Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular

Combining her personal experiences and academic credentials, Bialik—television star, mother of two, and neuroscientist—tackles six aspects of what she calls “girling up, ” “the transition from girl to young woman.” When discussing widely covered topics that include body and image, the importance of a balanced diet, exercise, and growth, Bialik adds a few novelties—for example, yoga poses that relieve menstrual cramps and the introduction of mindfulness to eating and stress management. The chapters “How We Love,” “How We Cope,” and “How We Matter” provide greater value; they are direct, comprehensive, and emphasize the importance of taking responsibility and making choices based on knowledge and self-awareness. Unfortunately, good points are too often buried within a paragraph, and Bialik’s understanding of how the brain works is underused. The book is careful to avoid judgment, conversational in tone, and filled with common sense advice, but Bialik at times harks back to her own era rather than fully addressing issues—especially pressing concerns such as sexting and cyberbullying—raised by the explosion of digital technology. Ages 12–up. Agent: Anthony Mattero, Foundry Literary + Media. (May)