American Girl - SGG - Collection - Vol1

Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1
Table of Contents
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Cooking Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race & Inclusion Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Crushes Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Worry Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Knowing What to Say Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Liking Herself Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Understanding Families Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Friendship Troubles Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Digital World Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Sports & Fitness Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Getting It Together Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Manners Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Money Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Middle School Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference Excerpt
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image Excerpt

Coo ing Coo ing
how to make food for
your friends, your family & yourself
how to make food for
your friends, your family & yourself
by Patricia Daniels and Darcie Johnston

illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Cooking
2 3
join the club

Cooking passes on world
history, too. Every culture Adults Required!
expresses itself with its A kitchen is a glorious place. It can
own special foods. When also be a dangerous one, though. So
What’s your you’re eating hummus, before you do any of the activities
in this book, ask permission from an
spring rolls, or curry, you’re
favorite meal? experiencing other places in adult. And while you’re in the kitch-
the tastiest way. en, an adult needs to be with you
at all times. Never cook alone.
Zippy hot (Cooking is more fun with
tacos on a other people anyway!)
Saturday
nig ht?
The spag
hetti
and mea
tballs
yo ur mo
m
makes fo
r yo ur
birthday?
You can join that great tradition.

It’s easy. Not only can you learn to
make family favorites, but you can
invent your own mouthwatering
dishes, too.
Turkey,
stuffing, and
all the
trim mings at
Thanksg iving? The more you cook, the more
you’ll get to know how foods
and flavors go together, and
how to change things up the
These are more than meals. They are also
way you like. One day you
memories. Cooking means sharing in tradi-
won’t even need a recipe—
tions that go back thousands of years.
except when you want to try
Family recipes hold family history. Maybe something really different.
your great-grandmother brought that
Cooking is old, yet at the
pasta recipe with her from Rome. Maybe
same time, for a creative
your dad learned to make his tacos in
cook, cooking is always new.
Texas when he was a kid. Wherever they
came from, those recipes contain stories Welcome to the club!
about your own past.
4 5
family traditions My family makes monkey bread

for any special holiday. My mom
Do you and your family eat a special holiday meal, handed down for makes it, my mom’s mom makes
generations? Or do you have fun food traditions that you invented your- My grandma has a
it, and my mom’s mom’s mom
selves? Here’s what girls have to share about their own family traditions. recipe called Czech
makes it, too!
puzzle cookies. They
are crunchy and —Tyler
Every year, my family and I—including have powdered sugar
my mom, sister, cousin, grandma, and For Hanukkah, my all over them, and
aunts—make hundreds of homemade mom always makes they’re so good! Best
ravioli to eat at holidays and birthday her own donuts and of all, she passed the
dinners. They are the most delicious potato pancakes. recipe down to my For our tradition, my family always
ravioli ever tasted, hands down! has a Sunday night dinner. I like it
—Rachel sister and me.
—Rosita —Erin
because this is a time every week
when I get to be with my sister
and brother, who are gone a lot.
We always have a special home-
At Christmas, my mama I’m from Sweden, and we
cooked meal.
makes tamales and posole. always make saffron buns
About once a month,
Posole is a Mexican soup for the holiday Saint Lucia.
my mom or dad will —Madelyn
that has hominy, meat, and The buns are shaped like
serve one of us kids
a spicy broth. Tamales have an S and have raisins. Saint
on a special bright red
masa on the outside and Lucia brings light to the
plate. When someone
spicy sauce and meat on darkest time of the year!
gets the special plate,
the inside. They’re delicious! My family celebrates Eid. Girls wear
—Caroline each family member
clothes called salwar kameez, and
—Naya will say one good thing
everyone eats a rice dish called
about him or her while
we eat dinner. biryani and a dessert called mitai.
We have spaghetti for dinner every
Monday night. It always gives me —Eva —Sania
something to look forward to on
the first day of the school week!
—Katie
6 7
the joys of cooking Cooking keeps you

healthy and strong.
What’s so great about When you make your own
meals, you’re eating fresh
cooking? Let’s see . . . food that you know is good,
not mystery ingredients
Cooking is fun! from plastic packages. If
It gives you a zillion chances to you’re the cook, you’re more
explore and experiment. Comb likely to know what’s really
through cookbooks and web- on your plate—and to care.
sites for dishes that get you
excited. Discover the foods of
other countries and cultures.
Be creative with flavors and
food combinations. There’s no
end to the pleasures you’ll find. Cooking puts you in charge.
When you know how to make your
own meals, you’re the boss. You can
design your own lunches. You can
cook just what you like for friends.
You don’t have to rely on someone
else. You’re the chef!
Cooking brings
people together.
Sure, you can make
something just for your-
self. But cooking is a
great way to have fun
with friends and fam-
ily. Put on some music
and pull your pals into
the kitchen. Decorate
cupcakes. Create per-
sonal pizzas. Mash up
guacamole. Take your
place among the family’s
holiday cooks and show Cooking is delicious.
what you can do. Making—and eating—scrumptious
homemade food is one of life’s
great pleasures. It just is.
8 9
Quiz
Quiz Quiz
your your
yoursense
cooking
cooking sense
cooking sense
Which of these scenes describes
Which you the
of these scenes best? you the best?
describes
1. The
Which ofFrench
these scenes The 1.
bread recipe callsyou
French
describes for the
bread 1 recipe
tablespoon
calls forof1 tablespoon
best? sugar. You of
. . sugar.
. You . . .
1. a. use
The a cereal
French bread
a. use
spoon toacalls
recipe
cereal
add
b.sugar
aforspoonoftosugar
heap add a heap ofmixing
1 tablespoontoofthe sugar. Youbowl.
...
Quiz bowl.
sugar to the mixing
b.
a. add
use ajust enough
cereal spoon
add just enough
to fill
to add
sugar
up the to fillspoon,
ofcereal
up the then
cereal spoon,the
the mixingdump
then dump the
sugar intoatheheap
bowl. sugar to bowl.
sugar into the bowl.
b. add just enoughc.sugar
c. find
to fill
find the up thespoon
measuring cerealmarked
spoon,“1thenyour
T,” filldump
it just the
4. to start making your dad’s favorite vegetable soup. The
4. It’s time
to the rim, and
It’s time to start making your dad’s favorite vegetable soup. The
sugarthe measuring spoon marked “1 T,” fill it just to the rim, and first thing you do is . . .
into the bowl.
add the sugar to the bowl.
add the sugar to the bowl. cooking
c. find the measuring spoon marked “1 T,” fill it just to the rim, and
sense 4. first thing you do is . . .
a. start making your dad’s favorite vegetable soup. The
It’s time to read the first step in the recipe and do what it says: Add carrots
2. You’re supposed to “whisk” three eggs a. read the first step in the recipe and do what it says: Add carrots
2. You’re supposed totogether.
add the sugar to the bowl.
“whisk”Youthree
. . . eggs 1.
Which of these scenes describes you the best?
a. read the
The French bread recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of sugar. You . . .
to the
first thing you
to the pot.
b. read
firstthe
dopot.
is . . .
whole
step recipe,
in the including
recipe and do thewhat
ingredients
it says:list,
Add andcarrots
realize
2. You’re
together. You . . . a. crack the eggs into a bowl and
supposed to “whisk” three eggs
a. crack the eggs intocooking
a bowltool
andwith
a. use a
a loopsb.to stir
usewire
b. read
use a cereal spoon to add a heap of sugar to the mixing bowl. thethat
to the pot.
add just enough sugar to fill up the cereal spoon, then dump thethat youadd havethem
you recipe,
whole have to including
to theand
to peel
peel and chop
the the carrots first.
ingredients list,You
and do that and
realize
pot.chop the carrots first. You do that and
together. You . . . them until they’re frothy. sugar into the bowl. b. read the whole recipe, including the ingredients list,list.
and realize
cooking tool with wire loops to stir add them to4.
c. read theIt’s
the pot.
whole
time to recipe, including
start making thefavorite
your dad’s ingredients
vegetable Then
soup. The you
a. crack the eggs into a
b. crack
them until they’re bowl and use a c. find the measuring spoon marked “1 T,” fill it just to the rim, andthat you have
the eggs into a bowl and add
frothy. blend them measure,to peel
peel,
first and
thingand
youchopchop the carrots
do is . .everything
. and first.
have You
all thedo that
ingredientsand
cooking tool withbriskly
wire loops
(rhymesto with
the sugar to the bowl.
stir whiskly) with a wooden spoon. c. read the
add them whole
to the
ready
recipe,
a.pot.
before readyou
including
startstep
the first cooking.
the ingredients list. Then you
in the recipe and do what it says: Add carrots
b. crack
them the
untileggs intofrothy.
they’re a bowl and blend them 2. You’re supposed to “whisk” three eggs measure, peel, andto chop
c. read
the pot.everything and have all the ingredients
briskly (rhymes c. put three eggs in a bowl andtogether.
with whiskly) with a woodenhope spoon. for
Youthe
. . . best. readythe 5.
whole
before
The cake you
recipe,
b.
batter start
read
including
incooking.
isthe the pans
whole recipe,
the
and
ingredients list.list,Then
readythetoingredients
including bake. You . and
you
. . realize
b. crack the eggs into a bowl and blend them a. crack the eggs into a bowl and use a measure, peel, andthatchop everything andthehave allfirst.
theYou ingredients
c. put three
briskly eggs inwith
(rhymes a bowl and hope
whiskly) with afor the best.
wooden You’re3.
cooking
spoon. in tool
charge
with of
wireplanning
loops to stir
5.
ready a. slide the pans
before you start
you have
into to
add them the
to peel and chop
theheated
cooking. pot.
The cake batter is in the pans and ready to bake. You . . .
carrots do that and
oven and leave the kitchen. You’ll
tonight’s dinner. Your menu is . . .
them until they’re frothy. remember c. to take them out. Probably.
3.
read the whole recipe, including the ingredients list. Then you
c. put three eggs in a bowl andYou’re
hope for the best.
b.of
in chargea.crack
rice,
the eggs into a bowl and blend them
planning
French fries, pizza, and
briskly (rhymes with whiskly) with a wooden spoon. 5. The
a. slide
cakethe pansthe
b.batter
slide isinto the
inpans
the
measure, peel, and chop everything and have all the ingredients
heated
into
panstheand oven
heated and
oven,
ready leave
set thethe
to bake. kitchen.
timer,
You
ready before you start cooking.
You’ll
. . .take out the
3. a.tonight’s dinner. Your

You’re in chargec.of body
menu
mashed is . . . because every-
potatoes,
put three eggs in a bowl and hope for the best.
planning
loves those, right?
rice, French fries, pizza, and
remember
b. slide
panstototake
c.
theslide
pans
coolthem
a. slide the pans5.into
the
when out.
pans
into
thebatter
The cake
theinto
Probably.
they’re
heated
done, and turn off the oven.
oven
is in the
the heated
heated
pans and
oven, oven,
set
leave
and ready
the
theYou
to bake.
set the
kitchen.
timer,
timer,
...
andout
take
You’ll
turntheoff
tonight’s dinner. Your menu is . . . 3. You’re in charge of planning remember to take them
a. slide out.
the pans Probably.
into the heated oven and leave the kitchen. You’ll
b. roastbecause
mashed potatoes, chicken, rice pilaf,
every- and adinner.
tonight’s big Your menu is . . . pans to the cooloven
when when they’re
they’re
remember done,
todone,
take leaving
and
them out.turn the
offpans
Probably. theinoven.
there. They’ll
a. rice, French fries, pizza,
green and
salad.
body loves those, right? a. rice, French fries, pizza, and b. slide the pans
stay into
niceb. slide the pans into the heated oven, set the timer, take out
and the
warm.heated oven, set the timer, take the
mashed potatoes, because
c. something every- c. slide
pans thecool
to panswhen
into the heated
they’re done, oven,
and set
turn the
off timer,
the and
oven.
out the
turn off
b. roast chicken, rice
body loves those, pilaf,
right? a big
mashed
easy—maybe chicken
and
potatoes, because
body loves those, right?
every-
the oven 6. when
pans
they’re
It’s time for c.your
to cool
done,
slidemorning
when they’re
leaving
smoothie.
done,
the
the heatedYou
and
pans
turn
oven,. set
off
in
the oven.
there. They’ll
. . the timer, and turn off
b. roast chicken, rice pilaf, and ac.
nuggets and brownies? the pans into
green salad. bigslide the pans
stay nice and intothethe
warm. ovenheated oven,
done,set thethetimer, and turn off
b. roast chicken, rice pilaf, and a big green salad. a. make the same
the oven when they’re
banana smoothie as always.pans in there. They’ll
when they’re
stay nicedone,
leaving
leaving the pans in there. They’ll
and warm.
c. something
green salad.easy—maybe chicken c. something easy—maybe chicken
nuggets and brownies? nuggets and brownies?
6.
It’s stay
time nice
for
Why mess with success?
and6.
your
b. read
warm.
morning
It’s time forsmoothie. You . . .You . . .
your morning smoothie.
through a cookbook and decide you’ll
c. something easy—maybe chicken
nuggets and brownies?
6.
a. make
It’s time for
Why mess
the same
take
your
a. makeon
banana
a chance
morning
the same banana smoothie as always.
Why mess
withsomething
success?
smoothie
a with
blueberry
smoothie. as always. soon.
smoothie
success?You . . .
a. make c. invent b.
the same banana
new—new
read through a cookbookfruits,
smoothie
newyou’ll
and decide
as always.
b. read
Why through
yogurts,
mess with
new takecombinations—every
a cookbook
success?
c.
a chance on a blueberry
and decide you’ll
invent something new—new fruits, new
week!
smoothie soon.
take a chance on yogurts, a blueberry smoothie soon.

new combinations—every week!
b. read through a cookbook and decide you’ll
c. invent something
take a chance on anew—new
blueberry fruits,smoothie newsoon.
yogurts, new combinations—every week!
c. invent something new—new fruits, new
yogurts, new combinations—every A DV E RT I S E M E N T
week!
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Cooking

visit your favorite bookseller or an American Girl store.
10 Return to Table of Contents

c
Ra one &
clu si ace &
In R sion
lu
stand
b u ild
in
in
g
g
u
a
p t
b
o
e t
ra c ism and
ter world
Inc g up to rac ism and
standin g a better wo
rld
buildin
h
y D e a n na Sing dney
b
y S h e l lene Ro
db
illustrate
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race & Inclusion
What is
racism?
One little word has a lot packed into it.
14 15
starting your journey

If you’re reading this book, you’re a girl who . . .
But you
might also
be a girl
who . . .
is worried
she’ll never
wants to help be able to
isn’t sure what fight racism but do enough.
words to use doesn’t know how.
when talking
about race.
feels
uncomfortable
stands up for
talking about
others.
race.
Here’s the good news—you can be all
these things! You can be brave and feel
is uncomfortable talking about race. You
orld a
curious. t o m a ke the w ne. can stand up for others and be unsure
wants veryo
te r p lace for e how to help fight racism. Even grown-ups
is brave. bet
have these mixed-up feelings. You don’t
need to be perfect or know everything
to begin this work—in fact, no one who
is doing this work is flawless. Standing
up to racism is a lifelong journey, but it’s
an exciting one. If you’re willing to put
yourself out there and learn more about
racism, that’s enough to get started!
16 17
what is race? But sometimes people treat

others badly on purpose.
Bigotry is treating another
There are a lot of words and ideas that describe race and racism. It can
person differently
be overwhelming and confusing. Let’s break it down.
because of their race.
Bigotry can sound like
someone telling a
Race is a system that’s used to racist “joke,” or it can
sort people into groups based look like not allowing
on their ancestry or physical someone to play with
appearance, like skin color. you because of her skin
Black, White, Latinx, and Asian color. Anyone can be
are some examples of these bigoted because these
categories. are personal, individual
behaviors.
Racism is how society treats racial

