A Smart Girl's Guide: Making a Difference: Using Your Talents and Passions to Change the World

by Melissa Seymour

Girls have the power to make a difference, whether that's in their own lives, their community, or even the world! But it can be confusing to know where to start. From protecting our planet to helping animals to saying hello to someone who seems lonely, this book offers young readers lots of ideas -- big and small -- on how to spark change. The quizzes, tips, and inspiration from other girls will help her identify her talents, skills, and the causes she cares about most. Then she can find ways to take action and become a change-maker!

Genres: Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2020

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
~~~~
This review will appear on my site on August 16, 2020.
~~~~
According to Amazon, this colorful picture book is aimed for girls ages 8-12, though I would say just a little older for ages 10-12. This book is helpful to girls as they begin to discover who they are and what they are passionate about. This is a short picture book that keeps full attention at 96 pages that at times is also an activity book (there are quizzes and it just leaves the reader thinking).

Making a Difference shows how just one girl can make a huge difference by explaining the ripple effect and giving some real life examples of regular girls and what they did to change things. Specific female ‘celebrities’ are also mentioned. The book gives a variety of ideas of what girls can and will do to make a difference.

I really liked how the illustrations showed such diversity from race, disabilities, religion, and even a little bit of LQBTQ+. The LGBTQ+ reference comes about asking someone what pronoun they use. Younger children may need explanation as to the meaning of this.

Overall, this is a well-done book that put together may help young girls realize their potential and may in fact one day change the community they live in.

Many thanks to the publisher American Girl for granting me a copy via Amazon Vine.

[Beauty in the Binding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference: Using Your Talents and Passions to Change the World from American Girl to use as a supplement to our homeschool curriculum. Being homeschooled, my daughter’s childhood is shaped a bit differently than others her age who go to a traditional school. Though she is involved in extracurricular activities, I still feel that sometimes homeschooling can be very isolated. This book does a great job of encouraging girls to reach out to others, to go beyond their comfort zones, and to create positive changes in the world around them.

I particularly liked that the book included true stories of young girls who have already made a difference in the lives of people around them. The book takes care to point out that any positive change is valuable whether it is big or small. There is a section about making sure the girl takes care of herself because every girl (and every human being) deserves to feel safe and loved.

Overall, I am pleased with A Smart Girl’s Guide: Making a Difference: Using Your Talents and Passions to Change the World from American Girl.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product via the Amazon Vine program. All opinions in this review are my own.

[christinemm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting in the current trend of teaching young people that they can change the world.
No pressure.
Optimistic. Published by American Girl so this is for girls.
Wish a hopeful book for boys or for all genders existed.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction for young girls on how to make a difference in the world and their community. The illustrations are colorful and detailed. It was amazing that they has a Muslim girl in the book.

[Sarah Knope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book written by a friend, and it was such a treat! I wish I had had this book, all about making changes big and small in the world, when I was a kid. The writing and artwork were both amazing and the representation was remarkable. Just loved it.

[Hannah]

Got to contribute my thoughts on an early draft of this one, and I think the final product is pretty sweet!

[Annabelle Kocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

My family runs Yes You’re Invited Inc. (Y2I2)