Girl Talk: Staying Strong, Feeling Good, Sticking Together

by Judith Harlan, Debbie Palen (Illustrator)

A few years ago―maybe even a few months ago―you did whatever you enjoyed without even thinking about the fact that you were a GIRL. But now you might be getting the message that there are things girls can and cannot do. Don't allow yourself to get pushed to the sidelines. Life is not a spectator sport!
Girls around the country have shared their ideas with Judith Harlan about how to deal with people who make you feel like you can't or shouldn't follow your dream (or run for class president or take physics or play roller hockey). Covering the topics of friends, boys, fun, sports, fashion, school, and more, Girl Talk will inspire you to make your world a better, more fun, and more fair place. Here―finally―you get smart comebacks to annoying "You think like a girl!" ("Thank you. Study hard and you can do it, too.") And in between all the girl talk, dozens of Debbie Palen's hilarious illustrations will have you in hysterics.

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

Reviews

[Judith Harlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book to inspire adolescent (early tween) girls to be themselves and to continue exploring the world, each in her own, individual way. Since its publication in 1997, many other terrific books have joined mine on the shelves. And I hope it doesn't end here; we need a continuing stream of empowering books addressing all the pressures young girls face - those pressures that say, 'conform' and 'stop being so good at math.'

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in fourth grade, and although it's written for preteens, I have returned to it over and over again, and even used it as a launching point for a psychology presentation my senior year of High School. Full of interesting facts, inspiring quotes, and important questions for the budding feminist. Buy this book for your cousins, nieces, daughters!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in fourth grade, and although it's written for preteens, I have returned to it over and over again, and even used it as a launching point for a psychology presentation my senior year of High School. Full of interesting facts, inspiring quotes, and important questions for the budding feminist. Buy this book for your cousins, nieces, daughters!

[Lauren RM · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom gave this to me along with a bunch of coming of age and this is how to take care of your body books. When I was 8 or 9.

It's divided into sections with intros, good ideas of things to do, and lists of women who have done it before. All to remember that women do things that are worthwhile and remember to DO things. I keep it around to remind myself of that.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom found this while she was cleaning out her garage. It instantly brought a smile to my face. I remember carrying this around with me for months & months...and the journal responses took me back to my inner awkward almost teen self.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still cherish this book and in fact went and bought another copy on Amazon because I think about it so frequently that I want to make sure I have one for my future children. This introduced me to feminism as a little girl when I needed it most!