But this is tricky. It’s impossible groups differently. Racism is so
to identify a person’s race in much bigger than bigotry because
her DNA—you won’t ever see it is about whole groups of people.
it under a microscope. There’s In US society, White people have
no gene that determines what more power in their roles as
group a person belongs to. But teachers, school officials, bankers,
we do tend to divide people into doctors, or politicians. Because
groups socially. The idea of bio- of implicit bias and sometimes on
logical race isn’t real, but society purpose, White people have made
has everyone believing it is. it easier for other White people
to benefit from systems, such as
education, that help them have
more successful lives. Whether
Those beliefs are so strong that they create stereotypes about whole this happens on purpose or
groups of people. Stereotypes are beliefs or assumptions about groups of unconsciously, it’s still racism.
people that aren’t true. Sometimes we don’t even know that we believe
a certain stereotype—the idea might have come from a TV show or
from something someone said. Even though we aren’t aware of it, these
thoughts and stereotypes inform how we act. They cause us to prefer
certain groups over others through what is called implicit bias—a set of In this book, you’ll see words such as race and racial groups to describe
dangerous assumptions that can make us unknowingly hurt others. Our people. But keep in mind that while these words are common and used
brains automatically make these assumptions about other people. But we everywhere, separating people into groups by race allows some people
can learn to notice our thoughts and then act differently. to feel superior to others, usually based on the color of their skin.
18 19
systemic racism
Racism has been around for hundreds of years, and it affects everyone.
Racism creates systems that make sure White people get access to the Even though laws have changed, changing people’s minds and hearts
best education, housing, and jobs. This has been happening over hun- takes a lot more work. We are still dealing with the impact of stereo-
dreds of years, and it’s called systemic racism. Did you know that there types and racism that started from having these laws. For example, laws
was a time when people of color could not go to certain schools, live kept Black people from living in neighborhoods with White people.
in certain neighborhoods, or have certain jobs? Doing those things was White kids went to neighborhood schools that had more resources, like
illegal, and they could be punished. These laws prevented them from high-quality books and materials. Having gone to schools with more
reaching their full potential and from being able to reach their dreams. resources, they went on to get better, higher-paying jobs that let them
Those laws also justified treating someone differently because of their move into even better neighborhoods. The impact of these laws will
race and made inequality seem normal. last for generations, and people of color continue to lose out on good
schools, housing, and jobs. That’s why it’s not enough to just be nice to
people of color—we have to practice anti-racism to change the systems
that treat them unfairly.
20 21
Latinx: people who trace their back-

words about race
words about race
Latinx:
ground topeople
ground to
Though
who tracecountries.
Latin American
Latin American
“Hispanic”
their back-
is a commoncountries.
term for
It can feel really awkward to talk about race and racism. Racial history Though “Hispanic”
this group, it isonlya common
refers toterm
peoplefor
It unfair
is can feel really
and awkward
painful, to talk
so many about
people racelike
don’t andtoracism. Racial
bring it history
up. Have you this group,
from it only
countries thatrefers
weretoonce
people
under
is unfair
ever and talking
started painful,about
so many
racepeople don’t like
and a parent to bring
shushed it up.
you? HaveHave
youyou from countries
Spanish control,that suchwere once the
as Spain, under
starteda talking
ever asked questionabout race
about and
race a parent
and a teachershushed
skippedyou?toHave you
the next Spanish control,
Philippines, EquatorialsuchGuinea,
as Spain, the
and
ever asked
subject? a question
Racism remainsabout
a bigrace and a for
problem teacher
societyskipped
because to the nextdon’t
people Philippines,
some Equatorial
Latin American Guinea, and
countries. The
subject?
talk aboutRacism
it. Butremains
we can’ta make
big problem
racism for society
better because
by staying people
quiet. Heredon’t
are word some Latinmore
“Latino” American countries.
accurately The
describes
talk about
some wordsit.that
But will
we can’t
help make racism better
you understand racebyandstaying
racismquiet. Hereto
and how are word “Latino”
people with ties more accurately
to Latin describes
American coun-
Latinx: people who trace their back-
someabout
talk words about race
wordsit.that will help you understand race and racism and how to
talk about it.
people
tries. Butwith ties
“Latino” to
ground to Latin American countries.
tries.“Latina”
and
Though But “Latino”
“Hispanic” is a
Latin
technically
referstechnically
common
American
to women.refers
term for
refers coun-
to men,
to men,
“Latinx”
It can feel really awkward to talk about race and racism. Racial history this group, it only refers to people
is unfair and painful, so many people don’t like to bring it up. Have you
and
refers “Latina”
to all refers
genders. to women.
from countries that were once under
“Latinx”
ever started talking about race and a parent shushed you? Have you refers to all genders.
Spanish control, such as Spain, the
People of Color: ever asked a question about race and a teacher skipped to the next
people from
subject? Racism remains a big problem for society because people don’t
Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and
some Latin American countries. The
People of Color:
racial groups that are people from
not White.
talk about it. But we can’t make racism better by staying quiet. Here are word “Latino” more accurately describes
racial groupsyou
Sometimes thatmight
are not White.
hear thesome words that will help you understand race and racism and how to people with ties to Latin American coun-
talk about it. tries. But “Latino” technically refers to men,
Sometimes
words you might hear the
“underrepresented,” Native American/ and “Latina” refers to women. “Latinx”
words “underrepresented,”
“minority,” or “marginalized” to Native American/
American Indian/ refers to all genders.
“minority,”
describe or group
this “marginalized”
of people.toPeople of Color: people from American Indian/
Indigenous: people
describe this group of people.racial groups that are not White. Indigenous:
who trace their people
ancestry
Sometimes you might hear the who trace
back to thetheir
Americasancestry
words “underrepresented,” Native American/
“minority,” or “marginalized” to
backAmerican
before toEuropeans
the Americas
Indian/came. “Indian” is an
describe this group of people. before
inaccurateEuropeans
term people
Indigenous: fromcame.
when “Indian” is an
Christopher
who trace their ancestry
inaccurate
Columbus term
thought from
back to the Americas
hewhen
had Christopher
landed in
Columbus
India. “Native
before thought
American”
Europeans he“Indian”
came. had landed
acknowledges
is an in
India.inaccurate
that “Nativeterm
people lived from
American”when
here Christopher
acknowledges
before Europeans
Columbus thought he had landed in
came, though
that India.
people lived
“Native some here
American”prefer
before“American
acknowledgesEuropeans
came,
Indian.”
thatthough
people some
“Indigenous”
lived here prefer
refers
before “American
to a nation’s
Europeans
came, though some prefer “American
Indian.”
earliest “Indigenous”
known refers to a nation’s
inhabitants.
Indian.” “Indigenous” refers to a nation’s
earliest known inhabitants.
earliest known inhabitants.
Black/African American:
Black/Africansome American: some
Black/African American:
prefer
prefer to say “African to say “African
American” some American”
to describe Black people because
prefer
to to sayBlack
describe “African
people American”
because
it highlights their shared historical BIPOC: refers to Black, Indigenous,
tohighlights
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their shared because
roots inhistorical
Africa. Others prefer “Black” BIPOC:
and People of Color. refers to Black,
Some people Indigenous,
use this term to be more inclusive.
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accurately.
describe its members most accurately. A DV E RT I S E M E N T
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race & Inclusion


Crushes
dating, rejection,
and other stuff Crushesdating, rejection, and other stuff
by Nancy Holyoke
illustrated by Elisa Chavarri
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Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Crushes
crushes
brave
brave
newworld
new world
Lots of kids—boys and girls alike—have crushes from the time they go
off to preschool. But as you reach puberty, those crushes may get bigger.
Tiny crushes, which in first grade took up a corner of your brain, can
become huge, humongous, gigantic

crushes that make you look out the window for hours instead of studying
for your math test.
Lots of crushes are daydreams. You might have a crush on a pop star.
You might have a crush on a teacher or your cousin in Omaha. You might
have a crush on a kid at school who doesn’t even know your name. These
kinds of crushes can make you feel wonderful because . . .
you have excited, you have fun

happy feelings, imaginings,
you can feel romantic about and you will never have
someone without the risk to face the fact that your
that that person might hurt crush is not perfect.
your feelings (it’s safe),
Crushes are also useful. A crush lets you try on new feelings, sort of like
trying on clothes in a store. You can learn a lot without buying anything.
You consider what you like in other people. You learn how to deal with
frustration when you can’t get what you want. It’s all part of growing up.
Of course, you also might develop a crush on someone you actually
know. Kids around you may be getting crushes, too. Some might even be
speaking up and saying so. This can make life at school very different.
6 6 7
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a typical
ypical day day a typic
Sophia writes a note to Ryan and folds it up
Suddenly kids are talking about who likes who. School is a more 1:30-1:45 p.m.
enly kids aregossipy,
talking about who likes till it’s the size of a wad of chewing gum. She kids are t
less private place.who. School
There’s is intrigue—and
more a more more Suddenly
py, less private place. There’s
nervousness, too. more intrigue—and more gives it to Addison to deliver. gossipy, less private
usness, too. nervousness, too.
Sophia tells Addison she likes Ryan. Kayla and Jing and Autumn have a good time
2:10 p.m.
8:45 a.m. 8:45 a.m.
Sophia tells Addison she likes Ryan.
in gym teasing David and DeShay and Reese. 8:45 a.m.
Addison tells Ryan that Sophia likes him. Ryan
10:0 5
Addisona.m.
tells Ryan that Sophia likes him. Ryan
0:05 a.m. says, “Uh, well, Sophia’s
says, “Uh, well, Sophia’s OK.”
OK.” 3:00-3:30 p.m. Addison gives Sophia’s note to Ryan. She 10:05 a.m.
thinks he looks cute when he’s embarrassed.
Maria writes her favorite movie star’s name on On the bus, Addison makes a list of all the kids
0:36 a.m. 10:36 a.m.her favorite

Maria writes movie star’s name on
her notebook cover for the 348th time.
her notebook cover for the 348th time.
she’s liked this year. It looks like this: 10:36 a.m.
1. Ryan (2 weeks)
Addison sends a text to ten of her closest 2. Tyler (1 week)
1:05 a.m. 11:0 5 a.m.
Addison sends a text to ten of her closest
friends (including Sophia) announcing that
friends (including Sophia) announcing that
3. Khalid (2 days) 11:05 a.m.
Sophia and Ryan are now together. 4. David (3½ hours)
Sophia and Ryan are now together.
5. Maggie’s brother Jonathan (in her dreams)
Taylor sits near Destiny at lunch. That’s new. There were others first semester, but she
11:47 a.m.
Taylor sits near Destiny at lunch. That’s new.
1:47 a.m. What does it mean?What does it mean? Destiny has no idea.
Destiny has no idea.
lost count. She thinks maybe she’d like to 11:47 a.m.
go with Ryan again after he and Sophia
Sophia says hi to Ryan in the cafeteria. Ryan break up. She figures her friend and her
1:50 a.m. 11:50
Sophia a.m.
says hi to Ryan in the cafeteria. Ryan
says hi back. They both sit with their friends. new crush will last about two weeks. 11:50 a.m.
says hi back. They both sit with their friends.
Maybe one.
Max and Gabriella ignore each other when

2:01 p.m. 12:01 p.m.
Max and Gabriella ignore each other when
they dump their trays. They are neighbors and
they dump their trays. They are neighbors and
12:01 p.m.
good friends, but they never let on at school
good friends, but they never let on at school
because they’d be teased.
because they’d be teased.
8 9
8
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8 12/18/19 2:24 PM LB_GNW14_Pages.indd 8
hormones staying normal

hormones
What is causing all this drama? For one thing, hormones.
Hormones are chemicals in the body. During puberty, a girl’s hormones
I don’t have any problem being myself around girls, but
sometimes when boys are around, I can’t seem to be me.
t is causing all this drama? For one thing, hormones.
help her body develop into a woman’s body, and a boy’s hormones help I just act weird.
mones arehis chemicals
body develop in the into
body.a man’s
Duringbody.
puberty, a girl’s hormones
In general, this happens a little Breena
her bodysooner
develop forinto
girls.a That’s
woman’swhybody,
girls and a boy’s hormones
are sometimes helpphysically more
taller and
ody developmatureintothan
a man’s
boysbody. In general,
up until this happens a little
high school. A lot of girls find it hard to act normal. The simplest thing—like passing
er for girls. That’s why girls are sometimes taller and physically more an assignment to the kid in the next desk—may send clouds of questions
Hormones cause lots of emotional changes, too. Your moods get rolling through your mind.
re than boys up until high school.
stronger at the same time your body’s growing in new, confusing ways.
mones causeThrowlotsinofallemotional changes,
the other things kids are too.
often Your moods
dealing withget
at this age—
ger at the same
acne, timeodor,
body yourbraces.
body’s Small
growing in new,
wonder if aconfusing
girl finds ways.
romantic feelings What if he starts
w in all the
hardother things kids are often dealing with at this age—
to handle. to like me? What if he starts to
body odor, braces. Small wonder if a girl finds romantic feelings think I like him?
to handle.
What if my friends
What if I start to like think he and I like each
After him, and he doesn’t other and embarrass me
hormones like me back? about it?
After
hormones
What if he and I start
liking each other at the
same time? WHAT
THEN????
Before
hormones
Before
hormones
• Eye contact is normal. • Eye contact is iffy.

• Thinking is normal. • No clue what to say.
contact •isTalking
normal.is no big deal. • Eye contact •isHeart
iffy. is jumpy.
nking is normal. • No clue what to say. is woozy.
• Stomach
king is no big deal. • Heart is jumpy.
• Thinking? Ha!
10 • Stomach is woozy. 11
• Thinking? Ha!

i rd
d --o
o --m
m e
etteer
we
ei r 3
being fake
w 2 3 r
2 Nicholas is cute, Nathan is awesome, and Neo is cool. You
have to walk past them all on the way to your locker. You
put your chin in the air, pretend you’re Miss Popularity, and
44
hope they buy the act.
11
Most of us put up a front when we’re nervous. It helps us hide our fears.
You start acting, well, weird. But there are ways you can control that. But the goal is to relax and be yourself, not to pass yourself off as Miss
You start acting, well, weird. But there are ways you can control that. Popularity. So don’t overdo the cool. Release that chin. Picture yourself
galloping giggles the way you are coming off the field after a winning game, singing along
galloping giggles
Jesse cracks a joke. You go heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee to your favorite song, or talking to your little sister. Picture you being you.
Jesse cracks a joke. You go heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee—and
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee—and
can’t stop until the teacher walks up and raps on your desk. chatterbox
can’t stop until the teacher walks up and raps on your desk.
A good joke deserves a good giggle. Lots of us may laugh when we’re Angel is standing next to you in line. Suddenly you hear
A good joke
too,deserves
whetherasomething’s
good giggle.funny
Lots of
or us may laugh
OKwhen
up towe’re
nervous, not. That’s a point, yourself jabbering away as if your mouth weren’t connected
nervous, too, whether something’s funny or not. That’s OK
but you don’t want to be the kid who giggles all the time. It makes up to a point,
but you don’t want to be the kid who giggles all the time. It makes
to your brain.
you seem silly. And you’re just not good company when you’re out
you seem silly.
of control. And you’re
So when just not
the giggles goodclose
attack, company when you’re
your mouth, freezeoutyour Slow down. It will give you time to think before you speak. Don’t run
of control. So when the giggles attack, close your
chest, and hold your breath for a moment. Glance away. Domouth, freeze your
something your words together. Take a breath between sentences. Ask questions.
chest, andhands—grab
with your hold your breath for afool
a pencil, moment. Glance
with the strapsaway. Do something
of your backpack. Conversations involve both people talking, after all. While Angel’s
with
Concentrate on pulling yourself together, and don’t let go tillbackpack.
your hands—grab a pencil, fool with the straps of your you do. responding, really listen. That will help you decide what to say next.
Concentrate on pulling yourself together, and don’t let go till you do.
12 13
12

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avoidavoidavoid
C.J. and Matt are so cute! They’re talking to your best friend
during a break in gym. You’d like to join them, but what if
you say the wrong thing? What if they think you’re butting
in? You stay where you are and count bricks in the wall.
Try not to avoid boys. It will only make your nerves worse. Remind
yourself that it’s natural for girls and boys to feel fluttery around one
““who
who
another at this age. For that matter, it’s natural to feel fluttery around
anyone you’re crushing on. The way to learn to talk to people you find
attractive is to talk to them. Practice makes perfect. Or at least with likes
likes
who?”
who?”
a little practice, talking to a crush won’t be such a big deal.
14 A DV E RT I S E M E N T 1515
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Crushes
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LB_GNW14_Pages.indd Return to Table of Contents 12/18/19 2:252:25
12/18/19 PMP
Drama,
rum or s, Drama,
& secrets rum or s,
staying true to yourself in changing times & secrets
staying true to yourself in changing times
by Nancy Holyoke
illustrated by Brigette Barrager
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets
feelings rule
Drama. Don’t get me started.
My school is the biggest place for
drama. There’s schoolwork—tests,
homework, classes. There’s dating.
Who’s in and out. The feeling that other
people are against you. Some days I
feel like the whole world is watching
me look for a place to sit. It’s not fun.
—American Actress
38 39
the daily drama

Uh-oh. Katie sent a mean text Three hours after Bianca broke up with
to Maya from Liam’s Jason, Rachel was talking with him at the
Emma’s in tears because
phone. Maya yelled at bus stop. Now all the soccer girls are
Gracie and Anna were
him in the hall. saying mean stuff about Rachel online.
whispering together
on the bus.
Olivia is talking a mile a minute. Is she

happy? Is she mad? You don’t know.
But she’s excited, that’s for sure.
Ava sat next to

Aaliyah again at
lunch. Wait till
Lila finds out!
What’s with all the drama?

