens and younger teens. When it comes to sex, drugs and alcohol, it’s about setting a good example. It doesn’t go into much detail about to do if things go wrong. There’s a tiny bit on the morning after pill and abortion, but nothing on sexual abuse or rape. It stops at telling girls if he pushes the subject, then he’s not worth dating. Good advice, but for older teens seeking guidance, it might come across as a bit I told you so.
I really wanted to be able to recommend this book to single fathers but there are occasions when instead of giving information, Hayley just says “ask your mum”. That’s not helpful to girls who are referring to this book because they don’t have a trusted older female in their life. Would it be so hard to have a little section about buying the right painkillers for your period pain rather than referring to mothers? Or is OTC medicine a taboo subject?
However it would be an excellent book to hand over to your daughter after having The Talk. There’s definitely things in there that would have cleared up some questions for me when I was that age. Of course, it’s good to encourage open discussion, but we all know it doesn’t usually happen that way.
Review copy provided by publsiher.
It covers all the key areas of concern and potentially embarrassing questions of adolescence for girls; periods, boobs and bras, hair (both the kind you want and the kind you’d rather get rid of), spots, clothes, crushes, safe sex, bullying and most importantly having the confidence to be yourself.
It doesn’t shy away from the fact that teenage girls can be pretty mean to one another and peer pressure is a real thing that will have to be dealt with at some point. There’s a great section inspired by one of Hayley’s focus group who responded that girls were bitches, where she goes on to say how girls are much more like cats than dogs. Then there’s all the different types of cats you can be, complete with Gemma Correll’s illustrations of said cats.
Whilst there’s an element of entertainment value for any age, I think it’s most valuable to pre-teens and younger teens. When it comes to sex, drugs and alcohol, it’s about setting a good example. It doesn’t go into much detail about to do if things go wrong. There’s a tiny bit on the morning after pill and abortion, but nothing on sexual abuse or rape. It stops at telling girls if he pushes the subject, then he’s not worth dating. Good advice, but for older teens seeking guidance, it might come across as a bit I told you so.
I really wanted to be able to recommend this book to single fathers but there are occasions when instead of giving information, Hayley just says “ask your mum”. That’s not helpful to girls who are referring to this book because they don’t have a trusted older female in their life. Would it be so hard to have a little section about buying the right painkillers for your period pain rather than referring to mothers? Or is OTC medicine a taboo subject?
However it would be an excellent book to hand over to your daughter after having The Talk. There’s definitely things in there that would have cleared up some questions for me when I was that age. Of course, it’s good to encourage open discussion, but we all know it doesn’t usually happen that way.
Review copy provided by publsiher.
October 1, 2016
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion in any way*
This is such a light-hearted, yet deeply informative guidance book for younger girls (pre-teens/early teens I would say) on everything you would possibly need to know about growing up as a girl. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING - periods, sex, crushes, friendships, sexuality, appearance, hygiene, pressures, media - you name it! The layout is easy to follow and there's even a few quizzes thrown in there! The book is so relevant and includes information on being transgender and different sexualities, as well as simply giving advice and not pressuring teens to do something they aren't comfortable with (e.g. giving information on how to shave but saying that it's not something that teen girls HAVE to do if they don't want - the choice is up to them!). I couldn't help but laugh at some of the comments that Hayley made and I think that is why this is such a perfect book - it doesn't feel daunting to read. The illustrations by Gemma Correll are also very funny and add wonderfully to this amazing book!
A book I wish I had when I was younger - this would have been super useful, especially compared to the 1990s growing up book I was given!
~Marie
This is such a light-hearted, yet deeply informative guidance book for younger girls (pre-teens/early teens I would say) on everything you would possibly need to know about growing up as a girl. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING - periods, sex, crushes, friendships, sexuality, appearance, hygiene, pressures, media - you name it! The layout is easy to follow and there's even a few quizzes thrown in there! The book is so relevant and includes information on being transgender and different sexualities, as well as simply giving advice and not pressuring teens to do something they aren't comfortable with (e.g. giving information on how to shave but saying that it's not something that teen girls HAVE to do if they don't want - the choice is up to them!). I couldn't help but laugh at some of the comments that Hayley made and I think that is why this is such a perfect book - it doesn't feel daunting to read. The illustrations by Gemma Correll are also very funny and add wonderfully to this amazing book!
