American Girl books & other titles on relational aggression

[Pilsy]

Has anyone here read the American Girl "The Care and Keeping of You" book? I thought it was highly regarded around here, but then I read some reviews, and now I don't know what to think. I don't need something like this right now but was hoping to find something I could tuck away and pull out in a year or two.

Also, any chance someone has read any of these books on relational aggression? I am interested in something my 7-year-old and I can read and discuss. 

www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=19996

[af1212]

Maybe it would help to say what you found concerning in the reviews? Both of my older kids have the book and have read it. I don’t have any concerns but maybe I’m missing something.

[hocus2]

The care and keeping of you is just a general puberty book. I read it and it was great option to introduce that topic to girls but doesn't talk about friendships. There are 2 versions - one for younger and one for older girls. The American Girl books do have ones specifically about friendships which are in the link you posted.

I am not sure what reviews you're seeing on the Care and Keeping of you that concern you but the only thing that maybe popped on my radar was I didn't love how they addressed weight gain (if I am recalling correctly it has been 2 years since I read it) but over all I though it was fine. Girls are developing younger than they did 20 years back so I would start this conversation by 8 which ever book you use.

[mrsGreeko]

Both my DDs read and liked the care and keeping of you books. I flipped through them and thought the info was good and presented well personally.

In any case I’ve also read Queen Bees and Wannabees and actually read it with my oldest. It had some good information.

My DDs also have the a smart girls guide to drama, rumors and secrets. As well as a lot of the other smart girls guides (to friendships, to family, to money, to boys, etc). They (mostly the older one, younger one was less into them) liked them a lot.

[nicolewi]

We like them. I also have the boy version, “Guy Stuff”.

[bronxgirl]

My daughter and her friends really liked The Care and Keeping of You, as well as AG's other books. I'm not sure what your concerns are, but I would recommend AG books.

[zarapipe]

I’d also recommend them. I didn’t read them cover to cover but looked it over and my Dd will bring the book to me with questions. It has helped us have conversations together and answered so many of her questions.

[alicethellama]

This is an awesome body positive book on puberty for girls.

www.sonyareneetaylor.com/books/celebrate-your-body-and-its-changes-too-the-ultimate-puberty-book-for-girls

I had originally gotten the Care and Keeping for my DD, but wasn’t a fan of how they discussed weight gain in it. She does have the AG book on Drama and friendships on your list. I haven’t read it cover to cover, but what I skimmed through was good.

[fancynewbeesly]

DD1 who is 10 LOVES care and keeping of you. I think she read it about 3 times now. Bookmarked and highlighted it. She usually reads it at bedtime when I am in the room so we discuss different parts. Mostly the food section because DD1 definitely doesn’t need low fat in her diet.

[Pilsy]

Thanks, everyone. I should have mentioned it seemed like the bad reviews pointed to the weight stuff. One mentioned something about planting insecurities.

I'm not going to sweat it. I'll look it over before sharing with her, but it sounds like it's a good resource. Thanks again.

[ssmjlm]

Other than the food/weight section, the rest is really good at breaking down information and presenting it easily. E's pedi recommended it at her well check and did say to skip the food stuff since it needs to be updated.