A Smart Girl's Guide: Making a Difference: Using Your Talents and Passions to Change the World (American Girl® Wellbeing)

I absolutely LOVED this book. You can tell that every page of this book was lovingly crafted with young movers and shakers in mind. The spotlight stories, quizzes, and workbook-type pages work to inspire and guide young women to identify their strengths and nurture their passions. The book serves to instill a sense of agency and purpose in young activists and provides a framework for positive social change on both an individual and community level. Even as an adult, this book managed to break through the overwhelming disillusionment that has come with 2020, and reminded me about the power of attitude, perseverance, and small changes. I have and will continue to recommended this book to anyone who works with young women, or any young person with a desire to make a difference in their community, big or small.

It's never too early or too late to learn about how to make a difference in your community! Even though it's meant for younger girls, it is interactive, educational and thought-provoking for all ages. I love that it highlights how our different talents can be used as strengths. It also normalizes diverse cultures and backgrounds with super adorable illustrations of young girls from all walks of life! Overall, really powerful message. I can't wait to read it to my kids some day!

Love this book and the actionable steps it gives to not only find a cause that you are passionate about but how to then pursue it and make a positive change. There are specific fundraising, donating, volunteer, and raising awareness ideas as well as a template on how to effectively write a letter of complaint to a company about an important issue. This is such an excellent resource for kids who want to get involved but don't know what to do about it, or even which issues make sense for them to champion. Highly recommend for the 8 to 12 year old in your life!

Probably the best thing about this book is that it is empowering and encouraging. It's not going to provide a lot of resources and guidance for actually doing much. There aren't step-by-step instructions. But it would give any girl affirmation that she can make a difference in the world and that she should try. It's really more of a rah-rah book than a how-to guide. And for many girls, that's enough.There is a good amount of diversity, including different ethnicities, and there is a girl wearing a headscarf, one in a wheelchair, and one wearing glasses.There are several quizzes to give the reader ideas about the different kinds of ways that might be a good "fit" for her to volunteer.There is a section on taking care of oneself and what to do if it all becomes too overwhelming (an unexpected, but very valuable, consideration).I found a section at the back of the book, "Getting Started," to be the most helpful and have the most realistic ideas. It has things as simple as "Write thank-you cards to your teachers." Many of the suggestions in this four-page section are simple enough that a child could do them on her own or with minimal help.Another thing I thought was legitimately helpful was the example letter for writing to a company to request a change of some sort.But overall, I was a little disappointed with the book. I would have liked to have seen more solid examples of steps to take. I think many, perhaps most, kids will need a lot of help and direction to do anything beyond the "Getting Started" section, and many parents simply don't have the skills themselves (I know I don't!). But some girls (and/or some parents) are very resourceful and just need a little encouragement. This book will be good for that. And I think the overriding message of the book, "You can make a difference," is important.

This guide breaks down how to make a difference into interactive sections. From fund raising to volunteering time in your community, the thoughtful sections provide tips to tangibly put your passions into motion to make create change for good. Such an important piece for teens (and adults) to consult as we all try to hone in on transferring skill sets and interests into helpful initiatives. Gorgeous and informative illustrations as well. Makes for an amazing gift!

Interesting reading for young girls. It is written in a way that appeals to their level. The whole series is well done.

Beautiful book, well written, and informative. A must buy for kids!

Great book, can't wait to read it to my grandaughter when she is old enough.