What do you think?
Rate this book
Becoming You for Girls: Everything You Wanted to Know About Growing Up!
This biblically-based guide is designed to help girls ages 8–12 navigate the physical, emotional, and spiritual changes of growing up.
Becoming You for Girls is a Christ‑centered guidebook designed to help preteen girls understand, navigate, and grow through puberty—physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Written in an accessible, warm, and encouraging tone, the book explains biological changes, emotional development, friendships, identity, safety, wisdom, technology, and faith, all while grounding each topic in biblical truth.
Counselor Darby A. Strickland offers a trustworthy, gospel-shaped vision of growing up that goes beyond body changes to help children grow in wisdom, love, and godliness. Awkward or sensitive topics are handled with gentleness, dignity, and appropriate humor, helping girls feel safe, curious, and confident rather than embarrassed or afraid.
Encourages girls to embrace their identity in Christ, so they can learn not just what is happening but why God made them this way.
Can be read independently or with parents and is a valuable tool to foster communication about important topics like personal safety and body image.
Includes an appendix for parents with conversation starters for talking to your daughter about her changing body and emotions and tips for when questions become uncomfortable.
Becoming You for Girls is a Christ‑centered guidebook designed to help preteen girls understand, navigate, and grow through puberty—physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Written in an accessible, warm, and encouraging tone, the book explains biological changes, emotional development, friendships, identity, safety, wisdom, technology, and faith, all while grounding each topic in biblical truth.
Counselor Darby A. Strickland offers a trustworthy, gospel-shaped vision of growing up that goes beyond body changes to help children grow in wisdom, love, and godliness. Awkward or sensitive topics are handled with gentleness, dignity, and appropriate humor, helping girls feel safe, curious, and confident rather than embarrassed or afraid.
Encourages girls to embrace their identity in Christ, so they can learn not just what is happening but why God made them this way.
Can be read independently or with parents and is a valuable tool to foster communication about important topics like personal safety and body image.
Includes an appendix for parents with conversation starters for talking to your daughter about her changing body and emotions and tips for when questions become uncomfortable.
104 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 26, 2026
Loved this book and the heart behind it! It's a great opportunity for conversations with your daughters. I originally picked this one up because it was billed online as a replacement for "The Care and Keeping of You" (the original book that American Girl put out) but I have read the ORIGINAL Care and Keeping of You (I wouldn't trust the Version 2 that is more modern) and I honestly liked the more practical tips given in The Care and Keeping of You more than this book. This book has a different focus. It's focus is on the girls identity in Christ...I believe that BOTH books have a place in conversations with Christian mommas and their daughters...one is more practical and one is more for the spiritual part of the girl. Definitely will be reccomending this one to friends with daughters going through/about to hit the teenage years!
November 3, 2026
Good for early puberty (maybe 10-11?)
Doesn’t mention sex other than special sharing of bodies. Speaks of marriage as a given.
Doesn’t mention sex other than special sharing of bodies. Speaks of marriage as a given.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ADVANCE READER COPY
This book is a blessing to the Church and to the young girls growing up in Christian homes.
I was eager to preview this book because I’m a father of three girls. Honestly, I wasn’t fully aware of the spiritual, biological, and mental changes taking place in females during adolescence. This book gives me confidence to have conversations with my daughters at the appropriate times.
The biggest praise I can give this book is its Scripture incorporation. I loved how much of the Bible appears throughout its pages. When the author counsels girls on how to act or why changes happen, she shows what the Bible says about it. Girls and parents will both be encouraged to see how much Scripture and gospel truth run through the entire book.
I also enjoyed the graphics and design. The images never felt distracting. They support the message on each page and seem genuinely helpful for girls trying to understand the concepts. The visual aspect of the book complements the content very well.
Puberty affects every aspect of our lives: physically, socially, emotionally, and even spiritually. This book covers it all. I was pleased with the breadth and depth of coverage across each of these areas of a girl’s life. It’s even up to date on modern issues like social media and its influence. There’s plenty here to talk about and dive into.
Lastly, I’m grateful for how accessible the content is. It’s simple enough for a girl beginning this transformative stage of life to read on her own, yet substantial enough to help parents navigate these important conversations. A “tweenager” can easily read this resource alone or alongside her mother or father.
This is a must-read for parents of young girls, and for the girls themselves. It will give girls confidence in knowing that God is in control of the world, especially the bodies He made for them, and that He’s with them every step of the way.
This book is a blessing to the Church and to the young girls growing up in Christian homes.
I was eager to preview this book because I’m a father of three girls. Honestly, I wasn’t fully aware of the spiritual, biological, and mental changes taking place in females during adolescence. This book gives me confidence to have conversations with my daughters at the appropriate times.
