Boys: Surviving Crushes, Staying True to Yourself & Other Love Stuff (American Girl: a Smart Girl's Guide)

I'm a middle school teacher and I purchased this book to lend to the girls in my classes. I do not have enough time to talk about certain topics in class (I'm supposed to be teaching English, but you know, it's inevitable they'd want to have other discussions sometimes and lately 'crushes' has been one of them). I needed a guide which was relevant, interesting and educational. I read through it before and wished I had something like this while I was growing up. I started out by reading a few excerpts from the book during the last five minutes of class. However, the girls decided that this was not enough and all demanded to borrow it. So far they have been circulating it among themselves and I'm just happy that they are excited about reading! I wish I could have bought one for all of them! I also wish there was a series like this for boys. I think my boys feel a bit left out.

I have purchased many of the titles in this line for my daughter who will be starting middle school in a few months. I really like the books and so does she. She expected the American Girl doll brand to be childish, but they aren't. The books (we own quite a few now) are informative and not intimidating. They know their audience well. We are both happy.

I got this for my eleven year old granddaughter who is starting to complain about her friends only talking about "who likes who" . She has enjoyed other American Girl books about friendship, bullying, bodily changes, etc., so I think she will be very pleased to receive this one as well. These guides are well written and easy for young girls to understand and relate to the situations depicted.

I’ve been reading this with my 9 year old. She requested this book as she has a crush :) I don’t fully agree with every word in this book, but it allows for conversation and has really helped us both understand some things. While I don’t agree with 100%, I still recommend because you can explain to your children how you see things, your experiences and what you’d like them to take away from the book.

My daughter asked for this book. She's in 5th grade, just when boys don't make any sense. I thought it was good that the book talked about when boys tease you its because they like you. She hears that from me, but I don't think she really believes it. I didn't believe it either when I was that age. We have a lot of the American Girl series and I can't say enough about them. She like to read them in private, but then she comes and talks to me about it, so I think they are great conversation starters and the books reflect our values, so I don't worry that they are going to tell her to start dating boys or something.

I am crush kind of dating this cute guy and I want a good relationship.this is a great book to buy.it tells about how to solve relationship problems and what to do on dates, and it has answers from real boys asking questions from girls.I find it very useful because it tells that you have a choice of personal space from boys and........ oops I don't want to spoil the book!

This book has been so helpful for my 8 year old daughter. I'm reading it to her so there are a few parts of the book I omitted because I didn't think they applied to her (such as boys asking girls out and vice versa). She isn't ready for that and I don't want to put ideas in her head. It has been helpful explaining how to deal with crushes. I'd recommend it for any girl who is starting to get interested in boys, but parents should definitely read it with their kids.

All of the Smart Girl's Guides are tween/young teen approved. Sometimes my young one doesn't know what to ask or has no idea about a concept until she reads it - then it all fits for her in many ways. Sometimes she reads, and we discuss further. These books are done in an easy reading, quick to scan, non-formal education way that appeals to my girl.

The American Girl "Smart Girl" guides are really great books for girls entering puberty. My 9 year old daughter has the Smart Girl guide to Liking yourself and the Care and Keeping of you for younger girls and asked for this for Christmas. Like all the Smart Guides for younger girls, it is very age appropriate and helps them understand their changing feelings and gives them advice and potential answers to questions they might have. A good book for 9 - 11 year olds.

Best for pre teens who are thinking about boys!! Great guide to help them with questions they don't always want to talk to parents about!!

almost bought the all series for my daughter, she love it, and learn how to handle the situation

I would strongly recommend this and all of the American girl series books. They offer really sound and level advice that is age appropriate and helpful. As a parent, it is difficult to give sound and objective advice when the person you are counselling is so dear to you so it is great to have an external source that you can read together or that they have as a personal resource..

My daughter is still struggling with the concepts within this book, but it really helps me to guide her and gives her a good independent reading source.