Everyone’s always excited about something. A problem that starts
between two people suddenly involves five. Then twenty. One crisis
Min-joo is still ignoring dies down and the next one starts. There are days you’d rather stay
Jasmine for spreading in bed with the cat than get up and deal with it all.
rumors about her, even People often use the word drama to describe making a big deal
though Jasmine told out of “nothing.” But conflicts about little things can really be about
her that Mikayla bullied big ones, and no drama feels small when you get dragged into it.
her into it. Drama changes how friends treat friends. It changes how you feel
about yourself. The fact is, living with daily drama is a very big deal.
40 41
tears
tears and
and fears
fears
I hate puberty! I’ve got so many emotions and I can’t control
I hate puberty!
them. I feel likeI’ve
my got so is
world many emotions
falling and I can’t control
apart. Help!
them. I feel like
—Kidnapped by my world is falling apart. Help!
Puberty
—Kidnapped by Puberty
You’re not alone! Most people feel torn up by emotions during puberty,
You’re
and not alone!
science Most people
says there’s feel torn
a very good up for
reason by emotions
that. during puberty,
and science says there’s a very good reason for that.
In puberty, a girl’s body produces chemicals called hormones. These
In puberty,create
hormones a girl’s physical
body produces
changeschemicals to hormones.
called
that are easy see. What youThese
don’t
hormones
see createsame
is that those physical changesare
hormones that areateasy
also worktoonsee. What
your you don’t
emotions. The
see is thatof
structure those
yoursamebrainhormones
is changing.are also
The wayat your
worknervous
on your system
emotions. The
works
structure
is changing.ofIt’s
yournotbrain is changing.
as obvious The way
as getting your
taller andnervous
curvier,system
but it’sworks
every
is changing.
bit as real. It’s not as obvious as getting taller and curvier, but it’s every
bit as real.
Getting ready in the morning used to take you five minutes. Now your
Getting ready
dad has to in the
knock on morning used to
the bathroom take
door toyou
getfive
youminutes.
away fromNow
theyour
mirror.
Those big, new emotions can get pretty confused by your physical dad has
You maytohave
knock
daysonwhen
the bathroom door toallget
you walk around dayyou awayoffrom
afraid the mirror.
the moment
Those big,Chances
changes. new emotions can never
are, you’ve get pretty
beenconfused by your
so aware of your body
physical
in your You may have
someone days
points whenat
a finger you walkyou’re
a flaw around all day
trying to afraid of the moment
hide. School feels dif-
changes.
entire Chances
life—or are, you’ve
so worried never
about howbeen so aware
others of your
see you. body in your
You compare your- someone
ferent. Youpoints
don’tawant
finger
toatstick
a flaw you’re
out. trying
You try hardtonothide.
toSchool feels dif-
make mistakes
entire
self life—or
with so worried
your friends. Youabout how others
may compare see you.
yourself withYou compare
models your-
and movie ferent. You don’t want to stick
and to save face when you do. out. You try hard not to make mistakes
self with
stars. Lotsyour friends.
of girls You their
become may compare yourself
own worst critics.with models and movie and to save face when you do.
stars. Lots of girls become their own worst critics. Along the way, you may start feeling like “you” is just a part you’re playing.
Along the
You’re way, you
changing may Who
so fast. start feeling
can telllike you are
who“you” is just a part you’re
anymore, playing.
anyway?
You’re changing so fast. Who can tell who you are anymore, anyway?
42 43
experiments Of course, everyone around you is struggling with the same feelings
and changes that you are. Friendships are shifting constantly, and
you’re all keeping track of the results.
Who are you? How do you fit in? Who do you want to be? Now that
Is Chloe getting popular? Is Maddy going Goth? Is Leah sitting with
your body is reinventing itself, you may think it’s a great chance to
the nerds? And what about you? Do you want to hang out with your
reinvent yourself in other ways, too.
new pals from band or the friends you’ve had since second grade? Do
you feel closer to Maria or to Lamae? And does Lamae feel closer to
you or to Josie?
School is harder. Activities are intense. And your parents aren’t around
the way they used to be to protect and guide you.
Put it in a pot and turn the heat on high. What do you get?
In some ways, it’s all a big experiment. Does this shirt seem like you?
What music do you want to hear? Do you really want to move up in
soccer, or would you rather switch it up and play more tennis? A few
years ago, your parents would have made a lot of these decisions.
Now they’re up to you.
You can also try on some of those strange feelings knocking around
inside your chest and see how they fit. What’s it like to get mad?
What’s it like to be romantic? How does it feel to cry? Just what are
all these different feelings really about?
44 45
One minute you’re upset with your friend Ashley. The

the problem next you’re grounded for yelling at your little sister.
Your brother calls you Hurricane Hannah, and in your
with drama heart of hearts you do feel sort of like a hurricane.
Moods are hard to shake. If you’re mad, hurt, and anxious at
school, chances are you’re going to be mad, hurt, and anxious
when you walk in the door at home. Drama with friends can create
drama at home, and drama at home can create drama with friends.
Bottom line: Drama makes more drama.
The drama between Zoey and Trinity has been going
three days straight. It’s a full-time job keeping up.
You finally managed to settle in to work on your Last month, Sophia decided she didn’t like Amber
presentation, but every time you get an idea, and said you should stop liking Amber, too. Today
another text pings in. Sophia said a bunch of bad stuff about Saskia. What
if Sophia decides to stop liking Saskia?
Drama is crisis. It asks all you can give and then some. You get less
sleep at night and less done during the day, and the emotional When kids create drama, other people get hurt. For some, the
ups and downs are exhausting. You could be learning to dance, hurt is public and agonizing, but no one walks away free. In
working at a soup kitchen, or biking around the lake. Instead instances like this, a single girl can poison an entire group by
you’re caught up in a drama that you can’t really do much about creating an atmosphere of fear, jealousy, and shame. Friends
and that doesn’t directly involve you. who should be open and free with one another get guarded.
Bottom line: Drama can eat up your life. There’s more plotting and planning. There’s less trust. There’s
less truth. What you share becomes the exact opposite of what
we all want from the word “friendship.”
Bottom line: Drama hurts people and friendships.
Yesterday you told Jaycee your secret. Now she’s
told it to Taylor. Jaycee is evil. She’s ruined your
whole life. When you’re with your friends, you feel fake.
It’s natural for a girl to try on different clothes, different ideas,
When you’re in a drama, you’re so full of feelings—betrayal,
and different ways of expressing herself. There’s a little bit of
fury, fear, sadness—that the world seems black and white.
acting mixed up with all that, which is perfectly natural, too.
People and events seem either very, very right or very, very
It’s about discovering who you are and what kind of person you
wrong. But in real life not every problem is a catastrophe,
want to become. The problem is that most girls are nervous
and a friend who’s made a mistake isn’t evil. When you have
about what other people think. Drama expresses those fears.
a problem with a friend, you need to think and plan in order
It also makes them bigger. Louder. Girls dealing with daily
to fix it. Does drama help? Just the opposite.
drama may end up worrying more about how they appear than
Bottom line: Drama’s a warped view of the world. how they truly are and what they truly feel. That can make a
person feel hollow—and very lonely.
Bottom line: A girl can get lost in drama.
A DV E RT I S E M E N T
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets

Worry
how to feel less stressed and have more fun
Worry
how to feel less stressed
and have more fun
by Judy Woodburn and Nancy Holyoke
illustrated by Brenna Vaughan
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Worry
all stressed
out
I probably
spend half my
life worrying.
–Savannah
50 51
tied up in knots ugh

at my haircut?
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they show up one by one. Other times they may start pouring in so fast n
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Not so. There are girls all around who know exactly how it feels because
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the truth is, a lot of girls struggle with worry.

m
se
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t if
Wha
52 53
why all the Life is changing.

Friendships can be complicated. There’s more drama, more gossip,
worry? Life is packed.

School, piano lessons, soccer
matches, clubs, mathalons,
more tension in the lunchroom. At the same time, your body is
changing. The “you” you are today may not feel at all like the one
you were last year. Lots of girls worry about what comes next.
Experts say kids worry more Will my breasts start growing soon? What if my period starts
performances, family events.
these days than in the past. in the middle of dance class? Your body will do exactly what it’s
You’re forever rushing off to
It’s not hard to see why. supposed to, but it will have its own unpredictable timetable.
do the next thing. Chances
are, even if you’re alone in
your room, things are hopping.
Phones ring. Texts ping in.
Your world is getting bigger.
Nothing ever settles down. You are building your independence. More and more, you’re
It’s hard to relax. venturing out of the cozy cocoon your parents watched over
when you were little. You’re deciding more things for yourself.
It’s exciting, but a bit scary. You’re not always certain what to do.
The pressure’s on.
School is more demanding.
There’s more homework, more Things feel less safe.
classes, more teachers—and Weather disasters, wars in distant countries, unsafe schools.
more pressure to do well. And Bad news can be worrisome even for adults. For kids who
that’s not to mention the are just beginning to pay attention, it may be plain scary.
pressure to do well in sports What kind of world are you stepping into anyway?
and other areas of life. Argh!
There are always problems.

Of course, there are plenty of things closer to home that a
girl might have good reason to worry about, too. One girl may
have a loved one who’s sick. Another may be anxious about
arguments in the family. Money problems. Marriage problems.
It’s a lucky girl who doesn’t have at least some family concerns
on her list. And as if that weren’t enough . . .
Worry can be contagious.

If adults or others around her tend to worry about things,
a girl can pick up the worry habit. A girl whose aunt shrinks
from meeting new people, or whose dad is too frightened to
fly on airplanes, might learn to be anxious—not only about
those specific things but about other things, too.
Add it up.
A day has only 24 hours, but for a lot of
girls that means a bajillion opportunities
to worry about something.
54 55
1. Anxiety focuses
when you worry your thoughts on
the danger. I’ve got to get
Anxiety is normal. It’s your brain and body’s built-in alarm system,
away! Suddenly, you can’t
and it has only one job: to protect you. Back when humans wore
think of anything else. Not.
animal hides and lived in caves, this alarm system helped your
One. Single. Other. Thing.
ancestors escape from hungry animals.
When something sets off the alarm, anxiety gets you ready to . . .
fight freeze so run

back or you won’t or
away.
be noticed
To do this, anxiety affects you in three ways.
2. Anxiety
revs up your
body and changes
how you feel. Your
heart beats faster and
your muscles tense up.
Is your skin sweaty? Is your
3. Anxiety can affect stomach tied in knots? Do
your legs feel like rubber
what you do in an instant.
bands? That’s anxiety
A heartbeat ago, you were
at work, too.
strolling through the woods,
humming along to your
favorite song. And
az y!
running like cr
now you are . . .
The anxiety alarm can still kick in even if you’re not fleeing wild animals.
An ordinary thing like a visit to the dentist can set it off if you’re worried
enough. And the science test Mr. Baake is giving—the one that counts
for a third of your grade? Or the party that your karate teammate is
throwing—where you’re sure you won’t know a soul? Those could trip
the alarm, too.
Anxiety is your own personal bodyguard. It rallies to keep you safe
from anything that’s scary to you.
56 57
go, fight, u s y !
G et b
win! !
f o c u s e d
Stay
Do your best!
So when you’re worried, maybe you can put those feelings
to use. Try asking yourself: “What, exactly, is nagging at me?
Is there something I can do about it?”
If you feel like you ate a bowl of butterflies two days before
the Spanish vocabulary quiz, that feeling might be telling
you to put away your MP3 player and get out the flash cards.
That headache you get whenever you think about your piano
recital or a swim meet might be reminding you to practice a
little more, try a little harder.
No girl likes the way she feels If there’s something you can do about what’s worrying you,
when she’s worried or afraid. the surest cure is to just do it. Now. If worry can get you
But anxiety isn’t all bad. going, it’s on your side.
When worry focuses your
thoughts, it can help you zero in
on anything that’s really important
at home or school. When it revs
up your body, it can give you a
burst of energy.
The good thing about worry is
that it can push you to do what
needs to get done.
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Worry


everything you need to know
about adventuring near and far
Travel
about adventuring near and far
by Aubre Andrus
illustrated by Stevie Lewis
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel
why do we
travel? To try new
foods
To see
history
come m e th in g th at might seem
To do so n
to life ds up being fu
scary—but en
To learn what
we
have in comm
on
To experience a
culture different
from our own To see beautiful
places and
famous sights
To meet people
we’ve only read
or heard about
To learn about ourselves and others
62 63
Creating a list of dream destinations is a fun Display your

travel
travel
Creating
way a list of
to record
way toofrecord
track what you
dream
your
yourwant
destinations
experiences
experiences
is a fun
and keep
and keep
to see. Your list can
Display
travel dreams
travel
your
Instead of adreams
list, create a
dreams
dreams
track
be
can
as of
bigwhat
be asalways
can always
your
or asyou
big oradd
wholeadd
want
small
as small
to it. as
life to
to see.
as you’d Your
like, andlist
you’d like,you
Remember,
it. Remember,
ahead
you
andhave
of you! you have
you
can Instead
piece ofof
piece of
room
arta to
list,display
artwill
that
wanderlust,
room that will
createina your
to inspire
displayyour
or inspire
in your
thirst your
your whole life ahead of you! wanderlust,
for adventure.or thirst
for adventure.
Here are somee id eas Vision board

He re ar e so
u st eas
idd:
marte Vision board
to ge t yo Create a vision board with
to get you started: Create aofvision
photos
photos of all to
board
all the with
places
theone
places
you’d
day.you’d
• See the ten most famous like to travel Find
• Visit all fifty states moson
in per st famous like to travel
images onlinetoand
oneprint
day.them.
Find
thegsten
paintin
• See
• Visit all fifty states images
Glue online
them ontoand print them.
a poster or pin
• Walk on seven continents paintings in person
nts • Swim in all five of the Glue them
them onto a poster
to a bulletin board. or pin
• Walk on seven contine ans of the
• Road-trip from the m in
world’
• Swi all five
s oce them to a bulletin board.
Eastd-t
• Roa Coa tomthe
ripstfro the world’s oceans
WetstCoa
Eas Coaststto the • Travel to 100 countries
• Travel to 100 countries
We Coast
st
• Identify every country
• Go scuba diving World map
on ntif
• Ide a ma y pevery country • Go scuba diving World map
Attach a map of the world
• Hike some of Attach
or a map of
the United the world
States to a
on a map som
theetall
• Hik este of
• Ride a train across Europe ests
or the United
bulletin board.States
Use twoto a
mount
the tallain
• Ride a train across Europe bulletin board.
different colorsUse two
of thumb-
• Live in a foreign country unt rld
in the
mo ain
wo s
different
tacks colors
to pin the of thumb-
places you
• Live in a foreign country in the world tacksvisited
have to pin as
thewell
places you
as the
• See penguins • Learn another language
pen guins
wild • Learn another language have visited
places you’d as well
like to as the
visit.
in the
• See
• Visit your state’s places you’d like to visit.
in the wild
• Visit every baseball stadium youbui
capititol
• Vis r sta
ldinte’s
g
it eve
in the
• Vis basSta
Unryited ll stadium
ebates capitol building How to visit
in the United States
• See a lion, elephant,
, ele
, leo
a lion nt,
d, and
parpha
How to visitplaces
imaginary
• See the New Seven buffalo
• See
Wonde
• See thersNe SevWo
ofwthe en rld oce,ros
rhinfalo
buf leoonparand, and imaginary
Your favorite books,places
movies, and TV
Wonders of the Worldthe oceros
African
rhin safa on
ri an Your favorite
shows books, movies,
were probably inspiredand TV
by real
• Take in the view from African safari shows were
places probably
that you inspired
can actually by today.
visit real
world’
• Tak view
tallest
e ins the buifro mgsthe
ldin • Explore your city— places
For that you
example, canare
there actually visit
a lot of today.
cool
world’s tallest buildingsall 59 bike!
lorer you
on you
• Exp r city—
• Camp in For example, there
wizard-themed are alocations
filming lot of cool
in the
on your bike! wizard-themed
United Kingdomfilming locations
and lots in the
of fun filming
U.S. p
• Cam nat allal59
inion • Visit the moon
par.ksnational
U.S (Heity,the
• Vis moldon
it cou United
sites in Kingdom
Los Angelesandand
lotsNew
of fun filming
York. To
parks hapy,pen
(He could
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Angelesonline
and New York. To
for “filming
• Photograph every waterfall happen!) find them, and
locations” search
theonline
name for “filming
of your fave
in you
• Pho stahteevery waterfall
togrrap locations”
movie and
or TV the name of your fave
show.
in your state movie or TV show.
64 65
Quiz
3. You’re at a friend’s house for
dinner and her parents serve
you something you’ve never
how adventurous seen before. You . . .
a. ask what it is and what it’s
are you? made from.
b. take a few bites. Who knows?
When it comes to the unknown, do you test the waters or dive right in? You might like it.
c. politely say, “No, thank you.”
1. Your friend got a new video game
for her birthday and she invites you
over to play. You’ve never played
before so you . . .
a. ask her what the game is like.
4. Something you
would never do is . . .
b. say yes right away. a. scuba diving,
c. see if she’d be willing to play but you would
something you know instead. try snorkeling.
b. you don’t know—
2. You’re standing in front of a big pool and you know the water will you’ll try anything
be cold. You . . . once!
a. wait for a friend to jump in first and tell you how freezing it feels. c. skydiving. It looks
b. are the first to take the plunge! terrifying!
c. slowly wade into the pool by taking the stairs.
5. Your parents signed you up

for a sleepaway camp this
summer and you won’t know
anyone. You . . .
a. totally freak out but once
you learn more about it,
you start to get excited.
b. are looking forward to
making some new friends.
c. beg your friends to sign
up too so you won’t have
to go alone.
66 67
Answers
6. Your best friend speaks Answers
If you picked mostly a’s, you’re open to
6. Your best
Spanish at friend
home.speaks
You . . . ¡Eres If you picked
adventure. Youmostly a’s, you’re
are thoughtful andopen to
a good
Spanish at home. You . . .
a. ask her to teach you a ¡Eres
increíble! adventure. You
researcher. Before arediving
thoughtful and a good
into something
increíble! researcher.
new, Before
you want divingexactly
to know into something
what you’re
a. few
ask her to teach you a
words. new, youinto.
getting want to know
It makes youexactly what you’re
feel more
few words.
b. surprise her by learning getting into. ItAnd
comfortable. makes younot
that’s feel morething.
a bad
b. how
surprise her“You’re
to say, by learning comfortable.
You know what And youthat’s
like not
and awhat
bad you
thing.
don’t
how to say, “You’re
awesome!” You but
like, know whatpush
you’ll you your
like and what
limits you don’t
occasionally.
awesome!” like, but
When it you’ll
comespush your limits
to travel, a touroccasionally.
group might
c. are amazed because When
be it comes
perfect to travel,
for you. a tour groupguide
A knowledgeable might
c. learning
are amazed because
another language be perfect
will show youfortheyou.way
A knowledgeable
so you can feelguide
learning another language
sounds really hard. will show youknowing
comfortable the way you’re
so youincan feelhands.
good
sounds really hard. comfortable knowing you’re in good hands.
7. A new kid in your class has lived If you picked mostly b’s, you’re a full-
7. Aallnew
overkid
theinworld
your class has his
because lived If you picked
blown
blownYou’re
dent.
mostly
adventurer!
adventurer!
b’s,brave
You’re
You’re
not afraid
you’re
to brave
anda full-
and
try new
confi-
confi-
things or
all over
mom wastheinworld becauseYou
the military. his. . .
dent.
go to You’re
a placenot afraid
you’ve to try
never newYou
been. things
likeor
to
mom was in the military. You . . .
a. like to hear stories about go to
say a place
yes! you’vehow
No matter never been.
much You
you dolike to
or see,
a. what
like tohis
hear stories
other about
schools say yes!
you No matter
are open howexperience.
to a new much you do or see,
You’re
what like.
were his other schools you with
OK are open
takingtothe
a new
leadexperience.
and wanderingYou’reoff
were like. OK with
the beatentaking
path.the lead itand
When wandering
comes off
to travel,
b. have a million questions for the beaten
you’d enjoypath. When
planning it comes
a trip to travel,
from start to
b. have a million
him—what questions
a cool for
experience! you’d on
finish enjoy planning
your a trip from
own—leaving start
plenty oftotime
him—what a cool experience!
c. can’t even imagine moving finish
to on your
explore, own—leaving
of course. Remember plenty
toof time
enjoy
c. can’t
around even imagineNo
so much. moving
thanks! to explore,
the current of course.instead
moment Remember to enjoy
of getting too
around so much. No thanks! the current
caught up inmoment
the nextinstead of getting too
big adventure.
caught up in the next big adventure.
8. When you’re an adult, If you picked mostly c’s, you’re a begin-