A book I wish I had when I was younger - this would have been super useful, especially compared to the 1990s growing up book I was given!
~Marie
July 10, 2015
Thank you Hayley Long! What I need now is a time-machine to take this back a *cough* few years and hand it to my teenage self. Ok so maybe the hair care & make-up section would still be completely lost on me but there is a lot in this book – and as Hayley points out at the beginning there are all type of girls and we’re all brilliant in our own way. :)
Plus it’s funny! So funny. If there is an audiobook Hayley needs to read it.
I liked what Being A Girl set out to do. It’s informative, funny (I know I keep saying it but it’s SO true) and inspirational. The Herstory chapter is excellent and Hayley Long doesn’t pretend like everything is just going to work out. Because guess what, it’s not. Reality isn’t like that, below is my favourite part of Being A Girl:
Plus it’s funny! So funny. If there is an audiobook Hayley needs to read it.
I liked what Being A Girl set out to do. It’s informative, funny (I know I keep saying it but it’s SO true) and inspirational. The Herstory chapter is excellent and Hayley Long doesn’t pretend like everything is just going to work out. Because guess what, it’s not. Reality isn’t like that, below is my favourite part of Being A Girl:
June 25, 2016
This is a book where Hayley Long's wicked sense of humour really gets to shine through. This book had me in stitches the whole time I was reading it, which is quite embarrassing when you're reading a book on a packed train. This is a book that I feel every young girl should read, and I wish it had been here when I was younger.
This book is not only funny, it's incredibly informative too and a read I think every young girl needs to read. It has chapters on sex, periods, hair and so much more, everything you could need from the book is in there. My favourite chapter was probably Herstory, where Long looks at the amazing women throughout history - I learnt quite a bit myself whilst reading that one. I think this is a book that every girl should read, and every boy too, because they can learn a lot from it. It's a book that should definitely be on the shelves of the school libraries, and readily made available to anyone who needs it.
This book is not only funny, it's incredibly informative too and a read I think every young girl needs to read. It has chapters on sex, periods, hair and so much more, everything you could need from the book is in there. My favourite chapter was probably Herstory, where Long looks at the amazing women throughout history - I learnt quite a bit myself whilst reading that one. I think this is a book that every girl should read, and every boy too, because they can learn a lot from it. It's a book that should definitely be on the shelves of the school libraries, and readily made available to anyone who needs it.
July 23, 2024
This is not what I expected, and that’s on me. I had assumed that this was more of a graphic novel, oops it’s one of those teen ‘guides’. It’s not entirely awful, good job encouraging teen girls to be confident and to avoid pit falls. However, it’s missing A LOT....great job talking about tampons, but there are other options besides just pads and tampons, and didn’t mention toxic shock syndrome, just that it was good to change frequently.
Didn’t love the tone or the talk about cavemen. Not something I’d give to a little sister or cousin, at least not on its own.
Didn’t love the tone or the talk about cavemen. Not something I’d give to a little sister or cousin, at least not on its own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2017
I wish I had had this book when I was 13. 13 years later this was more of a fun read, and there were things I laughed at because I remembered how I felt about them as a teen. I would recommend this to any girl just reaching their teen years as it is a fun yet very informative book about teen life. It even deals with quite heavy matters in a good and non-judgmental way. Well written and even fun for us that have survived our teen years.
July 12, 2017
It was a good book for teenagers. The illustrations were funny and caught the eye. Although I would've preferred a more informative book (rather than a moralizing book), I'm sure it would do the trick for teenagers. It's a great start.
September 9, 2019
Focused on sharing information, I was lost every now and again by the graphics or illustrations sharing BIG IDEAS while talking about everything that it means to be a girl from sex to periods and finding voice and power. Engaging as a whole or in pieces.
July 30, 2016
Overall it was a pretty sweet book, not overly condescending and it had a lot of really good and important information that I think young girls should have. It made real attempts to be inclusive as far as sexuality and gender go, but didn’t do quite enough in my opinion. It definitely focused on cis gender and heterosexual as the norm, but at least acknowledged that that isn’t for everyone and did have a general message of, be whoever you are, there’s plenty of room in the world for all of us.
The chapter on sex was actually mostly sweet and I thought well-handled, though her information on the morning after pill is outdated, at least in Florida, by this time (though I had an ARC). It doesn’t require a medical visit or prescription for anyone over 15. I think the information was smart but I don’t want it to be a scare tactic to girls who need the morning after pill. I actually really loved the little safe sex game/riddle break in the chapter, I don’t know if that makes me really lame but it was a fun way to make your mind start working while also thinking about the possible consequences of unsafe sex.
I’ve never read a book geared toward teen girls that talked about sexism or called gender inequality by name rather than just base examples of it, so that was impressive. I loved the chapter on becoming a woman, about struggle being a part of life, and working hard on the “training ground” of adolescence to put effort into the person you someday want to be!
The text and the style of writing and formatting made it a quick and easy to read and digest. There could be some improvements, but it was a solid book and I’d consider buying it for some younger (maybe 10-13) girls in my life.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
The chapter on sex was actually mostly sweet and I thought well-handled, though her information on the morning after pill is outdated, at least in Florida, by this time (though I had an ARC). It doesn’t require a medical visit or prescription for anyone over 15. I think the information was smart but I don’t want it to be a scare tactic to girls who need the morning after pill. I actually really loved the little safe sex game/riddle break in the chapter, I don’t know if that makes me really lame but it was a fun way to make your mind start working while also thinking about the possible consequences of unsafe sex.
I’ve never read a book geared toward teen girls that talked about sexism or called gender inequality by name rather than just base examples of it, so that was impressive. I loved the chapter on becoming a woman, about struggle being a part of life, and working hard on the “training ground” of adolescence to put effort into the person you someday want to be!
The text and the style of writing and formatting made it a quick and easy to read and digest. There could be some improvements, but it was a solid book and I’d consider buying it for some younger (maybe 10-13) girls in my life.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
January 1, 2017
Teenage girls, listen up: This book is just for you (and not adults)!
Ever wish you could get the truth about something without having to ask adults? Do you have questions swirling around your head and keeping you up nights?
This book is your guidebook to life, boys, sex, health, who you are and what’s going on. Consider it the ultimate hack on life.
Have questions about gender identity?
Hayley’s got answers and she tells you the truth.
Wonder about whether you’re a boy or a girl (gender identity)?
Hayley can help.
Got questions about sex?
Hayley’s got you covered.
I’m a woman in my forties and I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. I was confused about so many things and I was so afraid to ask an adult. If I had Hayley in my corner, I sure wouldn’t have made so many mistakes.
The order of cat was my favorite and I’m determined to unleash my inner lioness.
A note to the adults: Have a teenage girl in your life? Get her this book! It’s brilliantly-written and an excellent resource for young women. Hayley is a former teacher and she strives to reach teens with the truth about all things physical/emotional but in a fun interactive way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for giving me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite Quote:
“Being a girl is something worth celebrating. It means you’re young and exciting and packed with possibilities.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress....
Ever wish you could get the truth about something without having to ask adults? Do you have questions swirling around your head and keeping you up nights?
This book is your guidebook to life, boys, sex, health, who you are and what’s going on. Consider it the ultimate hack on life.
Have questions about gender identity?
Hayley’s got answers and she tells you the truth.
Wonder about whether you’re a boy or a girl (gender identity)?
Hayley can help.
Got questions about sex?
Hayley’s got you covered.
