ALA Booklist (Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2020)

Who could imagine that a typical day for a teenage girl in Syria might look the same as one for a girl in Guatemala? In this insightful and inclusive book by award-winning journalist Ahuja, 30 teenagers ages 13 to 19 describe what it's like being a teenager in 37 countries around the world, from Vanuatu to Mongolia to the U.S. Even though their living conditions and socioeconomic circumstances differ, the girls' diary entries, which describe everyday life with their families, friends, hobbies, studies, and thoughts about their futures, have universal themes. Each diary entry is appealingly designed to resemble a scrapbook, with photos and a map of each girl's country. Ahuja includes research and statistics, supported by source notes, that put the treatment of women in some of the girls' countries into context. This book expands upon Ahuja's "The Lily" series in the Washington Post, which featured the stories of 10 girls from 12 countries around the world. These girls' heartfelt, hopeful, and inspiring narratives will resonate with teenage girls everywhere.

Kirkus Reviews

Adapted and expanded from a series in the Washington Post's The Lily, this work collects the experiences of 30 teen girls.Ahuja asked her subjects to keep daily journals, excerpts from which are enhanced by photographs, as well as answer several questions. Each profile also gives some context about the girl's country of residence, such as facts about pop culture, education, and religious traditions. Married 18-year-old Brazilian mom Emilly grew up in a favela, hopes to become a doctor, and is working on her YouTube channel. Sixteen-year-old Emma of Ireland is a Shawn Mendes superfan who got to meet him after winning a radio contest. Jocelyne, 19, is a nursing student in the Democratic Republic of Congo who grew up far from the violence that has affected the eastern part of the country. Chanleakna left her family behind in Cambodia after winning a scholarship to attend high school in Australia at 16. Perhaps most interesting is that while the introductions may describe the odds stacked against each girl, the diary entries are remarkably similar. Everyday activities-church and shopping, hanging out with friends, challenges at school-are ubiquitous. The consistency of the voices, some of which are presented in uncredited translations, underscores the book's mission: to find the common threads in teen girls' lives around the world. This collection has appeal for casual browsing and may spark an interest in learning more about world cultures and issues.An inviting and appealing collection. (maps, afterword, notes) (Nonfiction. 12-16)

School Library Journal (Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2020)

Gr 7 Up-This compilation from debut author Ahuja includes journal entries from teens in Argentina, Australia, Singapore, Nigeria, Syria, and Missouri, among many other locations. The material gives readers a glimpse of the world through the lives of girls in 27 countries, many of whom are being silenced, policed, repressed, and abused. Fleeing during wartime, growing up in poverty, teen motherhood, mental illness, and balancing homework are a few of the issues faced by young women today. One in five marries before the age of 18 (41,000 girls each day), and 130 million are not in school for reasons including their parents need them to work, they live in a place where it's unsafe to go to school because of violence, or they must care for families of their own. Selections feature writing from individuals as well as context provided by Ahuja. VERDICT Full of pictures and the unique voices of teenage girls in a variety of situations and cultures, this book provides a snapshot of teens' lives around the world. Julia M. Reffner, North Chesterfield, VA