Her Next Chapter: How Mother-Daughter Book Clubs Can Help Girls Navigate Malicious Media, Risky Relationships, Girl Gossip, and So Much More

The authors, mother Lori, and daughter Charlotte, collaborate on a very personal account of their five years in a book discussion group of mothers and daughters during the girls' pre-adolescent and early teen years. Full of helpful strategies for running a book group, the authors also include lists of titles along with discussion questions, activities, and media sites. This is much more than than a guide for a mother/daughter book group. The book covers a wide range of issues from self-image to sexual identity to abuse of women, all with accompanying resources and quotes from mental health specialists. The mission of the group profiled is more philosophical than literary: to empower girls through the reading of female-centric literature that addresses difficulties they will face as they grow into women. The writing is candid and conversational. Lori, the group organizer, confides personal issues with the group dynamics, and quickly points out missteps and ways in which the group could have anticipated and headed off problems. Charlotte speaks eloquently of the mother/daughter bonding which results from shared reading and discussion. Of particular concern is the issue of media and marketing influences that marginalize and objectify women. Strategies for encouraging powerful and compassionate behavior are a primary emphasis. An appendix of resources includes other mother/daughter book group guides as well as books on media representation of girls and women. Recommended for parenting collections, as well as professional reading for public and school librarians.—Jackie Gropman, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, VA