OK, so life has given you an assignment: You are a teenage girl who has to develop, evolve and mature into a happy and successful woman. There is no turning back now. The wheels of life are in motion. You are on the road to becoming an adult, like it or not!

Perhaps you do like the idea. Perhaps you are excited and hopeful and ready to take on the future. Or maybe the assignment has taken you by surprise. "Yesterday I was playing with Barbie and riding my bike, and today I have to make decisions about … WHAT?!" (Sex, college, career, relationships!)

I’ve been there. And the adult women you know have been there, too. It is not easy. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret: The changes, the choices and sometimes confusion don’t end with your teens. I know it doesn’t seem possible, but you will be growing, changing and experiencing many new things throughout most of your 20s, too. The process just STARTS now, in your teens. To add to the confusion are the many mixed messages bombarding you. Movies, music videos and teen magazines put thoughts in your head. They make you feel like you should look, dress and act a certain way.

Who can you turn to for advice or direction? Television talk shows mostly address adult situations or extreme situations for teens. Teen magazines promote glamour, fashion, hairstyles and boys as what it’s all about. And

your friends, although you love them, are going through much of the same stuff that you are. You can share your concerns with them, but you want someone to talk to who’s been there. Even if you are fortunate enough to have parents who are attentive and want to be there for you, it is still often difficult to take advice from them. You feel that they still see you as a "kid," or like you used to be, when you feel so different now.

So where does all this leave you? What’s a girl to do? This book is written especially for you! In the following nine chapters, you will find straight talk and insights on issues that you’re facing. I hope you will find the information interesting, thought-provoking and most of all … helpful!