8. you’d
Whenlike
you’re
to .an
. . adult,
If
ner
ner
it
you
explorer.
comes
mostly
picked You’re
explorer.
You’renew
to trying
c’s, reluctant
a little
a little
things.
you’re a begin-
reluctant
Your first
when
when
you’d like to . . .
a. get an apartment in it comes istousually
reaction trying no
newbecause
things. Your
you likefirstto
a. agetbigancity.
apartment in reaction
stay is usually
in your comfortno zone—and
because youthat’s like toOK.
a big city. stayevery
But in your comfort
once zone—and
in a while, it’s goodthat’s
to dipOK.
b. study abroad in
But every
your toe inonce in a while,
the water. More it’soften
goodthanto dip
b. another
study abroad in
country.
youryou’ll
not, toe indiscover
the water.thatMore often than
something new
another country.
c. live in the same not,
is you’ll something
actually discover that yousomething new
love. But you’ll
c. neighborhood
live in the samewhere is actually
never knowsomething
unless youyou try!love.
StartBut you’ll
small by
neighborhood
you grew up. where never know
visiting unless library,
a museum, you try!orStart parksmall
that by
you grew up. visiting never
you’ve a museum,
been tolibrary, or park
or tasting that
a food
you’ve never been to or tasting a food
tried before.
you’ve never tried before.
68 69
be
prepared What bag
should I
bring?
A fun part of travel is the prepping

and planning beforehand.
Do I need a
passport?
ll we go?
Where wi
How will we
get there?
What will we do?
What will Where will

I wear? we stay?
What will we eat?
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel


w
kno t in g
wha knowing
to sa y knowing
what
what
finding the
totosay
say
words to fit
any situation
finding the
finding the
words to fit
words to fit
any situation
any situation
by Patti Kelley Criswell
by Pattiillustrated
Kelley Criswell
by Angela Martini
illustrated by Angela Martini
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Knowing What to Say
small
talk
“We were just making small
talk.” This saying means the
conversation was easy and light.
With small talk, you’re not shar-
ing your deepest, darkest secrets,
but it’s still an important part
of everyday conversation. Small
talk says that I want to know you
better, that I care about you, and
that what you say matters.
74 75
25 things to say 25 questions to know

after “hi” someone better
Imagine that you want to start a conversation with the girl waiting next Now imagine that you’ve talked to this girl a few times before, and you
to you at the city bus stop, but you don’t know what to say. After saying think you have a lot in common. Try these questions to get to know her
hi, try one of these questions to get the talk going. even better.
1. I’m (your name). What’s your name? 1. When is your birthday? 2. Have you ever tried
2. How’s it going? 3. What school do you go to? out for a sport? 3. What’s your favorite color? 4. Have you
4. I’m in fifth grade. What grade are you in? 5. Do you take ever won anything? 5. Are you nervous about middle school?
this bus often? 6. Do you ever bring an MP3 player to listen to? High school? 6. Do you like to cook? 7. Have you ever lived in a
7. Want to play a game while we wait? 8. Have you seen (the latest different state? Country? 8. Who is your favorite teacher? Why?
movie)? 9. I wish I had brought my book. Do you like to read? 9. Do you collect anything? 10. What’s your biggest fear?
10. Can you believe how (hot/rainy/cold) it is? 11. I thought I’d be 11. Do you know what you want to be next Halloween? 12. Do you
late. Have you been here long? 12. So, what do you like to do when have any vacations coming up? 13. Where’s your favorite place
you’re not waiting for buses? 13. Tonight (a TV show) is on. Do you to hang out with your friends? 14. How many people are in your
ever watch that? 14. Would you like a piece of gum? 15. I have a ton family? 15. Do you have a favorite singer? 16. Have you ever got-
of homework. Does your teacher assign a lot of work? 16. I love your ten lost? What did you do? 17. Do you have your own computer
(something she’s wearing). Is it your favorite color? 17. Do you know at home? 18. What’s your favorite thing to do? 19. Do you have
what time it is? 18. I can’t wait for the weekend. I’m (give a detail your own room? 20. What’s your favorite show? 21. Do you have a
about your plans). How about you? 19. I’m excited to get home to dream job? 22. Do you like to ride on roller coasters? 23. Do you
my new puppy. Do you have pets? 20. Have you lived here long? ever write poems or stories? 24. What kind of books do you like
21. I love your hair. Did you braid it yourself? 22. Want to sit together? to read? 25. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
23. Do you think the bus will be late today? 24. Do you ride the
school bus, too? 25. Where are you going today?
76 77
what to say
what to say
when
when you’re
you’re the
the Share your point of view
new
new girl
girl
Share
Sharing
yourthoughts,
Sharing your
your
friendship
friendship
point of
thoughts,
grow.
grow.
view and opinions about things will help your
feelings,
feelings,
By giving
By giving
and opinions
your point
your point
about letting
of view, you’re
of view, you’re
things will
letting
helpget
others
others
know you, and by speaking up, you’re allowing your confidence to shine.
your
get
to
to
Starting a conversation takes courage. But here’s the thing—it only takes know you, and by speaking up, you’re allowing your confidence to shine.
Starting a conversation
one sentence to get thetakes courage.
talk going. So But
starthere’s
with the
yourthing—it only
name and an takes
easy
one sentence
question. Thentosee
getwhere
the talk going.
things go.So start with
It looks your name and an easy
like this:
question. Then see where things go. It looks like this: I love the new
I love the
school new
mascot!
If you’re new in school I’m Angela. How’s
school
What do mascot!
you think
If
andyou’re
wantnew in school
to meet girls I’m Angela.
it going? OK if IHow’s
sit here?
and want to meet girls
at lunch: What do
of the new you think
colors?
it going? OK if I sit here?
at lunch: of the new colors?
If you just arrive at camp and Hi! I’m Christina.

If youinjust
walk thearrive
cabin at
to camp and
find three So areHi!
theI’m Christina.
bunks first come,
walk
setsinofthe cabin
eyes to find
staring three
at you: So are the bunks
first first come,
served?
sets of eyes staring at you: first served?
This is the best book

Thisread
I’ve is the best
this book
year. I’d
If your teacher puts Hi, guys! I’m Olivia.
I’ve read
love thiswhat
to know year.you
I’d
If your
you on ateacher putsto
committee IHi, guys!
love I’m Olivia.
to read, so this
I love toberead, love to Would
think. know what you
you like
you on alibrary
choose committee to
books: should a lotso
of this
fun.
choose library books: should be a lot of fun. think.
to Would
borrowyouit? like
to borrow it?
If you join a club, and you’re I’m Samantha,

If you to
asked join a club,
tell and you’re
everyone a little I’mI have
I’m 11, Samantha,
one sister,
asked to tell everyone
about yourself: a little I’m 11, I have oneviolin.
and I play the sister,
about yourself: and I play the violin.
BIG IMPORTANT POINT

BIGoneIMPORTANT
Part POINT is having a point of view. But
of being confident
Take it slow. Never share private information until you know the Part
part one is really
two of being caring
confident is having
about a point
what others of view.
think. But
So after
Take it slow.
person Never share private information until you know the
better. part two
you’ve is really
shared, caring
invite about
others to what
share,others
too. think. So after
person better. you’ve shared, invite others to share, too.
78 79
what to say
what to say Chitchatting Clues
when
when someone
someone
Chitchatting
Having
Having
Clues
a tough time
around ayou
tough
andtime
getting the conversation started? Try this: Look
find getting the
a person, conversation
place, started?
or thing to Try this:
talk about. Now, Look
strike
else
else is
is new
new
around you and find
up a conversation. a person,
Check place,examples.
out these or thing to talk about. Now, strike
up a conversation. Check out these examples.
Take the time to talk with someone new. If you’ve ever been “the new I’ve never been on
Take the time
girl,” you knowto talkmuch
how with it
someone
matters.new. If you’ve
So when you ever been
get the “the new
chance to I’veairplane
never been on
an before.
girl,” you someone’s
brighten know how much it matters.
day—take it. So when you get the chance to
an airplane before.
Have you?
brighten someone’s day—take it.
Have you?
If you want to meet
Hi, I’m Bethany. Are you
If you want
a new to meet
girl, and she
Hi, I’m Bethany.
finding Are OK?
everything you
a looks
new girl, and
really she
shy:
finding everything OK?
looks really shy:
If you want to meet the new girl Hi, I’m Leigh.

Ifon
you
thewant to meet
soccer team,the
butnew girl
you’re WhatHi,position
I’m Leigh.
do you
onnot
thesure
soccer team,
what but
to say toyou’re
her: Whatlike
position do you
to play? I love horses.
not sure what to say to her: like to play? I Do
loveyou
horses.
like
Dotoyou like
ride?
to ride?
If you want to invite the new Do you want to go with me

If you
girl want
to get to inviteoutside
together the newof Do youschool
to the want tocarnival
go withthis
me
girlschool
to getfor
together outside
the first time: of to the school
weekend? It’scarnival this
always fun.
school for the first time: weekend? It’s always fun.
If you want to welcome Hi, I’m Kasia. Today we’re making Nice racket.
If you want
a new girltotowelcome
your Hi,raffia
I’m Kasia. Today
flowers. we’re
Would youmaking
like Nice
Hey, racket.
would you
ascouting
new girl troop:
to your raffia
to sit with Ella and me?like
flowers. Would you Hey,
likewould you
to play
scouting troop: to sit with Ella and me? like to play
sometime?
sometime?
If the new girl in class Nice to meet you, Alex.

Ifis
the new girlasinyour
assigned class Niceyou
Have to meet you,toAlex.
ever had make
isscience
assigned as your
partner: Have you ever had to make
invisible ink before?
science partner: invisible ink before?
80 81
what to say
If
If you’re
you’re waiting
waiting for
for class
class to
to start
start and
and your
your art
art teacher
teacher asks,
when talking “Are you
“Are you ready
Instead
Instead of
ready to
of this:
to make
make clay
this: “OK.”
clay flowers
flowers today?”
today?”
asks,
with adults
“OK.”
I’m
I’m excited.
excited. My
My mom
mom has
has aa flower
flower garden,
garden,
Say
Say this:
this: so
so I already have ideas that I want to
I already have ideas that I want to try.
try.
Adults
Adults can
can be
be intimidating,
intimidating, but
but it’s
it’s simple
simple to
to make
make small
small talk
talk if
if you
you really
really
listen
listen to what the adult is asking. Then add to the conversation with aa bit
to what the adult is asking. Then add to the conversation with bit
more
more information
information or
or by
by asking
asking aa question.
question.
If
If aa woman
woman in
in your
your mother’s
mother’s book
book club
club sees
sees you
you and
and asks,
asks,
If
If the
the uncle
uncle you
you haven’t
haven’t seen
seen since
since you
you were
were aa little
little kid
kid asks,
asks, “Gabriella, do you like to read?”
“Gabriella, do you like to read?”
“What have you been doing for fun lately?”
“What have you been doing for fun lately?” Instead
Instead of
of this:
this: “Uh-huh.”
“Uh-huh.”
Instead
Instead of
of this:
this: “Not
“Not much.”
much.”
II read
read all
all kinds
kinds of
of books,
books, but
but II love
love graphic
graphic
Say
Say this:
this:
II joined novels.
novels. Have you ever read one of those?
Have you ever read one of those?
joined aa travel
travel soccer
soccer team—
team—
Say
that’s
that’s been fun. Mom said you went
been fun. Mom said you went to
to Spain.
Spain.
Say this:
this:
What was that like?
What was that like?
If
If your
your neighbor
neighbor is
is working
working in
in her
her garden
garden and
and asks,
asks,
“What have
“What have your
your parents
parents been
been up
up to
to lately?”
lately?”
Instead
Instead of
of this:
this: “I
“I don’t
don’t know.”
know.”
If
If your
your great-aunt
great-aunt says,
says, “Look
“Look how
how much
much you’ve
you’ve grown!”
grown!” Mom’s
Mom’s busy
busy with
with work,
work, and
and Dad’s
Dad’s
Say
Say this:
this:
Instead cleaning out the garage.
Instead of
of this:
this: “I
“I guess.”
guess.” cleaning out the garage.
Yeah,
Yeah, I’ve
I’ve grown
grown out
out of
of my
my clothes
clothes
Say
Say this:
this: this
this year. The doctor says I’m going to
year. The doctor says I’m going to be
be
taller than Mom.
taller than Mom.
If
If your
your friend’s
friend’s dad
dad asks,
asks, “So
“So what
what are
are you
you two
two hard
hard at
at work
work on?”
on?” A TIP
Instead
Instead of
of this:
this: “Homework.”
“Homework.” When someone asks you a question, it’s important that you say some-
When someone asks you a question, it’s important that you say some-
thing
thing other
other than
than “good”
“good” or
or “nothing.”
“nothing.” If
If you
you don’t
don’t have
have much
much to
to say,
say,
Carly ask a question. Questions help move the conversation back and forth
Carly and
and II have
have to
to do
do homework
homework about
about ask a question. Questions help move the conversation back and forth
Mexico, so like
like aa ball
ball in
in aa tennis
tennis match—only
match—only in
in the
the end,
end, you’re
you’re both
both winners.
winners.
Say
Say this:
this: Mexico, so we’re
we’re looking
looking for
for pictures
pictures in
in
these old
these old travel
travel magazines.
magazines.
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Knowing What to Say


lik in g
he rs el f Liking
—even on the bad days
the secrets to trusting yourself, being your best
Herself
& never letting the bad days bring you down —even on the bad days
the secrets to trusting yourself,
being your best & never letting
the bad days bring you down
by Dr. Laurie Zelinger

illustrated by Jennifer Kalis
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Liking Herself
self-esteem:
the basics
86 87
Quiz
what is self-esteem?
Self-esteem is a feeling. It’s the opinion you have about yourself. Some
people call it self-image, self-concept, or self-confidence. Whatever it’s
called, it’s all about how much you like who you are.
self-esteem stoplight
Take this quiz and see what lights up on your self-esteem traffic light.
Self-esteem is not something that you can see on an X-ray or find out
about from a blood test. It’s not a special place in your body that a 1. As you head to the cafeteria for lunch, you think,
doctor can feel or listen to when she examines you. Your self-esteem a. I really hope someone will sit by me today so that I don’t have to
is part of you, but it’s not an actual body part. It’s the big idea you have eat alone again.
about yourself that you carry with you in your heart and in your head.
b. I like eating with Amanda, but sometimes I wish we could sit at a
more crowded table.
Your self-esteem is like a little voice that says:
c. I can hardly wait until lunch so that I can hang out with my
friends. They’re saving me a seat.
Give it a try! 2. You think your new haircut looks horrible. Before school, you . . .
a. pretend you’re sick so that you can stay home and hide.
You’re terrific!
b. pack a hat in your backpack and start counting down the days
until your next haircut.
c. accessorize your hair with a headband and make the best of it.
After all, working with a new style takes some practice.
Maybe you’ll be able to 3. You walk into school and one of the popular girls says, “I like
do it, because you’ve done your owl shirt!” You . . .
hard things before! But if a. decide she is just being sarcastic.
you can’t, it’s no big deal—
you can always try again b. respond, “Who? Me?”
another time. c. smile and say, “Thanks! Isn’t it a hoot?”
When your self-esteem is high, you know