I’m a woman in my forties and I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. I was confused about so many things and I was so afraid to ask an adult. If I had Hayley in my corner, I sure wouldn’t have made so many mistakes.
The order of cat was my favorite and I’m determined to unleash my inner lioness.
A note to the adults: Have a teenage girl in your life? Get her this book! It’s brilliantly-written and an excellent resource for young women. Hayley is a former teacher and she strives to reach teens with the truth about all things physical/emotional but in a fun interactive way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for giving me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite Quote:
“Being a girl is something worth celebrating. It means you’re young and exciting and packed with possibilities.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress....
October 27, 2016
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for a fair review.
I have to admit that this book says things that I'd never want to tell my daughter. No, silly not the sex and puberty things! Things like "it's a man's world and you better prepare yourself for that reality." Things like a girl has to be careful and to not create the wrong kind of reputation. Things like how to identify early signs of bullying or abusive relationships. All things that we want to spare our daughters from ever having to deal with. But... these things are real. We can see just how real when we look no farther than our current 2016 election cycle in the USA to see grabby men and women being accused of being fascinated by sex because they feel a sharp focus on the sexist and misogynistic way women and girls are treated is both merited and newsworthy. Sigh.
With all that said, this book has a lot of great and pragmatic advice for tween and younger teen girls. About life, about puberty, about their body being theirs. Advice about hygiene and about friends and boys and being straight or lesbian or unsure or embarrassed not to even know how to express some of their feelings about who they are. Hayley Long handles these subjects with panache. We can only hope that our daughters will read this book if it's given them. The graphic illustrations may appeal to girls who like comics and graphic novels. And a lot of this book is simply riotously funny. It's certainly a book I would have devoured at age thirteen.
I have to admit that this book says things that I'd never want to tell my daughter. No, silly not the sex and puberty things! Things like "it's a man's world and you better prepare yourself for that reality." Things like a girl has to be careful and to not create the wrong kind of reputation. Things like how to identify early signs of bullying or abusive relationships. All things that we want to spare our daughters from ever having to deal with. But... these things are real. We can see just how real when we look no farther than our current 2016 election cycle in the USA to see grabby men and women being accused of being fascinated by sex because they feel a sharp focus on the sexist and misogynistic way women and girls are treated is both merited and newsworthy. Sigh.
With all that said, this book has a lot of great and pragmatic advice for tween and younger teen girls. About life, about puberty, about their body being theirs. Advice about hygiene and about friends and boys and being straight or lesbian or unsure or embarrassed not to even know how to express some of their feelings about who they are. Hayley Long handles these subjects with panache. We can only hope that our daughters will read this book if it's given them. The graphic illustrations may appeal to girls who like comics and graphic novels. And a lot of this book is simply riotously funny. It's certainly a book I would have devoured at age thirteen.
October 31, 2015
So funny. Brilliantly informative. Should be in every school library.
When being a boy came out I thought it was awesome but lamented the lack of a being a girl equivalent. I was therefore so pleased to find out that this book was in the process of being written.
Being a girl is funny, informative and perfect for the intended target audience. It goes through a variety of need to know information that teen girls need to know especially when they live in a world where a huge variety of misinformation can be gained readily on the internet and when girls are so pressurised to follow certain stereotypes.
Buy one for the teenage girl in your life as soon as possible.
When being a boy came out I thought it was awesome but lamented the lack of a being a girl equivalent. I was therefore so pleased to find out that this book was in the process of being written.
Being a girl is funny, informative and perfect for the intended target audience. It goes through a variety of need to know information that teen girls need to know especially when they live in a world where a huge variety of misinformation can be gained readily on the internet and when girls are so pressurised to follow certain stereotypes.
Buy one for the teenage girl in your life as soon as possible.
January 10, 2019
From the title, the target audience may seem to be middle or high school girls. But it is equally enjoyable for other age groups. It takes you down the memory lane and makes you remember all the things you went through in your teenage years.
