10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know

October 15, 2014
Expanding on the author's popular, titular blog comes this guidebook for teen girls.Kampakis' book begins with an arresting assertion: "There are two things no one can prepare you for. One is how fun it is to be a girl. The other is how hard it is to be a girl." The upside includes things like slumber parties with meaty talks, dancing in the kitchen, unfettered squealing with delight...but then there's the darker side: emotional wrestling with mean girls, cliques, teen sexual mores and dealing with social media debacles. While she covers a wide spectrum of teen-girl conundrums, Kampakis doesn't short shrift any, delving in deep with a firm but deftly sensitive resolve, illustrating her points with anecdotes and leavening her message with dashes of humor. She packs the pages with advice on building confidence, creating a "good reputation" (or restoring one), how to be and spot a true friend, creating healthy relationships with teen boys, and developing patience and fostering perseverance. The book reveals the author's strong religious bent, with frequent references to God, quotes from the Bible and invocations of Satan, leaving some passages sounding as if they're written by a hip Sunday school teacher. Miniquizzes and discussion questions invite readers to sort out their feelings and insecurities and home in on their aspirations. A smart and solidly written guide to life as seen through stained-glass windows. (Nonfiction. 12-16)

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December 1, 2014

Gr 7-10-Aware that adolescence can be an overwhelming time for girls, Kampakis has created a version of the 10 commandments for teens. She lays out her ultimate truths ("Kindness is more important than popularity"; "You were born to fly"), covering a different one in each chapter ("Confidence," "Reputation," "Patience," "Inner Beauty"). Written from a conservative Christian perspective, the text supplies biblical references to support each truth. Kampakis discusses why each of these topics is an important part of being a girl and how complete acceptance of God's plan is the best path to future happiness. The advice is reassuring and encouraging and the writing accessible, but the book only addresses Christian readers. The chapters on interacting with boys promote "The Rules"-like dating behavior ("If you want a boy to court you, don't make it too easy. Let him work a little..."), but it's a standard message in conservative circles. Kampakis's well-written, big sisterly advice will certainly resonate with some readers but will leave others out of the discourse entirely.-Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Grades 7-10 What began as a series of blog posts became a viral phenomenon that led to the creation of this book-length compilation of posts. Kampakis' 10 truths are targeted toward adolescent girls, and although the observations are rooted in Christianity, many of the messages will be accessible and relevant to girls of all backgrounds. Kampakis' strong, universal assertions include her beliefs that kindness is more important than popularity and that people peak at different points, and she encourages girls to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Certain chapters, especially a pair on boys and sexuality that heavily promotes an abstinence-until-marriage lifestyle, have a more overtly religious tone, and there are biblical passages sprinkled liberally through the text. The book has a journal component as well, but the questions posed in these sections will be equally useful in discussions. Kampakis does not talk down to her audience, making this a highly readable guide, and no doubt the many readers of her blog will be eagerly awaiting this release.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)