Everything Sucks: Losing My Mind and Finding Myself in a High School Quest for Cool by Hannah Friedman

Stars: *****

HCI Teens (2009)
Teen Nonfiction (Memoir)
264 pages

Summary: Hannah Friedman's life sucks. So she sets out to change it. After a strange early and middle childhood she enters one of the country's most prestigious boarding schools on scholarship and transforms herself into everything she is not: cool. By senior year, she has a perfect millionaire boyfriend, a perfect GPA, a perfect designer wardrobe, and is part of the most popular clique in school, but somehow everything begins to suck far worse than when she first started. Her newfound costly drug habit, eating disorder, identity crisis, and Queen-Bee attitude lead to the unraveling of Hannah's very unusual life. She manages to put it all back together but it's not easy.


When I was approached by the author herself to review this book, the title and summary brought me back to my high school years. I realize they weren't all that long ago but I enjoy reading of others adventures in high school. I was a little unsure about the book, not sure if it would be good or not but I'm glad I accepted because it was awesome!

I just LOVE the chapter titles. They each have the work suck in them such as: Family Sucks, Periods Suck, Diets Suck, Love Sucks etc.... I zipped through the book in a few days because it was engaging. I remember telling my husband about the book too which I don't do often because he's not a reader and usually could careless. However if I really enjoy a book, I ramble on and on about it to him. The fact that on Amazon.com it has a four and a half star average rating and NO ratings below three (as of this post anyways) tells me that I'm not the only one to enjoy this book.

The writing style is what kept me captivated. It was almost like the author was sitting across from me telling me her story, which to me is a sign of a good memoir. Her stories were funny but also in some ways amazing. A few times I was wondering if something really happened to her, it just seemed a bit extreme. The story, even thought it's true, carries some important lessons about being who you are, and not who you think you should be. Hannah finds out the hard way that being cool isn't everything. I think hearing this from a true memoir drives the point home more than a fiction novel with the same lesson.

Recommended for Ages 14 and up, including those who are not in high school anymore but enjoy reading about it.

Links of Interest: Hannah Friedman, Hannah on Twitter, Hannah on YouTube, 

Other Reviews: Book Addiction, Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic, Shooting Stars Mag, Write for a Reader, Pop Culture Junkie, Presenting Lenore,

Buy Everything Sucks at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All reviews are honest and are not affected in any way by how I came by the book.

Straight Talk for Teenage Girls by Annette Fuson

Stars: ****

Author House (2008)
Teen Nonfiction
125 Pages

Summary: Straight Talk for Teenage Girls is information to help teen girls make better choices about life situations so they will grow to adulthood successfully. Topics include: self-esteem, dealing with emotions, making decisions, friendships with girls/boys, getting out of bad situations, handling mistakes and reaching goals. Because of the self-tests, case studies at each chapter and the 50 questions from real girls, adults who work with teens use the book for discussions. The information comes from classes taught in school for over 20 years. The book is up-beat, positive and easy to understand. The mission is to help all girls make choices that will lead to a happier life.

When I was a teen I read every book I could get my hands on about puberty, being a teen, teen relationships etc... I think it is because of this that I wasn't in for any major shockers when I was a teen and I was prepared for everything fairly well. I'm always on the lookout for nonfiction for teens so that when my girls or even my nieces get to those years, I will know what to recommend.

Straight Talk for Teenage Girls is a good book for teen girls to read, to answer some of their pressing questions about all kinds of subjects: the teen years, self-esteem, common teen problems, emotions, friendships, boys vs girls, getting out of bad situations, understanding sex, mistakes, goals/dreams and more.

It's written in a way that I think makes it both easy to understand, but not as if the author is talking down to the reader. There is no judging or hidden underlying messages. I personally dislike books for teens that are slipping in "be abstinent" or other lessons into each chapter. I prefer books that give teens all the facts and let them decide.

I especially thought the section on Getting Out of Bad Situations was very well written and full of usable ideas. It includes how to leave a party you aren't comfortable at without looking uncool, how to get out of a situation that may lead to sex if you aren't ready as well as info on dating older boys and hanging around with friends who probably aren't the best friends for you. I just wish it was a bit longer.