I think it would help the girls a lot who want know about everything that’s happening to them. The body, fashion, need to be SOMEBODY, hormones, love, boy stuff, sex. The book covers it all.
I have got only one thing to say about the book: It's fun.
**I received my copy via NetGalley.
I think it would help the girls a lot who want know about everything that’s happening to them. The body, fashion, need to be SOMEBODY, hormones, love, boy stuff, sex. The book covers it all.
I have got only one thing to say about the book: It's fun.
**I received my copy via NetGalley.
October 17, 2016
this was a nice little read. definitely more fitting for younger audiences. loved the humour and little drawings! herstory was by far my favourite thing about this book!
recommended read for your younger sisters, nieces, cousins, daughters of friends, etc!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2016/1...
recommended read for your younger sisters, nieces, cousins, daughters of friends, etc!
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2016/1...
December 26, 2017
Being a girl myself, I could relate to some of the concepts mentioned in the book. I didn't agree with some of the stuff. Overall it was a good, light read.
Note - I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review in any way.
Note - I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review in any way.
September 24, 2016
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review:
Being a girl can be the coolest thing ever! But it’s not always perfect, because us girls have to put up with a lot, between periods, beauty expectations, and ultimately living in a man’s world. Still, that doesn’t mean we have to go through it alone!
This was honestly such a cute read. Being a Girl is a comprehensive guide for any girl in their teens--and even older!--that covers a wide range of topics, from beauty to peer pressure to dating and more. Hayley Long's voice is full of humor and all the girl-supporting vibes as she guides the reader through all of these different aspects of girlhood, while Gemma Correll provides charming and quirky illustrations. But there’s also an inner feminist strength in this book as Hayley frequently brings up the fact that society is so often to blame for the pressures and expectations placed on us...and she reminds us that we don’t have to put up with it if we really don’t want to! (*fist pump* Yeah!) She also encourages her readers to find their inner lioness to stand up and be a good example for women--that is, being a good person, showing confidence, and being above cattiness and being mean to other women. As a feminist myself, I really appreciated this, along with the section at the beginning of this book titled “Herstory,” which goes into more detail on women’s history and the not-so-great realities of living in a man’s world: AKA: the patriarchy. Also, I loved the chapter that lists different types of girls as different types of cats. Super amusing, and we definitely need more content like this.
While overall I found this such a fun read and I really appreciate that there's a graphic novel completely dedicated to girls, a lot of this book felt very much like a typical teen magazine/self-help guide to puberty. That’s what I get for being overly excited and not reading the full description, I guess! I was hoping this would be about celebrating girlhood overall, filled with lots of female empowerment and positivity. Not that it doesn’t still include some of that! Still, it wasn’t even just that this book was heavy on the girly-girl and puberty aspect. There were moments where I felt it was a bit too squeaky clean and lecture-y. It started on the talk about peer pressure when the author started laying on the anti-drugs and alcohol talk a little too thick, listing a thousand reasons why you shouldn’t smoke and how anyone who smokes is insane and how drinking until you puke isn’t cool. I don’t personally drink or smoke either, but this still made me feel like I was back in my 7th grade health class. It’s totally fine to try to dissuade teens from drinking and smoking as much as you can, to an extent, but it should also be said that that’s sometimes just a part of peoples’ lifestyle. Is it healthy or glamorous? No. But it is what it is, and it definitely does not make you the better person by putting down others who like to have fun and go out drinking. That’s the opposite of supporting women!
I think it was pretty much after that point that my interest gradually waned as I was bombarded with more judgements, like:
Telling girls what to wear:
You’re saying I can’t wear a too-large sweater? Um, excuse me, maybe I like wearing oversized sweaters. FIGHT ME. No, but really, when did this book suddenly become the fashion police, telling girls that they can’t wear a bunch of different colors at once, or fashion mistakes they “may” come to regret later, or something so stupid as wearing a black bra under a white shirt, or no bra all together? (The last two smell a bit suspiciously of slut shaming). The whole point of feminism is to allow women the freedom to wear what they want, despite society's criticism.