you can do all kinds of things. When your
self-esteem is low, you think you can’t. If
you like yourself a lot, you probably have
high self-esteem and a good self-image. But
if you always find things wrong with yourself,
you might have low self-esteem and decide
new things aren’t even worth trying.
88 89
4. Soccer tryouts are coming up. You decide that you’ll . . . Answers
a. never make the team, so there’s no point in trying out.
b. try out in hopes that the coach will put you in any position, even Red Light
though you secretly have always wanted to play goalie. If you answered mostly a’s, your low
c. start practicing at home with your sister. Your skills need work, self-esteem is stopping you from being
but you’d never forgive yourself if you didn’t at least try. your best. You feel stuck all by yourself,
which makes it easy to envy those around
5. The class bully tells you to move your books from “her spot.” You . . . you who are having tons of fun. Even
though your confidence needs a jump
a. move your stuff faster than the speed of light. start, there’s still hope! With a little work,
you’ll soon be traveling down the road
b. roll your eyes in annoyance at her but then move your books to toward becoming the person you have
avoid starting any trouble.
always wanted to be.
c. keep your books where they are and politely remind her that you
were there first.
Yellow Light
6. It’s Friday afternoon and you’re thinking about the weekend. You . . . If you answered mostly b’s, your shaky
self-esteem has you putting on the
a. decide that since no one has asked you to do anything, you’ll just brakes. You know what you want, but you
hang out by yourself. don’t always have the guts to go after
b. watch TV and decide you’ll head outside if you see the girl next it. Instead of standing strong and stat-
door playing in her yard. ing your opinion, you tend to follow the
leader and blend in with traffic. Sure, it’s
c. invite the new girl on the block over for pizza and a movie with good to compromise sometimes, but if
you and your sister.
you don’t share what you really think, you
won’t feel confident enough to speed
ahead.
Green Light
If you answered mostly c’s, you’re ready
to go! Your batteries are charged up with
confidence and high self-esteem. You
think for yourself and stand up for what
you believe in. Even though you’re usually
sure of yourself, beware of times when
you’re caught off guard and need some
reminders to get back on the high self-
esteem track.
90 91
what does self-esteem

look like?
Even though your self-esteem is something inside you, the world can see On the flip side, a person with low self-esteem may seem like a droopy
it through your body language. In most situations, a person with high self- puppet hanging from loose strings. Her head and shoulders hang down,
esteem looks confident and takes pride in the things she does. That may and she has trouble looking people in the eyes. She sometimes appears
mean that she stands up straight, walks with her head up and shoulders as if she wants to hide from the rest of the world.
back, makes eye contact when talking and listening to people, smiles, and
appears comfortable in most situations.
Head held Head bent

high down, face
Chin partly
Smiling tucked hidden
Full face Shoulders Shoulders

showing relaxed hunched
Arms
covering
Back
body
straight
Standing
strong Feet
turned in
High Self-Esteem Low Self-Esteem
92 93
where does self-

esteem come from?
The simple answer is that your self-esteem comes from within you. But
it’s really more complicated than that.
Your self-esteem has been building since you were a baby. It comes from
all the things that have happened to you as you’ve grown. As you get
older, your self-esteem continues to grow with you, changing with each
new experience. Although much of your self-esteem is formed from
experiences with others, such as family, teachers, and friends, in the end,
it is your responsibility. How you take care of yourself, the choices you
make, and the goals you set all play a big part in determining your self-
esteem.
Whenever you try something new or hard, you are improving your
self-esteem, whether or not you succeed. And if you do this new
thing well, your self-esteem takes another step up. The bottom line:
You just have to keep trying!
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Liking Herself


a n ding
underst es understanding
Fa m i l i
feelings,
Families
fighting &
feelings, fighting
figuring it out
& figuring it out
by Amy Lynch
illustrated by Maike Plenzke
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Understanding Families
your
family
Who tucked you in at night when you
were little? Who remembers the first time
you rode your bike or hit a softball?
YOUR FAMILY.
Your family is still here for you. And that’s

great—because it’s easier to take the changes
life throws your way when you’re surrounded
by people who love you. The secret is learning
to understand your family and the changes
they are going through, too.
98 99
family basics
There’s no magic recipe for a family. Families can be made up of all List the names of your family members here, and write
kinds of ingredients. And when those ingredients are mixed together, one positive trait that you like about each person.
the result is always unique.
Name:
The family in your life today might be like this:
:
about this person
Something I like
My family recipe
arents
• two sets of grandp
Name:
• two parents
:
• my brother Something I like
about this person
• my dog, Frank
or this:
Name:
:
about this person
Something I like
e
ily recip
My fam
er
y g ra ndmoth
•m
rent
• my pa Name:
pmom
• my ste n d stepsis
ter
th e r a about this pers on:
• my bro half bro
ther Something I like
w b a b y
• my ne
You may live with your family all in one home, or you may split your
Name:
time between your parents’ homes. It doesn’t matter—you’re all still
FAMILY. :
about this person
Something I like
100 101
Pretend you happen to overhear your parent on the phone describing

you to someone you’ve never met. What would she or he say? Don’t
BIG truth
think about this too hard—just jot down three or four words.
You are changing.
What are some good words your brother

or sister would use to describe you?
When you were younger, you would have listed different words from
those you just wrote to describe yourself. Look at the words on your
lists. Put an X next to words that are different from what you would
have written a year ago. Those words show that you’re changing.
102 103
looking back
How have you changed during the past year? Maybe you
joined a team or a club, discovered you like to speak
Mandarin, or learned to skateboard.
Three things I can do now that

In horseback riding I couldn’t do a year ago:
I moved last year, I can canter and jump
and that changed me.
Now I know I can deal
now. Those things took 1.
courage to learn.
with new things, even
if at first I don’t
—Courtney, age 11
like them.
—Katie, age 10
I’m at a much more
advanced reading level
than I was last year,
2.
and I learned to do
a back walkover.
—Liana, age 9
3.
104 105
green
green light?
light?
By now you understand that you are changing, and fast—so fast that
By nowlike
you’re youa understand
traffic light that
stuckyou
on are changing,
green for go. and fast—so fast that
you’re like a traffic light stuck on green for go.
More than anything, your parents want to keep you safe. If you want to
Moreyour
ride thanbike
anything,
to the your
storeparents
or go towant to keep
a movie withyou safe.
your If youyou
friends, want to
may
ride your bike to the store or go to a movie with your friends,
think, “Fun!” But your parents may say, “I don’t know about this.” Then you may
think, “Fun!”
again, they may Butsay,
your parents
“Go for it!”may say, “I don’t know about this.” Then
again, they may say, “Go for it!”
No matter which signal your parents give you, nothing seems the
No
samematter which
as it was lastsignal your maybe
year—or parentseven
give last
you,week.
nothing seems the
same as it was last year—or maybe even last week.
Every time you change, your family changes in some way, too.
Everyif time
See theseyou change,fityour
examples yourfamily changes in some way, too.
family:
See if these examples fit your family:
• You understand jokes now, so your parents tell you more jokes.
• You understand jokes now, so your parents tell you more jokes.
• You are stronger, so your big sister or brother plays basketball
• against
You areyou stronger,
more so your big sister or brother plays basketball
seriously.
against you more seriously.
• You are more responsible, so your family depends on you more.
• You are more responsible, so your family depends on you more.
This is exciting for you! But your mom or dad may act like a yellow • You are better at making decisions and taking care of yourself,
This isorexciting for you! • You are parents
so your better atletmaking decisions
you make more and taking care of yourself,
choices.
light even a red one, But your for
signaling mom orto
you dad may
slow act like
down a yellow
or stop.
light or even a red one, signaling for you to slow down or stop. so your parents let you make more choices.
With everybody changing and everybody busy, how will you find ways
With
to talkeverybody changingyou
about everything andneed
everybody busy,You
to discuss? howmay
willwonder
you find. .ways
.
to talk about everything you need to discuss? You may wonder . . .
• where to begin if you have questions about body stuff and
• where
growingtoup.
begin if you have questions about body stuff and
growing up.
• what words to use if you are
• sad
whatorwords to lonely.
mad or use if you are
sad or mad or lonely.
• how to negotiate for more Hey Mom,
• independence.
how to negotiate for more Hey Mom,
I have a
independence. I have a
question
question
for you.
for you.
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Understanding Families


d ship
frien bles Friendship
trou Troubles
dealing with fights, being left out,
dealing with fights, being left out,
and the whole popularity thing
and the whole popularity thing
by Patti Kelley Criswell

illustrated byAngela Martini
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Friendship Troubles
all about
friends
Remember kindergarten? Back then, friendships were pretty easy. Your
parents arranged your play dates. If you and your friend had a fight about
who got the cherry lollipop, an adult stepped in and calmed things
down.
Now you’re older, and a lot’s changed. You’re choosing your own friends
and trying to solve your own problems. You need more from your
friends, and they need more from you.
You’ve learned that a true friendship is a two-way street, and that both
people have to work to make a relationship a success. You listen to
your friend when she’s having a bad day, and she does the same for you.
Neither one of you is “in charge.” You’re equal. You can compromise
when you need to, and you both know that your opinions matter.
Every friendship is a little different. You may value one girl for the way
she makes you laugh when you’re down. You may value another for the
way she helps you solve problems. Underneath it all, though, the best
friendships share some very basic things.
110 111
what makes
a great friend?
What some girls say: “I like a friend who is nice, truthful,
and fun to be with. Also creative, so
“A really good friend has we are never bored.”
to be able to understand
you and the way you think, “A real friend sticks
appreciate you for who you up for you in tough “A true friend doesn’t get
are, and always keep your situations.” mad at every little thing.”
secrets. When a friend lies,
it can ruin a friendship for “I think a real friend is someone who
a long time.” “A friend should be someone likes you for who you are. My best friend
you are comfortable with— is more popular than I am and has a lot
not someone who you are more friends than I do. She has so many
afraid will laugh at you.” other choices, but she picked me because
she likes me.”
“Someone who will encourage me.”
“A friend is dependable and doesn’t

just say she will be there and not
show up. It’s a trust thing.”
What you say

Think about it. What do you think makes a great friend? On a piece
of paper, make a list of qualities that a girl should have to be one of
your good friends. Put a r next to the things you can’t do without.
112 113
Quiz
true friend test

Good friends are good for you. How do your buddies measure up? Picture I can make a total fool of myself, and she
each girl in your mind and ask yourself whether these statements are true won’t cut me down for it.
or not. yes no
After we’re together, I feel happy and I would stand up for her, and I know she’d do
good about myself. the same for me.
yes no yes no
When something good happens, she’s the first one We can sit and work on a project or watch TV and
I want to tell, because I know she’ll be really not say a word—it never feels awkward.
excited for me.
yes no
yes no
When I’m angry about something and just need

to talk, she’ll listen.
yes no
When I say, “OK, we’ll do it your way,”

it doesn’t feel like I’m giving in, because chances are that
the last time we disagreed, she did things my way.
yes no
She brings out the best in me.

yes no
We never run out of things to talk about.

yes no
answer:
When she’s sad or upset, I feel bad and want to The girl who inspires you to say yes to these statements is a friend
help in any way I can. through and through. Hold on to her.
yes no And the others? Well, it’s the rare friendship that’s absolutely perfect.
But answering no many times is not a good sign. Just because you’ve
been friends with a girl for a long time or because you spend a lot
of time together doesn’t mean a friendship is true-blue.
114 115
Friendship File What she did

Lydia Lydia was heartbroken. She spent more time at home, holding tight
to her family. She cried a lot. When she became, as she says, “mad as
all get-out,” she’d write songs and play them on the piano or the violin.
Lydia is short, spunky, and creative. She used
Music really helped.
to hang out with four or five other girls at
school, and while she wasn’t the most popular After a few weeks, Lydia struck up a conversation with a girl named
girl, she wasn’t at the bottom of the heap, Grace. Grace sat in the back of the classroom and kept mostly to her-
either. Lydia loved to speak her mind (which self. Lydia had hardly noticed her before. Now the two hit it off and
sometimes got her into trouble), but she also started to hang out together. Before long they were inseparable. Lydia
loved to help people. She figured her friends remembers, “Grace never got tired of me.” Lydia joked that Grace was
felt the same way, so when tragedy struck, an “angel” sent to help. And Grace did help. She stuck it out with Lydia
she turned to them. during that whole awful time. When Lydia ranted and raved about
people who weren’t handicapped and who parked in the handicapped
What happened spots, Grace listened. And when Lydia could do nothing but cry as she
Lydia’s brother, Randy, injured his spine diving into shallow water at watched her brother struggle, Grace was there. One day when Grace
a lake. He lost the use of his legs and had to learn to use a wheelchair. knew Lydia was feeling really down, she showed up with two pink roses,
Randy was two years older, and a big brother Lydia loved and admired. just to say she cared.
His accident hit her hard—really hard.
Lydia felt so sad and scared that she hardly knew what to do. Sometimes
she shared these feelings with her parents, but she knew that they were
hurting, too. She didn’t want to add to their worries. So she carried her
grief to school and talked with her friends. Sometimes they listened,
but they didn’t say much. Lydia could see that her friends felt awkward.
It was like they just didn’t get it. After a while, she stopped talking about
her brother and pretended that everything was fine.
But it wasn’t fine. Lydia needed to feel close
to someone. She got clingy. She would try
to be involved in every conversation that
took place, be a part of everything that
was going on. She remembers, “I was totally
hyper—I was terrified of being left out!”
But that’s just what happened. Annoyed by
Lydia’s neediness, the other girls kicked her
How it worked out
out of the group. They even wrote a long As Lydia’s family adjusted and accepted their new challenges, Lydia’s life
list of “annoying things about Lydia” and grew more stable. Today, Grace remains one of Lydia’s best friends. The
gave it to her. So just when she thought old group? Well, they eventually started being nice to Lydia again. She
the situation couldn’t get any worse, it did. gets along with them, but it will never be the same. She looks back now
and says, “They’re not bad people. They just had no idea what the true
meaning of friendship is, and I guess I didn’t, either.” But she does now.
She absolutely does.
116 117
respect
You’ve heard the word your whole life—at home, in school, everywhere: You could treat a friend rudely—nobody’s going to give you detention
respect. “Respect adults,” “Respect yourself,” “Respect the rules,” “Be or ground you if you do. But you choose not to do that. You want your
respectful,” and so on. friend to know how much she means to you. Of all the things that can
bind two people together, respect may be the strongest.
So what does respect have to do with friendship? Having respect for someone else means
Everything. • resisting the temptation to talk about your friend behind her back,
even when you’re angry.
• trusting that her intentions are good ones.
• believing her when she says she’s sorry.
• being happy for her even when you’re really jealous.
Showing a friend respect takes effort—but it’s worth it. With trust and
respect, you and your friend will have fewer problems, solve them more
easily, and enjoy each other a whole lot more.
Respect is what you offer The thing I look

a friend because you for most in friends
honor the friendship. is how open-minded
they are. I think it’s
important that my
friends can respect
me for who I am.
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Friendship Troubles


Digital
World digital
how to connect, share, play,
and keep yourself safe
world
how to connect, share, play,
and keep yourself safe
by Carrie Anton
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Digital World
daily gadget girl

Once upon a time, a school essay had to be tapped out on a
devices
typewriter instead of a keyboard. A rented movie was a tape that said
“Be kind, rewind!” on the case. If you missed an episode of your favor-
ite TV show, you could only hope to see it the next summer, when the
channel showed it again. Games mostly came in boxes. Birthday cards
only came in paper envelopes. The telephone was attached to a wall!
I love the Internet world! I love to make

videos of crafts and e-mail pictures of my
dogs and share information and ideas
that people may use in their actual life!
–Lisa
Today, all those things have changed because of gadgets that make life
faster and easier than ever before—gadgets that put a whole world at
a girl’s fingertips. These gadgets are changing how we work and play in
ways that we never could have imagined only a few years ago.
122 123
do research for school.

listen to tunes—
Today, it’s a wherever.
snap to . . .
stream a TV show—
whenever.
play a game—solo.
read your
favorite book.
take a pic—
with besties.
make a
movie.
learn something new.
124 125
Chat
via video
communication scene Too far away to meet
in person? Turn a
face-to-face convo
Gadgets are changing how we do things, but that’s not all. They’re also into a screen-to-
changing how we express ourselves and spend time together. Words like screen chat.
friend and chat have whole new meanings in the digital world. Words
like blog and e-mail have been created to name technologies as they’ve
been invented. A girl can shine on the online stage in many more ways
than before, but the technologies and sites you can use depend on how
old you are.
Share
something
Hey Mom, With the OK from your
Happy practice parents, write a post, take
Type b-day,
Hannah!!
done at 5
a pic, or shoot a video, and
Cupcake
a text time?
will pick
you up
share it with your friends
using an app added to
Stay in touch with then xo your device.
quick messages Thanx, Mia!
to friends and YES!
family.
Blog about it Run for the world!