There is a great quiz to find out if your boyfriend is right for you (good boyfriend material) which you can also find online - Is Your Boyfriend Right For You? (PDF file)

Links of Interest: Straight Talk for Teenage Girls, PUMP Interview with Annette Fuson,

Other Reviews: NONE YET


Buy Straight Talk for Teenage Girls at amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews

The Little Black Book for Girlz: A Book on Healthy Sexuality by St. Stephen's Community House

Stars: ****

Annick Press (2006)
Ages 14+

This is another book I read for Freedom to Read Week. Here is the information on why and how it was challenged:


St. Stephen’s Community House. The Little Black Book for Girlz: A Book on Healthy Sexuality.
2006—The Institute for Canadian Values (ICV), a Christian organization, campaigned against this frank sex-education manual for teenage girls. The ICV urged people to write and phone to complain to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the minister of industry and local MPs to drop public funding for The Little Black Book for Girlz and similar books. The ICV also urged people to “monitor their local schools, libraries and other resource centres to ensure that the book is not introduced elsewhere.”
Cause of objection—The book, which is written by teenage girls for teenage girls, encourages lesbianism, describes lesbian sex, contains “obscene” language and provides “misleading information” about safe sex.

Okay first I have a few things to say about the above. The book does NOT encourage lesbianism, it just encourages girls to be true to who they are and not be afraid if they are attracted to girls. As for misleading information about safe sex, I don't recall reading that. I was a little unsure about a few points some girls made about how they chose to have sex at young ages and they felt it was right for them. Personally I don't think a 14 or 16 year old could be ready for sex, no matter what they think. However a teen interested in learning more about sex is going to listen more to someone their age who has been in that situation over an adult saying you are not ready for sex! After all if you tell a teen they aren't ready for something, they might do it just to prove to themselves and you that they are (or think they are.) Also the book has a Are You Ready for Sex questionnaire that is awesome and includes things like respecting yourself and your partner, trusting yourself and your partner, being able to talk about sex with your potential partner and more.

I think this is a great book about sex for teen girls. I read lots of books on the subject of sex and puberty throughout my teenage years even though my mom was open with me and would answer any questions I had. Think of the girls who don't have that kind of relationship though and who need answers. Teens will listen to sex advice from their friends who usually don't know what they are talking about. Although this book is by teenagers their answers are checked by professionals and sometimes the teenagers interviewed the professionals.

What's amazing about this book is that it's also filled with original artwork from the teens who helped create the book. Oftentimes they are raw and open. You can get a look inside The Little Black Book for Girlz at St. Stephen's Community House. It shows some of the artwork and format and has some answers to FAQs.

Topics covered: relationships, periods, sex, birth control, pregnancy/miscarriage, abortion, STIs, AIDS, sexual assault. The back of the book also has a large section with websites and phone numbers for more information and help in certain areas.


Links of Interest: Interview about book and general controversy at BookNinja, St. Stephen's Community House, Annick Press Catalgoue Page,

Other Reviews: Harmony Book Reviews,

Buy The Little Black Book for Girlz at Amazon.com and support SMS Book Reviews.

*I got my copy of this book at the library

Start Talking: A Girls' Guide for You and Your Mom about Health, Sex or Whatever by Mary Jo Rapini & Janine Sherman

Day One - Review

Stars: ****1/2

Non-fiction
Bayou Publishing November 2008
ISBN: 978-1-886298-31-6

200 pages
Book One of the Talk at the Table Series

Ages 10 and up

Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom about Health, Sex or Whatever [an inside look at the details even she doesn't know] is a guide for a teen or preteen girl and her mom to read together and discuss together. The following is from the Press Release:

"To help girls - and their moms, psychotherapist Mary Jo Rapini (of TLC's new series Big Medicine) and OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner Janine J. Sherman have assembled more than 113 questions girls (and their moms) routinely ask - or should be asking - about topics ranging from periods and sex to self esteem and dating. In Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom about Health, Sex or Whatever, Rapini and Sherman share succinct yet lively answers, sample conversations, and real life stories that will help open the door to better mother/daughter communication." - Press Release from KSB Promotions

I was quite impressed with this book. For each subject, the authors talk to both the daughters and the mothers and encourages each to read the other's section too. One quick note that is very important: Although this book says it's for mothers, it works just as well for whoever the main women may be in a family. If a girl is being raised by a Grandmother or Aunt or Foster Mom, it doesn't matter, this book is still right for that duo.

