Soul Searching: A Girl's Guide To Finding Herself

by Sarah Stillman

In a girl-to-girl look at the big picture, the teenage author offers sound advice for discovering what is really important in life, covering topics such as managing stress, finding inner peace, exploring dreams, and cultivating a meaningful life. Original. BOMC.

Genres: Spirituality, Young Adult, Self Help

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

An inspiring example of what a self-confident teen can achieve, Sarah Stillman graduated from Yale with simultaneous Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Anthropology before pursuing her PhD at Oxford.

Active in the international global justice movement, she has worked with migrant factory workers in southern China, refugees in rural Guatemala, and HIV/AIDS patients in Thailand.

In 2008, she was embedded with the 116th Military Police Company in Iraq as a foreign correspondent for Truthdig, following which New York University named her the inaugural recipient of The Reporting Award. Stillman’s work has been featured in The New Yorker and on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Reviews

[Written Melodies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won a signed copy from publisher.

For complete review go to http://whatstheword-saywhaaat.blogspo....

Originally published in 2000 by the author at age sixteen, Soul Searching provides young girls ways to stave off self-destructive behaviors through self-discovery. Author Sarah Stillman began her soul searching journey at the tender age of sixteen. The book begins and ends explaining soul searching is a never ending journey. The book explores aromatherapy, personal space setting, dream interpretations, philosophy, various religions, and other areas. Each chapter ends with a list of resources for further research about that subject.

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

From dream analysis, journaling to yoga and feng shui this guide takes you on a journey to follow your dreams, increase confidence in yourself, greater creativity, better communication, peace, stress relief and self discovery. (Reviewer 8)

I also recommend this title for the list--it is very accessible and interesting.
(Reviewer 9)

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, a second edition of a book from 2000, the author (who was 16 at the time of original publication) has such simple, sensible advice focused on helping young women figure out what they want, what they value, and what they think. It feels remarkable agenda-less and has fascinating chapters on interpreting dreams, understanding the major philosophers, and the basics of the major religions.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

What in inspiring and empowering book. I'm not sixteen anymore but I'm impressed that the author that wrote the book at the time was 16. Very insightful for someone that age. Not only is this book inspiring for young girls but it also helps us older ones that have struggled to find our way. Well done and would recommend to anyone trying to find out what they are all about.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised to see a 16 year old girl wrote this sweet little guide. Sarah does a spectacular job explaining. I wish I would've had this book when I was in high school. I feel her words would've assisted me much more back than. As a grown woman I have heard most everything inside the pages, however I enjoyed the book anyways. Every teenage girl could benefit from her knowledge gathered.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by a 16 year old more than ten years ago and reflects a considerable amount of study and research and a lot of ambition; whihc resulted in a very readable and credible book that is of timeless value for adults and men as well as teenage girls.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was first written by Stillman at the age of sixteen (2000). She has updated this version by also looking at the effects of new technology on teenage lives. Soul Searching encourages teen girls to look within themselves and find their own inner spirit and not to let modern media define who they should be. It addresses many tools such as journaling, yoga and exercise, healthy diet, relaxation and meditation, spirituality that can be used to make the teenage years more tolerable. She stresses that body image should not be defined by society and cultivating your passions should come from looking at and using your own talents. The book can be an overwhelming amount of information for a teen girl to take in at one reading. It is written in a manner that chapters can be read independently and the information used as needed by the reader.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author was 16 when she wrote this guide for girls. It explores several methods for getting to know yourself and how to be true to your own values and beliefs in a commercial, material world. Looking at yoga, meditation, dream analysis, journaling, philosophy, and several other ideas, teen girls can put practical advice into place almost immediately. The author strives to be unbiased and considerate of a variety of cultural and religious beliefs. Could be a companion or an alternative to Covey's “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” but obviously written for a female audience.

[Heather Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I found interesting was that Sarah wrote this original when she was 16 and this edition has some updated sections involving sexting, interest, etc. But for a 16 yr old to write for other teens a soul searching guide, I have a difficult time grasping that she had already achieved it. However, she does state that you never are completed with the task and 10 years later she still uses the techniques mentioned in her book.

[Daleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I skimmed through this book as I found after the first few pages it would work more for my granddaughter then for me. I believe that this will work excellently for her. She is really excited. It was a goodreads book and is a book which helps teenage girls to find answers to problems they may have in finding answers.

[OCLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl talk from a teen point of view just for you!

Imagine That! (Teen Summer Reading Program 2012) recommended book

Available from OCLS in print.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some interesting ideas, but I found it to be a little immature.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got really inspired while reading this book and hope to be as wise as Sarah one day.

[Gelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How are you really doing?