School Library Journal Review

Gr 10 Up-This collection of personal stories, poems, and art by young Canadian women is a true testament to the power of the arts in girls' lives. The selections give expression to teens' struggles and joys. The themes are universal: "voices: telling truths about ourselves and our girlhoods"; "beauty: rants & reflections on love, desire & the beauty beast"; "strength: speaking out about our struggles & calling for change"; and "becoming: tales of where we've been & visions of where we're going." Among the standouts are Kyra Shaughnessy's "Forget Me Not," a teen's musings on her place in the world, and Claire Heisler's haunting poem, "In My Head," which offers a glimpse of a young girl's image of self filtered through her mind's eye. Diana Biacora's "Open Letter," a powerful story of immigration, is a journey of self-acceptance and discovery. Especially poignant is Hannah Schultz-Durkacz's "when you're yourself," a letter to her former BFF. Anonymous's "Finding the Pieces" is a heartbreaking story of a young girl learning to trust after her birth mother gives up parental rights. The only weak spot is the artwork-the quality of the reproductions does not always do justice to the selections. This exploration of the up and downs of being female is sometimes raw but always real. It is sure to strike a chord with its intended audience.-Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.