The book covers sensitive subjects such as periods, sex, birth control, dating, rape, how our body works, STDs, having "sacro" relationships, following your passions

With each section, you will find cover information, then Daughter Questions (questions from real daughters with real answers), then Mom Questions (ditto), then Table Talk (an example of how a conversation might go) and then discussion questions (questions to help you get the conversation going.) All throughout this are real life stories and illustrations as needed.

The authors talk as one. What I mean is that they don't identify who specifically is talking throughout the book. At first I didn't think this was a good idea but now I do. You don't want to be thinking about how this information came from a nurse and this came from a sex therapist. You just want to focus on what the information is. Both authors know what they are talking about and together, they make an excellent duo.

The sample conversations are really good, for the most part, even if the answers don't come out exactly like the book shows, you will know where to go from there. That's why the book is called Start Talking. It's designed to "set the table" and get you to "start talking" with your daughter/mother about these serious issues. There were a few times though that I thought the mom or daughter in the book was taking things way too easily.

"This book has made me stronger. It gave me back my mom, because it made her stronger, too." - Elen Eisner, High School Student

That quote was from some early praise for the book. I think the authors stumbled upon this idea at a great time. In the 21st century, we are becoming more accustomed to discussing what used to be sensitive matters. However we seem to still have trouble talking about these issues with our family, those who are closest to us. We can joke about sex and periods with our friends but when it comes time to talk seriously about them with our family, forget it.

For now I'd like to leave you with the link for the book: http://starttalkingbook.com/

My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff

Stars: *****

(Check back March 2 - 8/09 for a giveaway of this book!)

Summary: My Little Red Book is an anthology of stories about first periods, collected from women of all ages from around the world. The accounts range from light-hearted (the editor got hers while water skiing in a yellow bathing suit) to heart-stopping (a first period discovered just as one girl was about to be strip-searched by the Nazis). The contributors include well-known women writers (Meg Cabot, Erica Jong, Gloria Steinem, Cecily von Ziegesar), alongside today's teens. And while the authors differ in race, faith, or cultural background, their stories share a common bond: they are all accessible, deeply honest, and highly informative. Whatever a girl experiences or expects, she'll find stories that speak to her thoughts and feelings.

Female readers... do you remember your first period? I think most of us do. I don't remember it as well as some of the people in this book but I do remember the basics.

So why would you want to read about other's experiences getting their first period? A couple of reasons:

1. You are a preteen who hasn't gotten a period yet and you are nervous and/or curious about what you might expect.
2. You recently started your first period and feel the need to talk about it but have no one who will talk with you. Although the book won't talk back, I know it felt like I had a good talk with some fellow girls/women when I was done.
3. You're a mom of of a preteen who will be getting a period soon and you would like to be able to talk with her about it but you're not sure how to start. This book isn't a how to talk guide but just hearing what some girls thought because their parents didn't say anything should make you realize how important it is to say something, anything at all.
4. You're curious.

Personally I'm very interested in the subject of women's health and although my kids are no where near getting their period, I will be keeping this book until then. Perhaps it will come in handy with my nieces before that.

The book also has another purpose. Let me quote from the publishers:

Ultimately,it is more than a collection of stories. It is a call for a change in attitude, for a new way of seeing periods. In a time when the taboo around menstruation seems to be one of the few left standing, it makes a difficult subject easier to talk about, and helps girls feel proud instead of embarrassed or ashamed. By revealing what it feels like to undergo this experience first hand, and giving women the chance to explain their feelings in their own words, My Little Red Book aims to provide support, entertainment, and a starting point for discussion for mothers and daughters everywhere. It is a book every girl should have. Period.

At the back of the book, the stories are all separated into "kinds" of stories such as: All Alone, Disposal Challenges, Early Starts, International Stories, Judy Blume, Misconceptions, Old Wives' Tales and Vintage Stories. (The earliest story is from 1916.) The book also has a list of euphemisms (Aunt Flo, In My Moon, Riding the Red Wave etc.....) There's a short list of other books, websites and videos you can check out for more info and a great reading group guide. This book probably isn't the kind you'd think of at first for a group read but it would definitely provoke lots of discussion.

Other's Reviews

Worducopia has an interview with one of the contributing authors
At Home With Books

NOTE: Most people who reviewed this book did it as part of a book tour and so they all link to each other. So from At Home With Books you can find links to all the other reviews as part of the tour. I got a review copy but it was not part of a tour which is why I'm not linked in there.