Girls Against Girls

May 1, 2009
Gr 6-10-Burton's accessible text is a guide for girls who are caught up in the malicious gossiping, jealousy, and social shunning that affect so many adolescents. The author neatly outlines the issues and provides common-sense approaches to breaking the cycle of meanness, envy, and passive-aggressive behaviors, and she addresses both the victims and the mean girls themselves. The balance of narrative, white space, and illustration makes this self-help tool easy to comprehend. The well-researched text is punctuated with quotes from female artists and athletes and also includes a good resource guide to finding empowering organizations. The real challenge will be getting the book into readers' hands at the right time. Solid advice presented in an easy-to-read format."Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2009
Grades 7-10 We girls can be cruel, asserts Burton, who, with a direct tone and solid advice, puts the responsibility for change directly on the shoulders of girls themselves, asking them to look closely at their own behavior. Divided into six succinct chapters, the book begins by examining theories of why girls act the way they do, various types of common cruel behaviors, and excellent coping techniques. Later sections provide resources for addressing more serious problems and offer concrete suggestions for how to stop the cycle of female cruelty. Burton never talks down to her readers, nor does she pull her punches. Readers will respond to the authors clear respect for the painful nature of the problem, while breezy language, such as the sections entitled Why It Sucks will draw girls into the practical advice. Quotes from female celebrities scattered throughout reinforce the central idea that girls need to change the mean-girl culture. A great addition for teen collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)