A blog is like an online journal
that you give permission to
certain people (such as your
family) to read. With help from
Send a parent, write posts about a
project you’re researching or
an e-mail a good cause you’re
For short messages, texting supporting.
is great. But to really connect,
type and send a letter-like
e-mail—with pictures—to Launch an IM
a friend or family Want to get a group
member. chat going? Invite your
friends, classmates, or
family members to
an instant-message
group.
126 127
Digital study
connected classroom buddy
If you’ve ever searched online for Rosa Parks facts for social studies, During at-home study time, send
prepped for a multiplication test using an online math game, or set a group e-mail or start a closed
up your erupting-volcano science fair project with tips from an online chat page. It’s easy to connect
tutorial, then you already know there’s tons to learn in the digital world. with other students in your class
As you work your way to the head of the class, these other ways of when you need help with an
tapping into technology can also help you make the grade. assignment or just want to test
one another on the state capitals
Teacher time and spelling word list.
Home sick from school? To get
assignments and materials, check in
with teachers on their websites or Search-and-click
by sending e-mails. You don’t have
to fall behind when a bug’s
resources
In addition to books and maga-
got you down.
zines, your library may have spe-
cial search engines for students,
online encyclopedias and data-
bases, and homework-helping
software when you need to
write a report or prep for a quiz.
Group project
Finding a time for everyone to work on a group project can be tricky,
Classy computers especially when one person has soccer practice, one is babysitting,
Computers and digital devices are go-to places for info, just like and one is at a chess tournament. Digital resources allow everyone
the classroom and library bookshelves. What’s more, they can spice to check in when they can using e-mail or text, and to work together
up a lesson with audio and video. Instead of photos in a textbook, using closed-group pages approved by teachers and parents.
imagine a time-lapse video of a caterpillar changing into a butterfly!
Classroom tech can also get you learning with recording apps, interac-
tive whiteboards, and slide shows produced by you.
128 129
digital mom and dad learning

When your parents were growing up, they didn’t have most of the
gadgets and apps you have today. But that doesn’t mean they’re living
in the digital dark ages. In fact, they are using technology in lots of ways
the ropes
Fun and games. School tools.
that you may not know about yet, but one day will. Here are just some
Staying in touch. Managing life!
of the ways they go digital to manage their lives—and yours.
With so much that’s good about
technology, is there a downside?
shopping
Technology can offer freedoms you
don’t find in the real world. But
the freedom comes with respon-
working sibility, which means your parents
need to assist for a while, until you
learn the online ropes. It’s not that
they don’t trust you. It’s because online actions
have consequences you may not know about.
The digital world is a big place. When you’re texting a friend or posting
a photo, literally anyone in the world might see—and it’s easy to forget
that some people online don’t know you or care about you. Also, it’s
paying bills
hard to imagine that what you do in the digital world stays forever. Once
you’ve done it, you can’t take it back—even if you wish you could.
scheduling Your parents will probably set rules, like which apps and websites you can
appointments visit, and with whom you can talk and share online. Think of it like learning
an important skill, such as swimming, with a coach and lots of practice.
Start the conversation with your parents. Show them you’re ready to be
trusted to follow their digital rules. Suggest a contract, like the one here.
The more open you are with your parents about your online life, the
more likely they’ll be to see you as a good digital citizen.
ordering pizza!
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Digital World


rt
spo sss &
fitne sports &
how to use your body and mind
to have fun and be your best fitness
how to use your body and mind
to play and feel your best
by Therese Kauchak Maring

illustrated by Brenna Hansen
with Caroline Silby, PhD, sport psychology

Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Sports & Fitness
I love so
many sports!
I like
ballet, jazz,
and tap because
I get to dance my
heart out . . .
and I like swimming

because floating feels
play power
awesome and it lets me
have quiet time . . .
and I like volleyball

because it feels so great
to hit that ball!
–Alisson
and I like tennis because
it’s good exercise and it
makes me feel alive . . . and I like soccer because it
gives me a chance to run in
the green grass . . .
134 135
what’s
what’s so
so great
great
about
about sports?
sports?
Maybe you play
Maybe you play
sports because
sports
you because
like being part
Chances are, if you’re reading this book, you already like
youoflike being. .part
a team .
Chances are,aifsport—or
playing you’re reading
doingthis book, you
something already
that workslike
your
of a team . . .
playing
bodya sport—or
and keepsdoing something
you fit. that
So why do youworks your
do it?
body and keeps you fit. So why do you do it?
Maybe you play Maybe you think

Maybe you
because youplay
love any
Maybe
kindyou think
of moving
because
to you love
run, shoot any kind of
is more funmoving
than
to run, shoot
hoops, kick a is sitting
more funstillthan
or
hoops,
ball, or kick a
do back sitting
staringstill
at aor
ball, or do back
handsprings— staring at a
screen.
handsprings—
because it screen. . . . or because the feel-
because
just feelsitgreat!
. . . or
ing youbecause theyour
get when feel-
just feels great!
ing you
team get when your
accomplishes
. . . or because it’s fun
team accomplishes
something together is
. . . or because
hanging out withit’syour
fun
something
like together is
happy-times-10!
hanging out Hellooo,
teammates. with your
like happy-times-10!
parties!Hellooo,
teammates.
pizza
pizza parties!
High five!
Maybe you like High five!
Those are all great
Maybe you like
discovering your Those areAnd
reasons. all great
that’s
discovering
body can doyour
things reasons.
not evenAnd that’s
all you
bodydidn’t
you can do things
know it not when
get even all
youyou
play.
you didn’t
could do. know it get when you play.
could do. Before doing any of the
Before doing
exercises any of or
described theshown
exercises
in described
this book, or shown
check with your
in this book,
parent, coach,check with
doctor, oryour
other
parent, coach,
appropriate doctor,
adult or other
to make sure
appropriate
it’s adultyour
right for you, to make
body,sure
and
it’s right
your for you, your body, and
sport.
Maybe you believe outside is the best side! your sport.
Maybe
You likeyou believe outside
to explore the greatisoutdoors.
the best side!
You like to explore the great outdoors.
136 137
How much
body
body bonuses
bonuses
How
exercise
exercise
much do
You play because it’s fun! But that’s not all. Playing sports I need? do
Youalso
playsets
because
you upit’stofun! But that’sfor
be healthier notyour
all. Playing sports
whole life. IHealth
need?experts say girls your
also sets you up to be healthier for your whole life. It helps Health
age experts
should sayleast
get at girlsan your
hour
It helps your bones. Ityour
helps age should get at least
of physical activity every day. an hour
It helps
Bones are madeyour
of livingbones.
cells. When your ofyou
If physical activitypracticing
play sports, every day.
Bones
you doare made of living
weight-bearing cells. When
exercise, new heart. If you play sports, practicing
and competing will get you to
you do
bone weight-bearing
tissue is formed, andexercise, new
that makes heart.
Exercise that gets your heart pumping
andhour
an competing
on many will getGym
days. you to
an hour on many days.
class counts, too. So does Gym
bonebones
your tissue stronger.
is formed,Anyandsport
that is
makes Exercise
and makesthatyougets your heart
breathe hard ispumping
giving
class counts,
recess too. So
and walking the does
dog.
your bones stronger.
weight-bearing if yourAny
legssport is
support and makes
your heart ayou breathetoo.
workout, hard is giving
Your heart
recess and walking the dog.
weight-bearing
your body weight if your
whilelegs
yousupport
move. your
is heart aAnd
a muscle. workout, too. Your
the stronger it is,heart
the As part of that activity, you
your
So bodyyou’re
when weight while you
walking, move.
running, is a muscle.
better it is atAnd the stronger
pumping blood ittois,your
the As part do
should of that activity,that
something yougets
So whenrope,
jumping you’redancing,
walking,orrunning,
playing betterand
lungs it isthe
at pumping blood
rest of your body.to your
More should
your do something
heart pumping for thatat gets
jumpingorrope,
soccer dancing,
basketball, or playing
you’re building lungs and
oxygen and the rest of your
nutrients body.
get to yourMore your heart
least pumping
30 minutes three fortimes
at
soccer bones.
strong or basketball, you’re building oxygen and
tissues. You’re nutrients get to your
heart-healthier, and aleast 30 Those
week. minutes 30three
minutes timescan
strong bones. tissues.
you haveYou’re
moreheart-healthier,
energy. and a week.
be Those 30 minutes
two 15-minute or three can
you have more energy. be two 15-minute
10-minute bursts of oractivity.
three
It helps your ZZZs. 10-minute
You’ll bursts
get the same of health
activity.
It helps
This your
one’s simple. ExpertsZZZs.
who study You’ll getasthe
benefits an same health
all-at-once
This one’s
fitness saysimple.
exerciseExperts who
can help study
you benefits asworkout.
30-minute an all-at-once
fitnessbetter,
sleep say exercise can help you
and a well-rested you 30-minute workout.
What kind of exercise is best?
It helps sleep
is better,healthier
a happier, and a well-rested
you. you What kindthat’s
Anything of exercise
so fun is best?
it makes
Ityour
helps is a happier, healthier you. Anything
you want that’s
to play!so In
fun it makes
fact,
your
muscles.
you wantwho
experts
experts who
ommend
to play!
studyInfitness
thatstudy
fact, rec-
fitness
you don’t rec-
pick
muscles. ommend
just that you
one sport don’t pickin.
to specialize
just onemultiple
Playing sport tosports
specialize in.
is best
Playing
for yourmultiple
body. sports is best
for your body.
Well, duh, right? If you play sports,

Well, muscles
your duh, right?
getIfstronger.
you playThat’s
sports,
your muscles
Sports 101. Butget stronger.
what That’s
does that
Sportsmean?
really 101. But
It what
meansdoes
youthat
don’t
really
get mean?
tired It means
as quickly youyou
when don’t
play.
get tired
And as quicklyyour
the stronger when you play.
muscles
Andthe
are, thebetter
stronger your
they aremuscles
at protect- It helps your future.
are,you
ing the when
betteryou’re
they are at protect-
moving. That It helps
You haven’t metyour future.
Grown-Up You yet. But if you keep playing sports,
ing youyou’re
means when less
you’re moving.
prone That
to certain You haven’t
you’re going met Grown-Up
to like her whenYou youyet.
do.But
Notifonly
you will
keepGrown-Up
playing sports,
You be
meansof
types you’re lessboth
injuries, proneontoand
certain
off you’re going to like her when you do. Not only will Grown-Up You be
fun to hang around with, she’ll also be healthy and fit. Playing sports
types
the of injuries, both on and off
field. fun to
now hang you’re
means aroundmore
with,likely
she’llto
also
bebe healthy
active as anand fit. Playing sports
adult.
the field. now means you’re more likely to be active as an adult.
138 139
brain bonuses
mping
You play because it feels good—starting Remember how your pu
od
with the thrill of the game. But sports and heart is increasing the blo
bo dy ?
exercise also feel good in ways that might flow throughout your
your
not seem so obvious. The blood is pumping to
n ma ke
brain, too, and that ca
r. Some
your brain function bette
erc ise acti-
research shows that ex
the part
ort, vates the hippocampus,
fun playing a sp of your brain that’s impo
rtant for
When you have .
about yourself memory and learning.
you feel good ,
scoring the goal
Whether you’re ng
pass, or cheeri
making a solid
es, mastering a
from the sidelin lp
proud. It can he
skill makes you d o ing
re capable of
you realize you’
things, too.
other amazing
Researchers have found that girls

who play sports often do better
academically. And because you’re
sleeping better and concentrating
Does it seem weird that better, you may also, in turn, be
playing in a
real nail-biter or doing a getting better grades.
hard workout
can reduce your stress? It’s
science! It
happens because exercise
can reduce
the levels of hormones in
your body
that are related to stress
, such as
adrenaline.
Some exercise help

s you relax
because of the kind
of activity
you’re doing. Maybe
you like the
Exercise stim solitude of walking
ulates the pro the dog or the
of brain che duction peace of canoeing
micals called with your big
Endorphins a e ndorphins. sister on a quiet la
re known as ke. Some people
tors” because “m ood eleva- get their best thin
they can help king done when
happy, optim you feel they have fewer di
istic, and less stractions.
It’s like push d e pressed. Worries about frie
ing a button nd drama,
to take an ele fo r your brain school, or your bu
vator to a ha sy schedule just
It’s the scien ppier floor. fade away. Ahhh! Pe
ce behind w ace and quiet,
or bike ride hy a walk, sw inside and out.
can get you im,
feeling up.
140 141
You
Youthat
life
life you
learn
learn
canthat learn.
bonuses
bonuses Picture
sport.
you can
Youyourself
learn.
Picture yourself playing
may notplaying
your favorite
remember,your favorite
but there
You play sports because you like to! sport.
was a dayYou whenmayyou’d
not remember,
never played butit there
before.
You
It playgood
feels sports because
to play, but you
morelike to!
than was had
You a day whensay,
never, you’d never
kicked playedball—ever.
a soccer it before.
It feels
that, goodpicking
you’re to play,upbut more
skills thatthan
can You had
But never,
look say,now:
at you kicked You a soccer ball—ever.
have skills! You
that, you
help you’re
offpicking up too—now
the field, skills that can
and But looka at
learned few you now:and
things Youthenhavea skills! You
few more.
helpthe
for yourest
offofthe field,
your life.too—now and learned
You’re astill
fewimproving.
things andThroughout
then a few your
more.
for the rest of your life. You’re
life, still
you’llimproving.
always need Throughout
to learn— your
life,whether
you’ll always needfor
it’s skills toyour
learn—
You learn that you whethercareerit’s skills
. . .for your
You
can deallearnwith thatlife’s
you career . . .
can
ups deal with life’s
and downs. I need to
ups and
In sports, downs.
you know you may win . . . or fixI need to
this Mars . . . or to under-
As president of
In sports,
lose. you know
You keep going,you mayif win
even . . . or
it’s hard. fix this stat!
Rover, Mars . . . or to
stand under-
what’s going
As United
the president of
States,
lose. You
That’s called perseverance.
keep going, even ifYouit’s learn
hard. Rover, stat! stand
on what’s
in the going
world and
thehere’s
UnitedwhatStates,
to look back at a loss and find thingsThat’s your perseverance.
aboutcalled performance that You were
learn on in the
solve world and
problems.
here’s
I thinkwhat
...
to lookKnowing
“wins.” back at athat
losswho
and find things
you are about
is not your performance
decided by what happens thatduring
were solve problems.
I think . . .
“wins.”
one Knowing
event thatyou
can help who atyou are isatnot
school, home,decided
or at by what
work happens during
someday.
one event can help you at school, at home, or at work someday.
Being able to bounce back when things don’t turn out as you’d hoped—
Being able toresilience.
that’s called bounce back whenitthings
It makes easier don’t turn
to deal outnew
with as you’d hoped—
situations and
bumps in theresilience.
that’s called road yourItwhole
makeslife.
it easier to deal
You know with
that thenew situations
challenge might and
bumps in the road your whole life. You know that
be easy—or not—but either way, you can keep moving forward.the challenge might
be easy—or not—but either way, you can keep moving forward.
You learn As an athlete, you understand it’s OK not to know everything at first,
You
people learn skills.
As an athlete,
because you canyoulearn.
understand it’s OK to
That translates notconfidence
to know everything at first,
and bravery.
because you can learn. That translates to confidence and bravery.
people
In sports, you skills.
play with loud people,
In sports,
quiet you goofballs,
people, play with loud people,
and serious
quiet people,
types. You learngoofballs,
how to and
cheerserious
them
types.
on andYou learnthem
support how to cheer them
if they’re down.
on and
You support
learn that ifthem if they’re
you speak down.
up when
You don’t
you learn that if you speak
understand, thingsupwill
when
you don’t
make moreunderstand,
sense. You things will are
learn there
make ways
good moreand sense.
badYou
ways learn there are
to disagree.
good ways and bad ways to disagree.
Being able to empathize and being
Being at
good able to empathize and
communicating and resolving
being
good at communicating
conflicts and resolving
will make you stronger and
conflicts
more will make you
independent stronger
wherever youand
go.
more independent
These skills make youwherever
a leader! you go.
These skills make you a leader! To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Sports & Fitness

Get t i ng I t
Tog e t he r Getting It
Together
how to organize your space, your stuff,
your time—and your life how to organize your space, your stuff,
your time—and your life
by Erin Falligant
illustrated by Brenna Vaughan
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Getting It Together
falling
apart?
146 147
a disorganized day 3:32 p.m.

ally home. You’ll
do
Have you ever had a day like this? Whew! You’re fin sn ac k.
away—after a
homework right
online.
And some time
7:07 a.m. s is
—again. The bu
You wake up late ill
utes, and you st
coming in 20 min 4:55 p.m.
to do! you to dance
have homework Dad’s here to take
?? You race to
practice! Already?
t changed.
your room to ge
7:27 a.m. re are
. . and goes. Whe
The bus comes . shoe.
your closet , searching for a
you? In
7:20 p.m. your
homework while
How can you do ie?
your favorite mov
sister is watching
7:52 a.m. Hey, here’s an id
ea! You’ll get up
ea rly
) drops you off at .
Mom (who’s mad and homework then
. You whip open your locker tomorrow and do
school rs.
avalanche of pape 9:21 p.m.
get buried in an
As you drift off
7:56 a.m. to sleep, you
remember the ba
You’re late to math. At least ke sale.
Tomorrow. You’re
you finished your homework. supposed
to bring a dozen
But wait! It’s still at home on cupcakes . . .
the kitchen counter!
Yikes! What a day!

9:55 a.m. Was it bad luck?
Your stomach is growling. No.
Too bad you didn’t have Are you a bad student?
time for breakfast. No.
Lazy?
Nope.
Try disorganized.
When you’re disorganized, your space gets cluttered and you can’t find
11:17 a.m. m
here are your gy what you need. You’re late. You forget things. You’re always stressed out
Time for gym. W e, to o.
u forgot thos and frustrated—and your parents and teachers (and friends and siblings
shoes? Oops! Yo
and pets . . . ) might be getting frustrated with you, too.
Here’s the good news: You can teach yourself tricks for staying on top
1:45 p.m. of your stuff and your schedule. And when you start, you’ll have more
! How were you
Ugh. Science test yay! days than yikes! days. You’ll feel more relaxed. You’ll laugh more
y on top of your
supposed to stud and worry less. You’ll be taking charge of your life—and that’s one of
other homework? the best feelings of all.
148 149
Quiz
Okay, I admit it. I once found moldy food in my backpack. Okay, twice . . .
what trips you up? I’ve gotten a bad grade because of a

Maybe you keep a tidy room but can’t keep track of time. Maybe you missed assignment or two . . . or three.
hate being late, but you don’t mind dust bunnies—and books and
sweaters and papers and markers and hair clips and socks—stuffed
under your bed. Which of these sound like you? I forget my lunch, homework, or
sports stuff at least once a week.
I finished my homework—honest! I just can’t remember where I put it. Thank goodness my parents
are just a phone call away.
Mornings are so hectic! I’m already stressed out by the time I get
Put things off till the last minute? Who, me?
to school.
Do homework in my bedroom? No way.