Skinny = Unhealthy?
Maybe this one was just a touchy subject for me, having a crazy-fast metabolism and being told many times throughout my life that my size isn't healthy. But still, I don't think it's very positive to make instant judgements about models and assume that all of them are unhealthy, or that being skinny automatically means you're unhealthy. News flash: some girls are just naturally skinny! And yes, some of them really are as thin as many fashion models, and they're still perfectly healthy! I obviously think that there is more than one body type, but doing the ol' anti-skinny scare tactic isn't the answer either.
I can't shave my arms?!
Okay, this one kind of just bugs me, because so often there's so much false information about shaving your arms, like that you should NEVER shave there, or else your hair will NEVER grow the same way again and you'll be stuck with gross, prickly arms forever! Tell that to my own arms, which, in my opinion, are smoother than a baby's bottom. Shaving your arms is just as fine as shaving any other part of your body! Don't believe that old wive's tale about the hair growing back thicker and darker than before. It's all lies, and discouraging girls from shaving their arms isn't great, especially if they're hairier there than the average girl. Let girls shave (not shave) where they want!
Stay classy, Don't Have Hickeys?
Since when does it make a girl not "classy" if she has a hickey? For me, this is getting into dangerous territory of "slut-shaming" and "don't be likeothergirls."
* * *
For the most part, Being a Girl is a fun, lighthearted read, filled with helpful information and advice, and complemented with adorable illustrations and flow charts to help its readers navigate the waters of being a girl. And maybe with the few concerns I've mentioned I'm just overly sensitive. Maybe I'm being too much of a feminist and this book is only meant to be a gentle beginner's guide for those just entering girlhood. Still, I think it's important to be aware of these criticisms and to not take necessarily everything in this book to heart. Because while the author makes disclaimers like, Of course, you can technically do what you want there are still moments where she seems to contradict herself, and judgements are passed. For all it's worth, I think this is a pretty swell guide to girlhood, but I still think it's worth saying that there is more than one way to be a girl: whether you're a girl who likes to go out for a drink and a smoke or a girl who likes staying inside reading; whether you're a girl who likes slim sweaters and leggings or a girl who rocks it out in short skirts and crop tops. Whatever your style, whatever your grace, it's cool to be a girl, and we all gotta stick together!
Being a girl can be the coolest thing ever! But it’s not always perfect, because us girls have to put up with a lot, between periods, beauty expectations, and ultimately living in a man’s world. Still, that doesn’t mean we have to go through it alone!
This was honestly such a cute read. Being a Girl is a comprehensive guide for any girl in their teens--and even older!--that covers a wide range of topics, from beauty to peer pressure to dating and more. Hayley Long's voice is full of humor and all the girl-supporting vibes as she guides the reader through all of these different aspects of girlhood, while Gemma Correll provides charming and quirky illustrations. But there’s also an inner feminist strength in this book as Hayley frequently brings up the fact that society is so often to blame for the pressures and expectations placed on us...and she reminds us that we don’t have to put up with it if we really don’t want to! (*fist pump* Yeah!) She also encourages her readers to find their inner lioness to stand up and be a good example for women--that is, being a good person, showing confidence, and being above cattiness and being mean to other women. As a feminist myself, I really appreciated this, along with the section at the beginning of this book titled “Herstory,” which goes into more detail on women’s history and the not-so-great realities of living in a man’s world: AKA: the patriarchy. Also, I loved the chapter that lists different types of girls as different types of cats. Super amusing, and we definitely need more content like this.
