family & relationships / life stages / adolescence

"Comedian and activist Akilah Hughes shares everything about her journey from a childhood in the south to the big screen while dispensing invaluable big-sister-style advice to a generation of future YouTubers"--Provided by publisher.

"This...comparative study provides...accounts of the personal experiences of young people who care deeply about their communities and are actively engaged in a variety of public issues"--Back cover.

Draws on new research to explain why the adolescent years are so developmentally crucial, and what we must do to raise happier, more successful kids. Adolescence now lasts longer than ever before. This makes these years the key period in determining individuals' life outcomes, demanding that we change the way we parent, educate, and understand young people. Leads readers through a host of new findings that reveal what the new timetable of adolescence means for parenting 13-year-olds (who may look more mature than they really are) versus 20-somethings (who may not be floundering even when it looks like they are). Also explains how the plasticity of the adolescent brain, rivaling that of years 0 through 3, suggests new strategies for instilling self-control during the teenage years.

A guide, for parents and teachers, to helping girls navigate their transition to adolescence, including the voices of tweens who share their experiences, anecdotes, and advice on everything from stress to body image to getting along with parents, and providing real-life examples and practical strategies.