Have you gone through something trying, shameful, or heartbreaking and wished someone had told you ahead of time how your troubles could have been avoided? Have you felt utterly alone, like no one could possibly understand what you're going through or where you're coming from? For countless young women across America, the answer to these questions is a resounding "yes". Empowerment speaker, entertainment journalist, and founder of one the most successful college circulated hip-hop magazines ever, Yasmin Shiraz knows how these young women feel because she has talked, heart to heart, with many of them. What's more, she herself once struggled with many of the same insecurities and dilemmas-from identity crises to boyfriend problems.

Drawing on her own teenage diaries, she shares her most painful, shameful, sobering, and also triumphant experiences to serve as a roadmap and moral compass through the terrifying and thrilling transition into womanhood. "Learn from my mistakes," Shiraz urges her young readers.

In an authentic and empathetic voice, THE BLUEPRINT FOR MY GIRLS offers ninety-nine expressions of self-validation. For each, Shiraz presents a heartfelt personal testimony, followed by a principle for living and questions for serious contemplation. Throughout, girls as young as twelve, and as old as twenty-two, will find inspiration in the words of wisdom about self-respect, personal integrity, courage, achievement, and perseverance. They'll also take comfort in candid discussions of sensitive issues, including weight and body image, romantic betrayal and date rape, and coping with divorce and death. Shiraz divides the journey for every searching, striving, struggling adolescent into three phases:

1. Your FOUNDATION is where you build who you are going to become in life.

2. Your COMPOSITION is where you arrange your life options, decisions, challenges, and experiences to assist in preparing yourself for womanhood.

3. Your FORTIFICATION strengthens your life and reinforces decisions and experiences that empower, motivate, and encourage you to become a strong, proud woman.

Insightful, uplifting, and empowering, Shiraz's expressions to guide young women include:

Throughout and above all, Shiraz encourages every young woman to keep a positive outlook, remain determined, and expect to make mistakes. Although she speaks directly to teens, her book also has a lot to say to parents grappling for a way to connect with their daughters about everything from peer pressure to the importance of believing in herself. For any young woman who feels isolated, misunderstood, helpless, or hopelessly confused, THE BLUEPRINT FOR MY GIRLS is a welcome voice of reassurance and a steadfast friend in need.

Shiraz sends out a gift of understanding, support, and motivation to all her soul sisters in THE BLUEPRINT FOR MY GIRLS: How to Build a Life Full of Courage, Determination & Self-Love

A Fireside Original/Simon & Schuster
Price: $12.00
ISBN: 0-7432-5214-4