This book tells it like it is for girls who are either becoming interested in boys themselves or are friends with somebody who's getting goofy about boys. The book answers all kinds of questions you might have, and it includes pop quizzes for things like knowing whether you're interested in boys now or whether you're feeling a bit rushed by other kids around you into being interested.

A SMART GIRL'S GUIDE is full of straight talk. The author writes as if she's your big sister: she knows what she's talking about, but you can also count on her to tell you if you have food stuck between your teeth. For example, she gives a "Weird-O-Meter Rating" of four (four is tops) for laughing too hard at a boy's jokes. We all need somebody who will tell us straight out if we're being silly, but the author goes even further than that. She tells you how not to be silly. The book is full of more good advice about all kinds of things, but especially about being yourself and not letting your new feelings make you goofy.

With this book you can count on good advice, delivered in a friendly, straight-from-the-heart way. It covers all the bases, even helping you see things from both sides when your best friend wants to spend time with boys now instead of with you --- or vice versa. It's full of cartoon-like illustrations that add to the book's charm and punch. If you want to prepare for a whole new phase of your life, or enter it with grace, you'll want to read this book.

   --- Reviewed by Tamara Penny