By Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer (2001)
Every parent and teacher wants to help girls be competent, confident and successful. Elizabeth Harttley-Brewer's book gives each of us ideas for how we can support our girls every day. It is full of good suggestions and common sense ways of making a girl feel good about who she is and what she can become.

There are no earth-shattering truths presented in the book. The writing is simple, down-to-earth, and seems to be written in 20-minute chunks, so it is easy for a busy parent or professional to pick up and put down, as life allows. Everyone will find something they have forgotten, or something they can do to help their children be strong. This book reminds us to spend time with our daughters or students. It helps us keep communication open, respect their feelings, appreciate them, give them responsibility when they can handle it, and remember how hurtful criticism can be to a developing sense of self.

The overall message is that we need to help girls discover who they really are, and not to need the approval of others. A girl with confidence will know her own mind, honor and care for her body, be aware of her capabilities, and go out into the wider world with hope, purpose, passion and direction. Our job is to be her guide.

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