this one is a great start. You’ll find answers toquestions you may have never even thought of!
But no book is a substitute for talking to your
parents, your doctor, or other adults you trust—
people whose job is to take care of you. No question
is too silly or too embarrassing to ask. Remember, the
grown-ups in your life were once your age, too, and
they have experience and wisdom to share with you.
Celebrate YOU
Remember that your body is
a work in progress. Try not to
focus on what it looks like.
Instead, think about all the great
things your body can do.
You may feel like you don’t have any control over your growing
body. Not true! You are the boss when it comes to taking care
of these basics.
Pay Attention
Your body is talking to you. Can
you hear it? Learn to tune in to
your body and hear its warnings.
If your body says it’s thirsty, drink
more water. If your body is tired,
give it a rest.
Keep Clean
All that hard work your body’s
doing to grow up means you’ll
need to bathe or shower more
often, especially if you’re active
in sweaty sports.
Exercise
You don’t have to be an Olympic
athlete to be healthy. Just put down
that video game, get off the couch,
and get moving! Skate to a friend’s
house or dance to your favorite
music. The busier you keep your
body, the better you’ll feel.
Just Don’t
No girl can look and feel her best
with cigarette smoke, alcohol, or
drugs in her body. Though drinking
and smoking may seem “grown-up,”
the truth is, they’re bad for your
health. And drugs can destroy your
family and future. A smart girl turns
her back and walks away from so-
called friends who put pressure on
her to “just try it.”
Your body is yours and yours
alone. You have the right to pro-
tect it and keep it private from
anyone—family, friend, or stranger.
If any person touches you in a way
that makes you feel uncomfort-
able, tell an adult you trust imme-
diately. You should never keep a
secret that is harmful to you or
protect anyone who is hurting you.
If you feel good about yourself on the inside,
you’ll sparkle on the outside!
Compare? No Fair!
It’s tempting to compare yourself to the girls you see
on TV and in magazines and movies. But hold on! Is it
fair to measure yourself against made-in-Hollywood
images created by makeup artists and photo wizards?
No way! You don’t need to measure yourself against
anyone at all, including friends or other girls at school.
You’re you—a one-of-a-kind original—and you’re
beautiful in your own unique way.
It Isn’t a Race
A girl’s body changes to a woman’s body gradually, not
overnight. Each girl develops at her own rate. Even sis-
ters don’t develop at the same rate. And it’s important
to remember that growing up isn’t a race. There are no
prizes for being the first—or last—girl to lose all her
baby teeth or to wear a bra. Trust that your body will
do all the right things at the time that is right for you.
What’s on the Inside
The most attractive girl in the room isn’t the girl with
the thinnest waist or the fairest face. It’s the girl who
brims with self-confidence. She’s the one who stands
head and shoulders above the crowd. That girl can be
you. It all starts with a positive attitude.
To have a positive attitude, try to see yourself
as a whole person shining through your features.
Focus on what’s best about you and refuse to hunt for
negatives. Don’t doubt yourself—be proud of yourself
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