Psychologist and physician Leonard Sax's work with young people reveals that girls today have an incredibly brittle sense of self. Though they may look confident on the outside, teens and tweens are fragile inside, obsessed with grades, sports, networking sites, and appearances. They are confused about their sexual identity, as environmental toxins are accelerating physical maturity faster than their emotional maturity.

Now, Sax gives us the tools we need to help girls become independent and confident women. He provides parents with practical tips on everything from helping their daughter make decisions to nurturing her spirit through female-centered activities to getting her involved in communities of female role models, which give young women pride and allow them to grow in a safe environment that nurtures curiosity and confidence.