Enough as She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy, and Fulfilling Lives

Simmons (The Curse of the Good Girl), cofounder of the nonprofit Girls Leadership, tackles the “college application industrial complex,” perfectionism, defensive pessimism, and other factors that undermine teenage girls’ confidence and happiness. Young American women are more successful than ever, Simmons observes, but she warns that the “anything is possible” mentality has sparked a mental health crisis. Her guide awakens parents to the sources of their daughters’ stress by examining the insidious effects of social media, body shaming, competitive complaining, negative self-talk, and overthinking. She then shows how girls, with their parents’ help, can prioritize confidence and self-compassion along with achievement. Simmons acknowledges that parenting adolescent girls can be tough, and in one especially helpful section prescribes eight emotional-support strategies for moms and dads to share with daughters as they navigate this challenging phase together. In her role as a researcher and leadership specialist, Simmons encountered college-age girls from a range of backgrounds, and here uses their stories to complement her interviews with precollege adolescents. Her book persuasively demonstrates that girls can replace the toxic cultural imperative for “more” with their own vision of a fulfilled life. Agent: Gail Ross, Ross Yoon Agency. (Mar.)