The biggest praise I can give this book is its Scripture incorporation. I loved how much of the Bible appears throughout its pages. When the author counsels girls on how to act or why changes happen, she shows what the Bible says about it. Girls and parents will both be encouraged to see how much Scripture and gospel truth run through the entire book.
I also enjoyed the graphics and design. The images never felt distracting. They support the message on each page and seem genuinely helpful for girls trying to understand the concepts. The visual aspect of the book complements the content very well.
Puberty affects every aspect of our lives: physically, socially, emotionally, and even spiritually. This book covers it all. I was pleased with the breadth and depth of coverage across each of these areas of a girl’s life. It’s even up to date on modern issues like social media and its influence. There’s plenty here to talk about and dive into.
Lastly, I’m grateful for how accessible the content is. It’s simple enough for a girl beginning this transformative stage of life to read on her own, yet substantial enough to help parents navigate these important conversations. A “tweenager” can easily read this resource alone or alongside her mother or father.
This is a must-read for parents of young girls, and for the girls themselves. It will give girls confidence in knowing that God is in control of the world, especially the bodies He made for them, and that He’s with them every step of the way.
September 8, 2026
Wow, I loved this book! As a mother to an 8 year-old daughter, I've been on the lookout for a more recent puberty book than the American Girl one I grew up with. This one was so theologically rich--chock-full of scripture and encouragement that all your changes are part of God's good design. He's not surprised or embarrassed by any part of your body. I appreciated the different sections on physical changes, emotional changes, what makes a healthy friendship, and internet safety. I'm so glad to have this waiting in the wings for when my daughter starts this season!
October 17, 2026
This is a short, engaging read helpful for girls and caregivers alike. I appreciated the wide variety of topics covered with clarity and simplicity all rooted in the Word and a God-centered view of the body. The topics covered are varied and the abuse prevention topics are direct and clear. I loved the focus on covering all aspects of growth, not just physical, especially friendships, communication and technology. And the scripture references are plentiful and helpful!
I was disappointed that while there is a lot about avoiding body comparison and lots of instruction that God made bodies differently, there isn’t anything addressing physical size. I would love to have seen a paragraph about how girls are made with different body sizes/weight and that’s all part of God’s design. There is info about movement and sleep but nothing addressing nutrition and stress management—key parts in developing a healthy body image and care.
The illustrations are so engaging and support the topics so well.
“You don’t have to love every part of puberty to know you are loved through all of it.”
Abuse prevention:
“You deserve to feel safe because God made you with love, and he listens when you speak up. Your voice is strong, and your story matters.”
Respect & Personal Space
Comparing the body to a house. “You get to decide who is welcome, where they can go, and what kind of behavior is loud. God-designed limits to protect you, not limit you. Learning to politely say ‘no’ is an important part of taking care of yourself and others.“
“Speaking up doesn’t make you mean; it shows that you are being wise and brave, just like God calls you to be (Ephesians 5:11).”
“Beauty isn’t about looking like someone else. It’s about reflecting the goodness of God in your words, your actions, and your kindness.“
I was disappointed that while there is a lot about avoiding body comparison and lots of instruction that God made bodies differently, there isn’t anything addressing physical size. I would love to have seen a paragraph about how girls are made with different body sizes/weight and that’s all part of God’s design. There is info about movement and sleep but nothing addressing nutrition and stress management—key parts in developing a healthy body image and care.
The illustrations are so engaging and support the topics so well.
“You don’t have to love every part of puberty to know you are loved through all of it.”
Abuse prevention:
“You deserve to feel safe because God made you with love, and he listens when you speak up. Your voice is strong, and your story matters.”
Respect & Personal Space
Comparing the body to a house. “You get to decide who is welcome, where they can go, and what kind of behavior is loud. God-designed limits to protect you, not limit you. Learning to politely say ‘no’ is an important part of taking care of yourself and others.“
“Speaking up doesn’t make you mean; it shows that you are being wise and brave, just like God calls you to be (Ephesians 5:11).”
“Beauty isn’t about looking like someone else. It’s about reflecting the goodness of God in your words, your actions, and your kindness.“
August 28, 2026
(Advance Reader Copy)
Becoming You is a helpful resource for parents preparing their daughters for puberty. It explains the physical changes in a simple, approachable way while also addressing emotions, friendships, boundaries, body care, and growing in wisdom.
I especially appreciated its biblical perspective and the way it helps girls see their changing bodies as part of God’s beautiful design.
A simple, practical book to read together and use as a starting point for meaningful conversations.
Becoming You is a helpful resource for parents preparing their daughters for puberty. It explains the physical changes in a simple, approachable way while also addressing emotions, friendships, boundaries, body care, and growing in wisdom.
I especially appreciated its biblical perspective and the way it helps girls see their changing bodies as part of God’s beautiful design.
A simple, practical book to read together and use as a starting point for meaningful conversations.
Read
September 29, 2026Fantastic! This is the book every 10-12 year old girl needs to read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews