Girlhood: Teens Around the World in Their Own Voices

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.