While overall I found this such a fun read and I really appreciate that there's a graphic novel completely dedicated to girls, a lot of this book felt very much like a typical teen magazine/self-help guide to puberty. That’s what I get for being overly excited and not reading the full description, I guess! I was hoping this would be about celebrating girlhood overall, filled with lots of female empowerment and positivity. Not that it doesn’t still include some of that! Still, it wasn’t even just that this book was heavy on the girly-girl and puberty aspect. There were moments where I felt it was a bit too squeaky clean and lecture-y. It started on the talk about peer pressure when the author started laying on the anti-drugs and alcohol talk a little too thick, listing a thousand reasons why you shouldn’t smoke and how anyone who smokes is insane and how drinking until you puke isn’t cool. I don’t personally drink or smoke either, but this still made me feel like I was back in my 7th grade health class. It’s totally fine to try to dissuade teens from drinking and smoking as much as you can, to an extent, but it should also be said that that’s sometimes just a part of peoples’ lifestyle. Is it healthy or glamorous? No. But it is what it is, and it definitely does not make you the better person by putting down others who like to have fun and go out drinking. That’s the opposite of supporting women!
I think it was pretty much after that point that my interest gradually waned as I was bombarded with more judgements, like:
Telling girls what to wear:
You’re saying I can’t wear a too-large sweater? Um, excuse me, maybe I like wearing oversized sweaters. FIGHT ME. No, but really, when did this book suddenly become the fashion police, telling girls that they can’t wear a bunch of different colors at once, or fashion mistakes they “may” come to regret later, or something so stupid as wearing a black bra under a white shirt, or no bra all together? (The last two smell a bit suspiciously of slut shaming). The whole point of feminism is to allow women the freedom to wear what they want, despite society's criticism.
Skinny = Unhealthy?
Maybe this one was just a touchy subject for me, having a crazy-fast metabolism and being told many times throughout my life that my size isn't healthy. But still, I don't think it's very positive to make instant judgements about models and assume that all of them are unhealthy, or that being skinny automatically means you're unhealthy. News flash: some girls are just naturally skinny! And yes, some of them really are as thin as many fashion models, and they're still perfectly healthy! I obviously think that there is more than one body type, but doing the ol' anti-skinny scare tactic isn't the answer either.
I can't shave my arms?!
Okay, this one kind of just bugs me, because so often there's so much false information about shaving your arms, like that you should NEVER shave there, or else your hair will NEVER grow the same way again and you'll be stuck with gross, prickly arms forever! Tell that to my own arms, which, in my opinion, are smoother than a baby's bottom. Shaving your arms is just as fine as shaving any other part of your body! Don't believe that old wive's tale about the hair growing back thicker and darker than before. It's all lies, and discouraging girls from shaving their arms isn't great, especially if they're hairier there than the average girl. Let girls shave (not shave) where they want!
Stay classy, Don't Have Hickeys?
Since when does it make a girl not "classy" if she has a hickey? For me, this is getting into dangerous territory of "slut-shaming" and "don't be likeothergirls."
* * *
For the most part, Being a Girl is a fun, lighthearted read, filled with helpful information and advice, and complemented with adorable illustrations and flow charts to help its readers navigate the waters of being a girl. And maybe with the few concerns I've mentioned I'm just overly sensitive. Maybe I'm being too much of a feminist and this book is only meant to be a gentle beginner's guide for those just entering girlhood. Still, I think it's important to be aware of these criticisms and to not take necessarily everything in this book to heart. Because while the author makes disclaimers like, Of course, you can technically do what you want there are still moments where she seems to contradict herself, and judgements are passed. For all it's worth, I think this is a pretty swell guide to girlhood, but I still think it's worth saying that there is more than one way to be a girl: whether you're a girl who likes to go out for a drink and a smoke or a girl who likes staying inside reading; whether you're a girl who likes slim sweaters and leggings or a girl who rocks it out in short skirts and crop tops. Whatever your style, whatever your grace, it's cool to be a girl, and we all gotta stick together!
October 26, 2017
I love this book and tone in which Ms. Long wrote it. I just wish that I had had this book when my girls were young teenagers. I think they would have liked getting advice from a book rather than good-old-mom all the time.