I’d make my bed, except then My brain shuts down with all the clutter in there.
I’d have to find someplace to
put my clothes. And my stuffed
animals. And my books. I totally forgot about my science project. Mom and I stayed
up late to get it done, but I think the glue’s still wet.
Sometimes I’m surprised by tests at school.

How come no one else seems to be? I finally found my missing book report! Crumpled up at the
bottom of my backpack. At the end of the school year. Sigh.
Are those clothes on the floor clean or dirty? It’s hard to tell.
I need a personal secretary to manage my crazy schedule.
I keep my alarm clock by my bed so I can hit “snooze” in my sleep.

A girl could trip and sprain her ankle walking across my room.
My backpack might weigh Who needs a calendar? My parents keep track of my schedule for me.
more than I do. I’m not
exactly sure what’s in there.
There’s at least one drawer in
my room that’s too full to close.
My reasons for not doing

homework are more creative Running late is one of my
than my actual work. best forms of exercise.
150 151
Answers 7 reasons to
If you chose mostly blue, your
stuff is tripping you up! But you can
get it together
cut the clutter and take control of Sure, getting organized takes a little time and work.
your space. Read the “At School” sec- But it’s worth it! Here’s why.
tion of this book for tips on cleaning
out your backpack and giving your
1. You’ll save yourself loads of time
locker a makeover. Then read on for
later on—time you used to spend
fun ways to redo your room so that
searching for things under your bed
you can find what you need, when
or at the bottom of your backpack.
you need it—and love being there.
2. You’ll feel good being in your room,

and you’ll be proud to show it off
to friends.
If you chose mostly purple, it’s
time to get in touch with time. Read
the “About Time” section for ways 3. You’ll argue less with your parents
to make friends with clocks and cal- about things like getting homework
endars. Practice tracking time while done and being on time.
you’re getting ready in the morning or
doing homework at night. Once you
figure out where your time is going,
4. Instead of waking up in a panic, you’ll
wake up feeling calm and peaceful.
you can save it for the things that
matter most to you.
5. Your teachers will notice that
something’s up with you. You
might even get better grades!
If you chose both colors,
you’re like many girls (and a lot 6. You’ll have more time for the
of adults). But not to worry. You things you really want to do.
can get it together, one step
at a time. Read the “One Small
Step” ideas in every section for 7. You’ll feel in control of
quick, easy ways to cut clutter your life and ready to
and take charge of your sched- tackle ANYTHING!
ule. Those small steps will give
you the confidence to make
bigger changes later on.
152 153
we did it! Because I forget EVERYTHING,

I write a to-do list in a small notebook
that I carry around, even at school. This
Here are some ways that girls like you have found to manage makes me feel amazing! I know
their stuff, their space, and their schedule. I can relax without worrying
I forgot something.
Every time my school binder gets full, –Maddy
I clean it out. I look at every paper and ask,
“Do I NEED this for my learning?” If not, I use a big whiteboard for my
I recycle it. My binder is much lighter now. I started setting my alarm schedule, homework, and any
–Nina clock 10 minutes earlier, other info I need to know. It
and it made my mornings makes me feel like I have all
I put labels on all my drawers so
go sooo much smoother. my thoughts together.
I always have specific places to put
–Gracie –Caitlyn
everything. My room is so much I used to be in a rush in
cleaner and more organized! the morning. Then I found
–Bethany out it works really well to
lay out my clothes, put my I organized my whole
homework in my backpack, I do my homework as
room lately, and that made
I write everything I need and make my lunch the soon as possible because it
me feel REALLY fantastic!!!
to do on a sticky note. night before. When I get makes my evenings more
–Abby
It’s a friendly little list. up, I’m all ready to go. calm and relaxed.
–Chloe –Makenna –Flo
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Getting It Together


manners Manners
the secret to grace, confidence, the secret to grace, confidence,
and being your best and being your best
by Nancy Holyoke
illustrated by Julia Bereciartu
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Manners
the basics
158 159
me first? So who decides what’s polite and what’s not? We all do.
When we talk about manners, we’re talking about how most people in a
certain time and place think people should behave. What’s polite in one
country isn’t always polite in another. What was rude fifty years ago isn’t
always rude today. Manners depend a lot on custom—and different
customs often live side by side.
In a way, manners are not so much a set of rules as they are a language
you use to tell other people what they can expect from you. The better
you know the language, the more you can say.
Are you trustworthy?
Do you think only of yourself?
Would you make a good friend or a poor one?
There’s a voice inside each of us that says

“Me first.”
It tells us to please ourselves—to take what we want and do what we
like, never mind about anybody else. If “me first” had its way, we’d spend
our days trampling on one another’s rights and feelings, and pretty soon
the world would be a snarling mess.
This is where manners come in.
Manners aren’t a bunch of rules dreamed up by fusspots who want to
cramp your style. Manners help people get along together. They make
us nicer. They teach us to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes.
A girl who chooses to use good manners is telling the world she believes
that other people matter as much as she does. She’s saying that life isn’t
about what one person does for herself but about what people can do
together for the common good.
160 161
after you
after you
The way you talk with a good friend when you’re flopped on the grass
The
is waydifferent
very you talkfrom
withthe
a good
way friend when
you talk you’re
to the flopped
principal on the
in the grass
hallway
is very
at different
school. from the
You change yourway youwithout
style talk to thinking.
the principal
And in the good.
that’s hallway
at school. You change your style without thinking. And that’s good.
Manners recognize differences between people. There are certain things
Mannersdorecognize
people differences
that say “You’re between
number one” people.
or “YourThere
needsare certain
come things
first.”
peopleactions
These do thataresaycalled signs
“You’re of deference,
number one” or “Your
and toneeds
lots ofcome first.”
people they
These actions
symbolize good called signs
aremanners. of deference,
They’re and to lots of people
rooted in tradition—and they
in kindness.
symbolize good
Deference turns manners. They’re
up in all sorts rooted
of ways in tradition—and
in manners, but hereinarekindness.
a few
Deference
of turns up in all sorts of ways in manners, but here are a few
the big ones.
of the big ones.
Hold doors open for adults. When you and a friend are going
Hold doors
through openletforheradults.
a doorway, When
go ahead ofyou
you.and a friend are going
through a doorway, let her go ahead of you.
Guests go first. When you’re pouring lemonade, pour your friend’s
Guests
glass goyou
before first. When
pour youryou’re pouring
own. When lemonade,
you pourlet
start a game, yourherfriend’s
have
glassfirst
the before
turn.you
Andpour
whenyour own.only
there’s Whenoneyou start left?
cookie a game,
Youlet her who
know have
the first
gets it. turn. And when there’s only one cookie left? You know who
gets it.
Give up your seat on a crowded bus or subway to anybody who

Give upif your
looks as seatneeds
he or she on ato
crowded bus
sit down or subway
more to do.
than you anybody who
This includes
looks people
older as if he and
or she needswith
people to sit downormore
babies smallthan you do. This includes
children.
older people and people with babies or small children.
Men and women have followed different rules in the past. For many
Men
years, and women
men were have to
expected followed
give alldifferent
these same rules in the
signs past. For many
of deference to
years, men
women. were expected
A polite man opened to give
doorsall for
these same signs
a woman of deference
and let to
her enter first.
women.
He stoodAwhen
politea man
womanopened doors
entered for a at
a room woman and
a party, andletoffered
her enter
herfirst.
his
He stood
seat. when abetween
He walked woman aentered
womana androom theatcurb
a party, and streets
on city offeredtoher his
pro-
seat. her
tect He walked
from any between a woman
rain or dirt kickedandup the
by acurb on city
passing car. streets to pro-
Many people
tect her
keep up from
theseany rain or today.
traditions dirt kicked
Othersupprefer
by a passing
to see car.
womenManyshow
people
their
keep up these
strength traditions today.
and independence Othersthese
by doing prefer to see
things forwomen show their
themselves.
strength and independence by doing these things for themselves.
162 163
Use names
good impressions Greet people by name. It shows that you care who they are, which
makes them feel good.
We all know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, If you have trouble remembering names, practice saying them when
but the fact is that most of us do make judgments about they’re fresh in your mind. For instance, if you’re introduced to a new
others based on how they look and talk. This is especially girl, say her name right away. (If you didn’t quite catch it, ask her to
true if we’re meeting someone for the first time. repeat it until you do.) Then use her name several more times before the
Don’t let this business of appearances spook you. conversation’s done. The more often you use the name today, the better
Instead, try out the tips on these pages. You’ll look chance you have of remembering it tomorrow.
more confident, and that can often make you feel
more confident. The more you practice these things, Shake hands
the more natural they’ll seem. A little work on the out- Step up and shake hands when you’re saying hello to an adult, especially
side girl lets the girl inside shine through—and that, of if the situation is fairly formal. Offer your right hand (even if you’re left-
course, is the entire point. handed) and say the person’s name: “Hi, Ms. Puptent.” When she puts
her hand in yours, clasp it firmly for one quick shake.
Stand tall
Your body says a lot about what you think of yourself. Hold your head
up. Pull your shoulders back. Talk in a strong voice. Walk like a girl who’s
ready to meet the world, and you’ll begin to feel like one. You’ll find
that others will see you that way, too.
Make eye contact

Look people in the eye. It shows that you’re friendly and honest. It also
tells others that you’re interested in them and in what they’re saying.
Say hello
“Hi” means “I know you. I’m glad to see you, even if we’re not going to
stop and talk.” Silence means . . . well, who knows? It might mean “I’m
mad at you” or “I don’t like you”—or simply “There you are, but so
what?”
164 165
choose your words

Manners are all about communication, so put some thought into Lots of kids use put-downs when they’re kidding around with their
the words you use to express yourself. friends. “So what?” “Who cares?” “Shut up.” Put-downs are supposed
Those magic words people have been telling you about all your life to be funny. Maybe. But a put-down always makes another person feel
really are sort of magic. Say “please” and people cooperate. Say “thank a bit dumber than she did before you said it. Put-downs sting—maybe
you” and get a smile. These words make everything a little easier and a little, maybe a lot.
happier—both for others and for you. Keep in mind that words that work with one kind of person
Other words are better avoided entirely. Junk words, for instance. might not work with another. For instance, you and a close
Words that have nothing to do with the sense of a sentence can be, you friend may say “duh” just in fun. But if you use “duh” with a kid you
know, like, so annoying, like, if you, like, use them constantly, you know? don’t know well, it’s hurtful. And if you use it with an adult, it’s insulting.
So don’t. Swear words: You don’t need them. With hundreds of thousands of
Then there are all those lazy words—hmm, nah, eh, huh, yeah. We all words to choose from in the English language, why use the ones that
use them, but overdo it and you’ll give the impression that you dragged were designed to insult and offend people?
yourself out of a deep sleep to have this conversation and wish you Finally, pleasant words don’t count if the tone of your voice says
were still in bed. something entirely different. Yell “I’m sorry,” and it means you’re not.
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Manners


money
how to make it,
save it, and spend it
Money
how to make it,
save it, and spend it
by Nancy Holyoke
illustrated by Brigette Barrager
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Money
money!
money?
170 171
aa girl
girl and
and her
her money
money
the money your
the moneygave
parents your
parents
you forgave
the
you for the
movies,
movies,
Money. It’s great to have, fun

Money. It’s great
to spend, and to have,
(for some fun
of us, and the check
to spend,
anyway) and
hard to(for
keep.some of how
Think us, and Aunt
your the check
Maud
anyway)
much hard has
money to keep.
flowedThink how
through your Aunt Maud
sent for your
much money has flowed through
your hands already in your life- sent for your
birthday.
your
time.hands
Take already
just thisinmonth
your life-
... birthday.
time. Take just this month . . .
That’s at least $100 in

That’s
four at $100 in
leastweeks!
short
four
Why, thereshort
could beweeks!
$1,000 a year
Why, there
coming andcould
goingbethrough
$1,000 ayour
year
coming very
and going through your
own wallet.
There’s your Who knew!
very own wallet.
There’s your
allowance, Who knew!
allowance, Yet if you stop and think about it, there is
Yet if youflowing
money stop and think
in and about
out it, thereallis
of pockets
moneyyou.
around flowing
Wherein and
doesout of come
it all pockets all
from?
around you. Where does it all come from?
the money you In a word:
the
getmoney you
for lunch work.
In a word:
get for lunch
every day, work.
If you have a quarter in your pocket, it’s
every day, If you have
because a quarter
at some insomeone
point your pocket, it’s
earned
because at some
it—maybe you,point
maybesomeone earned
your parents,
it—maybe
maybe you, maybe
Aunt Maud, maybeyour parents,
someone else.
But someone.
maybe Aunt Maud, maybe someone else.
But someone.
172 173
money moments
Money influences how we see other people and how we see ourselves.
Maybe that’s why the decisions we make about it often have more to
do with emotion than with math.
Follow these girls through a day of money decisions and observations.

What emotions are they feeling?
7:55 a.m.
“Here’s your allowance,” says Sierra’s mother. “Don’t spend it all on
something silly.” Sierra nods. She’ll try, but if Morgan and Amber want
to go to the mall after school, she can’t exactly say no.
9:30 a.m.
Genevieve has a new purse. Sierra knows for a fact that her brother’s
car cost less than that brand of purse. She decides Genevieve
is stuck-up.
11:16 a.m.
Amber is smiling as she walks down the hall. Yesterday, she figured out
she’d earned $253 selling ankle bracelets since September. $253 of her 1:36 p.m.
very own! She feels like she grew two inches overnight. She decides “Cool shoes,” says Amber to Morgan. “How much did they cost?” The
she’ll spend $5 at the mall after school. She can afford it. real answer is a lot, but Morgan knows her family has more money than
Amber’s. “I’m not sure,” she says. “I think they were on sale.”
4:30 p.m.
The girls have been at the mall for an hour. Morgan and Amber both
bought something. “You’ve got to get something, too, Sierra,” they say.
Sierra does.
6:10 p.m.
The credit-card bill has arrived. Amber’s parents argue for a while. Then
doors slam. Amber turns on some tunes, sits on her bed, and makes
ankle bracelets.
7:30 p.m.
No clean laundry for Morgan tonight. The washer’s broken. “Let’s get a
new one,” says her dad. “It’s only money.”
9:05 p.m.
Sierra is reading in bed. It’s a story about an orphan who gets adopted
by a millionaire. She falls asleep imagining what it would be like to be
that rich. Next week she’ll save her allowance for sure. Maybe.
174 175
✱ greed
money emotions
You’ve probably had all kinds of feelings about money.
You also have habits and attitudes that have been shaped by your family. ✱ anxiety
A girl whose parents talk with ease about family finances will think
differently about money than a girl whose parents worry or argue when
the bills arrive. A girl who’s grown up shopping the sales with her mom
will likely have different spending habits than a
girl who has only seen
her mom buy freely. A
girl’s experiences may
✱ guilt
incline her to like or ✱ pride
dislike people with more
money—or to like or
dislike people with less.
All this means that your

feelings about money
may be complicated. But
the way you use money
✱ happines
s
doesn’t have to be.
When it comes to making

decisions about money,
keep your head cool and
your thinking clear. Let
three basic questions
be your guide:
✱ confiden
ce
1. Where are you ✱ jealous
y
now in terms of
money?
2. Where do you
want to go?
✱ generosi
ty
3. How do you
get there?
176 177
allowance
A lot of girls get their first experience
managing money when they first
get an allowance. Here’s what
some girls have to say about “My d
a
how it works in their homes: and m d gives my
e $12 broth
Then for al er
h l o
for ‘ta e makes u wance.
x s
“I get an allowance. towar es.’ Anoth pay $4
My mom likes the fact that d sav er $4
we ge in go
I am not bugging her for t to k gs. The la es
say th eep. So y st $4
money. Having my own at w ou co
‘bills h u
money has helped me learn ’ are p en all of o ld
aid, w ur
how to manage money.” Jessic e get
$4.”
Alex
“I only get an
when I do all m
allowance a
y chores, like
feeding the an
imals,
putting my lau
ndry away,
and just pickin nd
g up after arou nce.
myself. Chores o r e s
are not my o ch lowa s
favorite pastim
e, but I do o u ld d or an al drive u
s s h o t f n d lp
love my allowan
ce!” “Kid se but n clean, a do is he .”
hou ok, can money
Abigail the rents co east we
pa el ing
for “I do
n
allow ot get an
Our ool. Th out ask ance.
Kelly
h h
ow
.
ance g to sc ittle wit ask fo I
r one don’t
a l l oin a l my pa b ecaus
n my ard for d ood out r e
“I e a r
rew gg every ents buy m
a g reat d g ettin lso to go
thing
. If e
It’s s an is a to the I want
r c hore lowance es you my pa m
yo u
es. A
l
teac
h rents ovies,
grad cause it oney.” the m g ive m
e
be fm oney.
good e value o Alexis
e ”
Nicol
th
“I get an a
llowance
$10 a week of
. I have to
for my ow p ay
n clothes.
has taugh That
t me a lot
responsib a b out
ility.”
Joley
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Money


middle Middle
school
everything you need to know about juggling more
school
homework, more teachers, and more friends! about juggling more homework,
more teachers, and more friends!
by Julie Williams illustrated by

Montalbano Cathi Mingus
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Middle School
fresh start Starting middle school might feel like the scariest thing in the world
to you right now. But try to think of middle school as an awesome
opportunity. New teachers and new kids mean you can arrive on the
first day a new you! Have you always wanted to grow out your bangs?
Dear American Girl, Do you think you look more like a Katharine than a Katie? Did you ever
I’m starting middle school and I’m want to learn to write poetry? Now’s your chance. You can change your
completely scared. It’s going to be style, change your favorite subject, or maybe just change your attitude.
so different from elementary school. Making new friends and branching out from the same kids you’ve played
How am I going to survive? with since kindergarten isn’t such a bad thing. It’s like breaking in a new
Scared pair of shoes. They might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but after
a while they’ll feel great!
Start with
a clean
slate.
182 183
Quiz
how do you deal?

