Straight Talk for Teenage Girls

Annette Fuson
1st Books Library (2002)
ISBN 1-4033-3274-6
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (4/06)

“Straight Talk for Teenage Girls” is exactly what the title tells us, as Annette Fuson discusses important issues facing all teen girls today. The teen years are a time of change, and this can be confusing, frustrating and even scary for teens. Annette has made a resource for young ladies to go to for answers, suggestions or just for reassurance. During these teen years, hormones are raging, and sometimes it may be easier for a teen to read a suggestion from a reliable source than take some verbal advice from a well-meaning parent.

“Straight Talk” was written for teenage girls and their parents. I think all teen girls could benefit from having such credible information available to them. Annette simply tells it like it is and is straightforward and honest. “Straight Talk” is not meant to be a replacement for a parent’s advice, but rather a supplement. And sometimes maybe a teen is just too embarrassed at first to talk to a parent, so Annette’s resource can help out.

Annette deals with subjects important to all teens such as knowing and liking yourself, dealing with problems and emotions, friendships with both boys and girls, getting out of bad situations, how sex is viewed differently by boys and girls, how to overcome bad choices, and how dreams and goals are so important to have along the way. A nice feature at the end of the book is a question and answer section about issues all teens think about at some point, or soon will. Annette also offers a quiz to take which is meant to tell a teen what kind of a friend she is to others and the importance of having good girl friends. The best way to have good friends is to be a good friend, and we are offered important friendship qualities which will lead to building good and lasting friendships. We are also told of lines commonly used by boys to make a girl feel guilty, and Annette gives girls some great script to use as comebacks! Also included is a “Test Your Boyfriend” questionnaire to see if your boyfriend is really what’s best for YOU. Throughout the book, Annette constantly gives a girl ideas she can do daily to make herself a better person with a good and positive outlook, ultimately leading to higher self-esteem and a true sense of worth.

It is obvious to me that Annette has had first hand experience with teen girls. Her chosen topics and explanations are pertinent to today’s teens and the difficulties and dangers they face on a daily basis. Peers can be so cruel sometimes, but Annette says, “People can’t make you feel bad without your permission!” Usually the ones being cruel are just jealous and have low self-esteem. In all circumstances, Annette encourages teens to ask themselves, “Is this what’s best for ME?”

I can highly recommend “Straight Talk” to all teen girls and their concerned parents. A bit of advice that Annette gives that we can all benefit from is her suggestion on living within a budget. She suggests keeping your credit card in a cup of water in the freezer if you are a spontaneous shopper. Then, if you want something and need the use of the credit card to obtain it, set the cup outside the freezer to thaw. By the time you can actually use the credit card, you will have been given some time to think about the purchase. Do you REALLY want and need it? Great advice in my opinion!

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