I can't figure out the target age for this book. In the beginning it seemed like ti was talking to Tweens. Then it mentioned 13-year-olds and later there is advice about STIs, contraceptives, and sex. I would pick the perfect target to be somewhere in Junior High.
The illustrations and use of script fonts was very appealing. I didn't need to read every word to know that this book is a winner.
I can't figure out the target age for this book. In the beginning it seemed like ti was talking to Tweens. Then it mentioned 13-year-olds and later there is advice about STIs, contraceptives, and sex. I would pick the perfect target to be somewhere in Junior High.
The illustrations and use of script fonts was very appealing. I didn't need to read every word to know that this book is a winner.
October 16, 2019
I LOVE IT!
Teen and parents (yes, dads too) who are trying to understand what their teenage girls are going through listen up!
This book is for you!
this is like a Wikipedia of girls' life. It has everything girls try to understand and sometimes they just don't know who could they ask, just give them this book. Easy to read, very well organized, open-minded and so fun! Hayley did such a great job, she even put a game at the end of the book.
This informative book has got answers to your questions and I think you should read it!
Teen and parents (yes, dads too) who are trying to understand what their teenage girls are going through listen up!
This book is for you!
this is like a Wikipedia of girls' life. It has everything girls try to understand and sometimes they just don't know who could they ask, just give them this book. Easy to read, very well organized, open-minded and so fun! Hayley did such a great job, she even put a game at the end of the book.
This informative book has got answers to your questions and I think you should read it!
January 19, 2026
i didn’t rate this 5 stars because it’s the read of the century or something like that, i rated it 5 stars because this is one of those books every teenage girl needs to read, every teenage girl needs to sit down and be absorbed into hayley long’s world of advice and voice of motherly honesty. us teenage girls are not born encyclopaedias of the world and everything in it - but this is almost a quick survival guide to being a teen girl, and talks about all the most important worries or stresses that a 12-16 year old may feel.
VERY important to me.
VERY important to me.
January 31, 2018
Like many reviewers have said, I wish this book was around when I was a teenager.
It's funny, true, engaging, full of useful information and interesting facts. And it doesn't sugar coat. Real issues and life decisions are discussed here. And Hayley Long knows just how to walk you through these issues and decisions. Well done.
It's funny, true, engaging, full of useful information and interesting facts. And it doesn't sugar coat. Real issues and life decisions are discussed here. And Hayley Long knows just how to walk you through these issues and decisions. Well done.
December 21, 2019
4 stars.
This a wonderful book for young women. It's not perfect, but I think it's better than a lot of stuff out there and I would recommend it to the young women in my life. I think there's lots of good kernels in here, and a few that I don't think are necessary. I think I'll be pondering what I would tell young women in something like this for awhile yet.
This a wonderful book for young women. It's not perfect, but I think it's better than a lot of stuff out there and I would recommend it to the young women in my life. I think there's lots of good kernels in here, and a few that I don't think are necessary. I think I'll be pondering what I would tell young women in something like this for awhile yet.
April 2, 2024
Did not finish, even though the updated cover is less cringy than the graphic above. Checking out the local library YA section. I don't generally like describing things as trash, but I do think that this probably doesn't belong on the YA library shelves. Very problematic from the very first page. Sexist drivel pretending to be enlightened, hip, and authoritative.
June 12, 2025
Het was een super grappig boek, waar de schrijven wel eens wat vloekwoorden gebruikte. Normaal gezien zou ik het een 4 geven maar er was een ding dat de kans daarop heeft verkeken. Namenlijk dat de info niet altijd correct was, waardoor ik telkens ging gaan twijfelen of dat ik de informatie die ik telkens kreeg wel kon vertrouwen wat ik heel jammer vind.
August 30, 2018
Tuto knížku by si měla přečíst každá žena jakéhokoli věku. Knížka nás stručně a bez žádných složitých názvů zavede do témat, na které se někdy ptala sama sebe asi nejspíš každá z nás. Určitě doporučuji, kniha je brána snadnou a milou formou, takže je vhodná i pro mladší čtenářky.
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