Middle school is all about change—new school, new teachers, new 4. Your brother says you’ll have only three minutes to get from
friends. How you cope with change will tell you a lot about how one class to another in middle school. You . . .
you’ll adjust to your new surroundings. Choose the answer below
a. gasp, “No way! I’ll never make it.”
that describes you best to see how you’ll deal when it’s for real.
b. set a timer for three minutes to see just how long you’ll have
between classes.
5. Your best friend starts hanging out with a new girl at school. You . . .
a. get jealous and give your friend the cold shoulder, hoping she’ll
get the hint that you don’t like what she’s doing.
b. try to get to know the new girl. Maybe she’ll turn out to be
a great friend for you, too!
6. Your soccer coach scratches you from
the starting lineup. You . . .
a. sulk over to the bench and decide
1. This is the first year you have to take the bus to and from school. that soccer isn’t your thing.
When you find this out, you . . . b. stay on the sidelines and cheer the
a. beg your dad to ask his boss to let him leave early every day to team on. If you pick up some good
pick you up. tips from the game, you might be
able to earn back your position.
b. call around to see if any other friends will be on your bus. Maybe
you can sit together.
2. When your favorite teacher goes on maternity leave and is replaced

with a substitute for the rest of the school year, you . . .
a. find yourself saying, “That’s not how Ms. Cho did it.”
b. help bring the new teacher up to speed on where Ms. Cho left
off, and then let her do her own thing.
3. When you find out that none of your friends are in your classes
this year, you . . .
a. ask the guidance counselor to change your schedule so that you
can be with your friends.
b. feel bummed, but talk yourself into braving it alone.
184 185
Picture yourself
If you answered
having a
Mostly a’s
You’re a holdout.
When change happens to you, you try to hang on to
the way things used to be. Why? Because you know
good time
what to expect and what to do. You feel in control.
But now that something new has come along, you’re
in
afraid you’ve lost control. Don’t be so quick to
run. New faces, places, and challenges can open up
a whole new world for you. And there is some-
thing you’ll always have control over:
middle school.
how you handle and react to things. As the
unknown becomes more familiar, you’ll find yourself
feeling more sure of yourself.
Positive visualization is a trick that professional athletes use all the time.
If you want to do well in a given situation, you have to want it, feel it,
see it. That’s not to say that you can close your eyes and imagine
success one time and it will come. But it’s a start! If you tell yourself you
can do something, you’ve taken the first step toward making it a reality.
Mostly b’s
You like to go with the flow.
When faced with a big change, you take a deep breath and do
your best. You know that nothing ever stays the same, and it’s
up to you to make the most of what’s to come. Since you’ll
be making more of your own decisions in middle school, it’s
important to keep your wits about you. You’ll have
more responsibility and learn to manage more things on your
own, which can make you feel really grown-up and make your
parents proud of you.
186 187
rise ’n’ shine

In your school district, the middle-school day might start earlier than
the elementary-school day. Maybe you walked to school before, but
now you ride the bus. Or you might have a lot more after-school activi-
ties this year. How you start your day will set the pace for your super-
busy middle-school schedule. Do you start your day sunny-side up or in
a scramble? Which description sounds most like you?
Sunny-side up
You’re up and out of bed as soon as the alarm sounds.
Hey, you even have time to look over your homework
before hitting the road. Keep on rising and shining!
Over easy
You like to ease yourself awake with a couple of swipes
at the snooze button. You have a special ability to know
when to rest and when to rise—often getting out of bed
at the very last possible minute. But if you find yourself
slipping back to sleep more and more often each morning,
consider putting that alarm clock across the room.
Scrambled
Dream visions cloud your head as you rush out the door.
A morning meal is nothing but a blur—if you had time to
sit down to breakfast at all. You’re frazzled and stressed out
even before you get to school. What’s the problem? You’re
not giving yourself enough time to get ready. Try getting
up 15 minutes earlier. You’ll be surprised how much easier
the morning will be when you give yourself a couple extra
minutes to gather your thoughts before heading out for
the day.
FACT: On average, 11-year-old girls need ten hours of sleep each night.
That means if you have to get up at 6:00 a.m., you should try to be in
bed by 8:00 p.m.
WHAT?!
Not going to happen? It’s probably been years since you went to bed
at 8:00 p.m. But it’s at least reason to rethink that 10:00 p.m. bedtime
you’re trying to negotiate.
188 189
“what do I wear?” getting there

A well-organized wardrobe can make a big difference when you’re get-
ting ready for school in a hurry. Follow these tips to get out the door
feeling dressed for success.
t Clean clothes. Make sure you have five or six outfits that you like
to wear. That way, you’ll have to do laundry just once a week and
you’ll have something clean for each day of the school week.
t Mix & match separates. Buying clothes in basic colors makes it
easier to create lots of different outfits. Make your style your own
by adding jewelry, hair thingies, and other accessories.
t Clean out your closet. Get rid of clothes that are too small by
donating them to charity.
t Layers. Layers allow you to adjust to the temperature throughout
the day. You can tie a sweatshirt around your waist if you get warm.
t A clock. A must-have for every middle schooler is a way to keep What if I oversleep and get to school late? Will I get into big
track of time, whether it’s on your electronic device or on your wrist. trouble?
t Comfy shoes. You need one pair for school and one for gym. Also
have a pair in your closet for dressing up for the band concert.
Sleepy Samara
If you know you’re going to be late, ask your mom or dad to write
t Crack the code. Check your school’s dress code and make sure
a note or call the school explaining why. It’s OK to be tardy once in
the clothes you plan to wear are appropriate.
a while if you have a good reason. By middle school, though, you’re
expected to be there before the bell rings. If oversleeping is a problem
for you, this is a good time to start working on new habits.
Last school year, I was late almost every day. Next year I am
going to middle school, and I’ll have to get up even earlier.
I need a plan to help me get ready in the morning. Help!
Not OK
Take a look at your morning schedule and see where you can gain some
time. Do you need to set the alarm to go off earlier? Or maybe you
should talk to your siblings about letting you in the bathroom first.
Try some of the organization tips on the next page to get yourself up
and out in the morning.
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Middle School


ing a
Mak ence Making a
Differ
using your
Difference
tale n t s a n d p
world
assions
to change the using your talents and passions
to change the world
by Melissa Seymour
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference
be the change Maybe you’re here

little
So, you want to make a difference? Great! Everything because you feel a
e
you need to change the world is already inside you. flicker of joy insid
rs.
when you help othe
Maybe you picked up this
book because you noticed
something that you want to
change in your community.
No matter the
reason,
you want to m
ake the
world a bette
r place.
aw Let’s get to w
Maybe you s ork!
nfair and
something u d
o u wa nt to stand up an
y
e be heard.
let your voic
194 195
the ripple
effect
What happens when you drop a pebble
into a calm pond? The ripples from the
stone go far beyond the spot where the
pebble sank. They travel out in rings that
expand across the pond’s surface.
Think of your actions and words as the
pebble. One small action can cause ripples
bigger than you ever dreamed, and your
actions can help change the world.
196 197
START
WITH
HEART
198 199
o
check it out II want
o
o
want to
to make
make
o
II like
like teaching
teaching
others.
Why others.
Why do
do you
you want
want to
to change
change the
the world?
world? What
What does
does that
that pebble
pebble mean
mean the
the world aa
world
to
to you? Put a check next to each statement that feels right. Knowing
you? Put a check next to each statement that feels right. Knowing better
better place.
place.
why
why you
you want
want to
to make
make aa difference
difference can
can help
help you
you figure
figure out
out what
what
causes to dedicate your time and energy
causes to dedicate your time and energy to. to.

o
o

Helping
Helping others
others
makes
makes me feel
me feel
really happy.
really happy. o
o
Helping
Helping gives
gives
me
me a sense of
a sense of
purpose.
purpose. o
o
II want
want to
to learn
learn
more
more about my
about my
community
community and and
the
the world.
world.
o
o
II want
want to
to be
be part
part of
of
o
o
aa community that
community that
II like matters
matters to
to me.
like using
using my
my me.
o
voice to lift
voice to lift
o
II want
want my
my
others
others up.
up. community
community
o
o to
to be
be safe
safe for
for
II want everyone.
want to
to be
be everyone.
aa leader.
leader.
All
All these
these reasons
reasons are
are worthwhile,
worthwhile, and
and
they
they might
might change
change asas you
you grow.
grow. Do
Do you
you
o
o have
have any other reasons for wanting to
any other reasons for wanting to
Speaking help?
help? Jot
Jot them
them down
down inin aa notebook
Speaking out
out about
about and
notebook
important
important issues makes
issues makes and keep
keep itit nearby.
nearby. The
The statements
statements you
you
checked
checked will
will help
help you
you decide
decide what
what to
to
me feel confident
me feel confident focus
focus on
on and
and how
how you’ll
you’ll make
make positive
positive
and
and strong.
strong. change
change inin the
the world.
world.
200 201
changemaker’s Pictures of leaders you look up to
notebook
It can be helpful to keep all your notes, ideas, and research
in one place. Fill your changemaker’s notebook with ques-
tions, concerns, and facts you learn about the issue you’re
researching. This is a great place to begin jotting down ideas
or plans about how you’ll take action.
book:
put in your note
Other things to
Clippings from magazines,

articles, and posters
Sketches or doodles
that relate to the
cause you care about
Quotes from
blogs or
podcasts
Inspirational sayings that motivate you

se
Facts that relate to the cau
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference


Body Body
Im age Image
how to love yourself, live life to the fullest,
how to love yourself, live life to the fullest,
and celebrate all kinds of bodies and celebrate all kinds of bodies
by Mel Hammond
illustrated by Maike Plenzke
Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1 A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image
Body
Image
Basics
Body image is the way you
think and feel about your body.
Having a positive body image

helps you do the things you
love without worrying about
what your body looks like while
you do them. You can use your
body to express the true you,
fully and completely.
No matter what size or shape your

body is, what it looks like, or how
it changes in the future, you can
enjoy all the amazing things your
body can do. Starting . . . now!
206 207
I wish I
the body blues

hadI wish
hair like
I
the body blues Peers hadyours.

hair like
Peers yours.
Everyone worries about their body sometimes, even the most
confident girls youabout
Everyone worries know.their
Andbody
it’s nosometimes,
wonder—messages about
even the most
how girls’ bodies
confident “should”
girls you lookit’s
know. And appear all over the place: about
no wonder—messages
how girls’ bodies “should” look appear all over the place:
Social media
Magazines Social media
Magazines
and books
and books
No, I
wantNo,
hairI like
Mannequins at
yours!
want hair like
Mannequins at
clothing stores yours!
clothing stores
If only I could Family
Iffitonly
intoI these
could Family
fitold jeans.
into these
old jeans.
You’re
great as you
You’re
are, Mom!
great as you
TV and Advertisements are, Mom!
TV and
movies Advertisements
movies
If you’ve got the body blues, you’re not alone. In fact, over half of girls
in third, fourth,
If you’ve got theand
bodyfifth grades
blues, say they’re
you’re unhappy
not alone. In fact,with
overtheir
halfbodies.
of girls
But no one
in third, bodyand
fourth, size, shape,
fifth color,
grades say ability,
they’reor gender with
unhappy is better
theirthan any
bodies.
But noAll
other. onebodies
body are
size,good.
shape, color, ability, or gender is better than any
other. All bodies
The great news isare
thatgood.
there are steps you can take to ward off that
worry andnews
The great embrace your
is that unique
there self. you can take to ward off that
are steps
worry and embrace your unique self.
208 209
Quiz
body image check-up

Is your body image cheering you on or holding you back?
1. Your friend invites

you to a pool party to
celebrate the first day
of summer. Your first
thought is . . .
a. Fun! I can practice
my cannonball.
b. Uh-oh. How will I
look in my swimsuit? 4. How much time do you spend in front of the mirror every day?
c. No way am I putting a. Long enough to brush my teeth and do my hair.
on a swimsuit. I’ll just
pretend I’m sick. b. Less than an hour. Sometimes I like what I see, and other
times I don’t.
2. What do you love most about your body? c. Sometimes I stare at my face and body for hours, thinking
about all the things I wish I could change.
a. I love all the amazing things I can do in this body!
b. I like the way certain parts of my face, hair, and body look.
c. Honestly, nothing about my body is that great.
5. You’re about to audition for a
3. During math class, your teacher big role in a play, but an older
introduces Sonia, a new student. girl says you don’t look right
She has the smoothest skin you’ve for the part. You . . .
ever seen! What thought crosses
a. laugh it off. You know
your mind?
you look great, and you’ve
a. I hope she’s nice. Maybe we can been practicing all week!
be friends!
b. write on your audition
b. Does my skin look like hers? form that you’re only
Maybe I need a new skin-care interested in a back-
routine. ground role.
c. My skin looks horrible com- c. skip tryouts. Auditioning
pared to hers. Everyone will like would just make you feel
her more than they like me. worse about yourself.
210 211
Answers
Mostly a’s: You’re a buddy to
your body. You appreciate the
life your body allows you to live, and
you’re pretty happy with the way you
look. You listen to your body and try
6. You spot a shooting star in to give it the food, movement, and
rest it needs to feel good. You might
the night sky. What do you
worry about your appearance every
wish for?
now and then, and that’s OK. Keep
a. A spot on the basketball practicing body love, and you’ll be
team. Wait, no! A trip able to hold your head high as your
to Paris. Or maybe that I body continues to grow and change!
grow up to be president!
I can’t choose.
b. A few improvements to
the way I look
Mostly b’s: You’re riding
c. A whole new body a body image seesaw.
You like the way you look . . .
sometimes. Other times, you
focus on the things you’d like
7. You’re looking through photos from your class trip to the Grand to change. You wish you didn’t
Canyon. What’s on your mind? think so much about your body,
a. I had so much fun! It felt so good to be outside. but you can’t help it. With a
little boost of body love, you’ll
b. How do I look? Maybe I should’ve worn something different be on your way to a happier
that day. partnership with your body.
c. These pictures are terrible. I wish I’d stayed home.
Mostly c’s: You’re body

stressed and obsessed.
It seems like life would be easier
if you could switch bodies with
someone else. There’s a lot you’d
love to do in life, but it all feels
impossible with the way your body
looks and feels. You’re not alone,
and it’s not your fault you feel this
way. Reading this book is a great
first step toward loving yourself
and living life to the fullest!
212 213
Awesome affirmations
loving your body Throughout this book, look for Body Image
right now
Boost activities to help develop a healthy
body image. Here’s one to get you started.
Grab some colorful sticky notes and write
No matter what your body looks or feels like, and no matter how it something awesome about yourself on each
changes in the future, you can start loving it—right now. one. This is called an affirmation. Aim for
affirmations that celebrate who you are, not
Loving your body
what your body looks like.
means respecting and how much
accepting it no matter . . . it weighs.
I’m
smart.
what I’m a
it looks good .
like. friend
what sha
pe
it is. My
friends
can
count
on me.
how different
it looks from how it
other bodies. moves. There’s no
I tell
hilarious one else
jokes. like me.
Stick these notes to

your bathroom mirror, in
your locker, inside your
how i I give planner, above your bed, or
change t great anywhere else you can see
the fut s in hugs.
ure. them. Every day, read your
what special
affirmations out loud to
care, medicine,
or adaptive remind yourself how
equipment it I’m awesome you are.
needs. c fident.
o n
214 215
body bliss
What’s so great about developing a positive body image? It’s important
for your health!
Loving your body can lead to:
Confidence Strong
mental
health
Happiness
High
self-esteem
(liking who Determination
Healthy
you are, to achieve
eating and
inside and your goals
exercise Long story short:
habits out)
loving your body
is good for you!
To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image


Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1
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Smart Girl’s Guide Collection: Vol 1

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race & Inclusion Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Crushes Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Worry Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Knowing What to Say Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Liking Herself Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Understanding Families Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Friendship Troubles Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Digital World Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Sports & Fitness Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Getting It Together Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Manners Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Money Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Middle School Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference Excerpt

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image Excerpt

by Patricia Daniels and Darcie Johnston

join the club

You can join that great tradition.

family traditions My family makes monkey bread

the joys of cooking Cooking keeps you

3. a.tonight’s dinner. Your

take a chance on yogurts, a blueberry smoothie soon.

To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Cooking

10 Return to Table of Contents

starting your journey

what is race? But sometimes people treat

Racism is how society treats racial

Latinx: people who trace their back-

To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race & Inclusion

22 Return to Table of Contents

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become huge, humongous, gigantic

you have excited, you have fun

0:36 a.m. 10:36 a.m.her favorite

Max and Gabriella ignore each other when

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hormones staying normal

• Eye contact is normal. • Eye contact is iffy.

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the daily drama

Olivia is talking a mile a minute. Is she

Ava sat next to

What’s with all the drama?

One minute you’re upset with your friend Ashley. The

46 Return to Table of Contents

tied up in knots ugh

an What if y locker combination?

he understand how it feels. s look hor

the truth is, a lot of girls struggle with worry.

why all the Life is changing.

worry? Life is packed.

There are always problems.

Worry can be contagious.

fight freeze so run

To read the rest of A Smart Girl’s Guide: Worry

58 Return to Table of Contents

Creating a list of dream destinations is a fun Display your

Here are somee id eas Vision board