The Christian Girl's Guide to Style

"The Christian Girl's Guide" series offers seven books to target young teens' greatest concerns. This volume -- The Christian Girl's Guide to Style written by Sherry Kyle -- encourages readers to "create the most stylish YOU inside and out!"

While each chapter focuses on a different element of style -- clothes, hair, accessories, skin care, etc. -- every chapter maintains a consistent format.

• A Bible verse introduces a short fictional story (2-4 pages).
• "What Do You Think?" encourages readers to interact with the stories by answering specific questions in the provided space.
• Sidebars offer style tips, encouraging Bible verses and "Did You Know?" facts.
• "Ask Kelsey" features Q&A.
• "What Does the Bible Say" quotes several relevant Scripture passages for meditation.
• "Letters to God" offers a written prayer from one of the story's characters and a prompt for readers to write their own.

All chapters also include either a "Try It!" or a "Make It!" section. The "tries" feature activities to do in the book, such as a crossword, word scramble, or accessory match-up. The "makes" provides step-by-step crafts like a "decoupage painter's hat", "confetti nails", or "shirt pillow." These fun activities encourage skills of painting, cutting, even sewing.

What I Like: This book is great. It's thorough and written at an age-appropriate level. Both the content and design -- which is peppered with simple illustrations by Anita DuFalla -- appeal to the target audience. The activities are highly varied and creative. I was quite impressed. And the Scriptural emphasis pervades every chapter. I love that!

What I Dislike: The coin purse that accompanied the book broke within minutes of reaching my seven-and-a-half-year-old's hands. It's a novelty and a cute sales ploy, but the poor quality definitely disappointed me and my daughter.

As for the book itself, there's not much to dislike! A few of the verses don't quite match the stories and seem a bit out of context, but overall I think this is a great resource, albeit far from timeless. Styles change so very quickly, I wonder if and when updated editions will be planned.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Legacy Press, 2010; ISBN: 1584110902; Paperback; 192 pages; $9.99

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