About This Book

Girls: A History of Growing Up Female in America traces the spirited history of growing up female in America from the perspective of girls themselves. Young girls from all regions of this country and from all walks of life are given a collective voice in this true story of girls' everyday trials and triumphs. The author has dug deep into history and pulled out some of the most telling accounts of girls' lives. There are many stirring stories here - from the Navajo Creation story to the story of Virginia Dare, the first baby of English parentage born in America, and from Maria Concepción Garza's account of family life in nineteenth century Texas to Kristen Lems's effort to ratify the ERA in the 1970s. There are stories from the wilderness and the cities, from the fields and the factories, told by girls of different races, ethnicities, religions, and classes, by girls with heartaches and girls with dreams.

Drawing on diaries, memoirs, letters, household manuals, popular magazines, and advice books, Penny Colman tells the history of this country from individual girls' perspectives. Noted for her picture research and photography, the author has located images of girls and their worlds that are enchanting, inspiring, moving, and unique.