by Mary Pipher
First published 1994
Psychologist Mary Pipher takes readers inside the lives of modern adolescent girls. Across small-town America, young women face intense pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and gender roles. As they navigate the treacherous terrain of puberty and high school, many girls become withdrawn, anxious, and depressed. Pipher gives voice to their experiences, from body image issues to family conflict to sexual assault. With empathy and insight, she shows how girls can reclaim their authentic selves and find the courage to challenge a culture that is often cruel to young women.
Genres: psychology, mental-health, gender-studies, adolescence, social-issues
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: empowering-female-lead, personal-growth, social-commentary
Setting: America
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
304 pages · Hardcover · Putnam Adult
Content warnings: abuse, sexual-assault