Être: Girls, Who Do You Want to Be?

by Illana Raia

Être means "to be." And girls, middle school is not too young to ask yourself this all-important Who do YOU want to be? Think of this book as a smart big sister in your backpack, encouraging you to stick with what you love and helping you springboard your authentic interests into more. SO . . . WHAT IS ÊTRE? A bold, full color magazine-style collection of articles breaking down big ideas like financial confidence, mentorship, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship for today's motivated girls. Organized by topic (#BeSmart, #BeWi$e, #BeInnovative), and featuring Insta-inspired graphics, Être offers wise words to world-changing girls . . . at exactly the right time. WHO'S IN IT? Get ready for empowering quotes and interviews from luminary women alongside input from inspiring girls across the country. WHO'S IT FOR? Middle and high school girls everywhere . . . and the moms, big sisters, and cool aunts reading over their shoulders.

Genres: Nonfiction

202 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2019

About the author

Recently named one the first 250 entrepreneurs on the Forbes Next 1000 List, Illana Raia is the founder and CEO of Être - a mentorship platform for girls. Believing that mentors matter as early as middle school, Illana brings girls directly into companies they select to meet female leaders face to face.

Illana is a member of the International Space Station U.S. National Lab Education Subcommittee and serves on the National Girls’ Collaborative Champions Board. She has appeared on TV, radio and podcasts and speaks on topics including mentorship, leadership and what girls eyeing – and entering – the workforce are thinking.

Illana has also authored 60+ articles for HuffPost, Ms. Magazine, Worth and Thrive Global, and her award-winning book Être: Girls, Who Do You Want To Be, was released on Day of the Girl 2019, and her newest bestselling book, The Epic Mentor Guide, hit shelves in March 2022 and is available now.

Prior to launching Être, Illana was a corporate attorney at Skadden Arps and a guest lecturer at Columbia University. She graduated from Smith College and the University of Chicago Law School, and lives happily in NYC.

Reviews

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
It all starts with the Middle Grade girl aged 8 – 12. These girls are smart thinkers they want to know what’s happening beyond the latest Tiktok and Instagram sensation.
These girls won’t be following the latest trends they will be making them.

This book is for you!
Set out in ten different chapters, each with it’s own motivational hashtag. #BeSmart #BeInnovative #BeWi$e #BeConnected #BeStrong #BeInformed #BeCharitable #BeBrave #BeHappy #BeWellRead.

Etre is a resource and mentorship platform for girls which first started as an online resource and Illana Raia has now put all these ideas into a book that can be referred to time and time again as girls come across different challenges or feel that need for motivation in different areas during their growing years.

This book not only teaches girls to be smart outspoken and well informed but to also offer to help others by being a mentor. Be a role model to younger girls.

Filled with motivational quotes, questions and answers from women who have made a difference and interviews with girls just like the targeted reader. The Être board is made up of young women, teens and pre-teens (aged 10 – 18) who know how the pre-teen mind works.

It teaches girls not to be all out competitive but form a group, work together, study together, help each other out.

‘Build each other up, instead of tearing each other down’

This is an inspiring book for girls wondering if they are too young to make a difference.

I’m not generally into motivational books but this book has changed my opinion and I would recommend this for all girls aged 8 – 18. This is not a book to be read in one sitting but opened at the appropriate chapter for the time. An election coming up or major news event; read #BeInformed. It’s the start of the sports season; read #BeStrong.

The book concludes with a list of instagramers you really should be following, appropriate E-resources and a list of websites to dig deeper into each chapter.

I was blown away by this book. Highly recommended!
*I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that I would recommend to girls, parents, teachers and other caregivers! The principles are closely aligned with Girl Scouts, a group very close to my heart. I would recommend to older elementary ages through middle school. It's very empowering and practical information for today's girls.

Many thanks to Goodreads for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that ETRE: GIRLS, WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE? by Illana Raia is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Meika Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only there were a book like this when I was in middle school! It's packed full of all the advice and guidance I wish I would've had as young teen, trying to navigate my way through the waters of junior high and figure out where all of my hard work could go afterwards. It's written in a positive, productive way that connects with the age group effectively. So many books for girls this age can come across as a lecture or dry and boring, but Illana's language and narrative is fresh, relatable and connectable. My daughter is not quite yet middle school aged, but loves to read. I gave her this book, and it has sparked even more interest and excitement for her future teen years because it opens up the prospect of so many attainable possibilities. I remember being very shy and apprehensive to seek out adult guidance as a tween/teen... and honestly didn't know where to begin. This book (and honestly ETRE as a girl empowerment team in itself) is an excellent jumping point for girls to help start answering questions and guiding girls towards their hopes and dreams and future adventures!

[Fred Fanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book for middle school girls. The book is interesting and filled with things these girls can use to help them be whatever they want to be. The resources provided in the book can be used immediately or later as a resource guide. If you have a girl at this age this book is a must for her to read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book filled with all kinds of advice for middle and high school girls. Topics such as finances, sports, and planning for your futures are laid out in short passages with lots of inspiring photos.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway. I was attracted to the book because I write character education resources and thought it could be a good reference. I did get some ideas but not what I had hoped. That said, I thought it was an excellent book for young women (middle school). I wish I would've had it when I was young and when my kids were young.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!