The Blueprint for My Girls: How to Build a Life Full of Courage, Determination, & Self-Love

By Yasmin Shiraz

Book Overview

Have you ever wished that someone had told you ahead of time how a problem could be avoided?
Do you feel like no one understands where you're coming from?
Now there's a blueprint that can offer you comfort, motivation, and real solutions.
When Yasmin Shiraz launched Mad Rhythms, a hip-hop magazine aimed at college students, she visited youth organizations and colleges across the country to teach young people how to effectively pursue their dreams. Drawn to Yasmin's confidence and determination, young women in particular sought her opinion on topics such as body image, popularity, dating, sexuality, child-parent relationships, and social and academic pressures. Yasmin could easily speak to those issues. She struggled with many of the same concerns when she was younger.
Inspired by the common threads connecting each generation, Yasmin developed The Blueprint for My Girls to help young women discover who they are, develop a sense of self, and stay positive. In the book, Yasmin pairs her personal stories with 99 "expressions" designed to help readers deal with situations they may not feel comfortable discussing with friends and family. Each expression is accompanied by exercises to help readers progress on their journey.
Staying real without being preachy, The Blueprint for My Girls will be a solution giver, a problem solver, and a friend in need for generations to come.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743252144
• ISBN13: 9780743252140
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

TTTMD reviews a star !

I have a teen group called Teens Trying To Make a Difference, I ordered it to work with my girls an they really love the book. It has been a big help with my program. I have 37 girls in my group but i could only afford to buy 9 books. I buy everything for my girls out of my pocket. We are very pleased with them.

Book of wisdom

This is more than just a book of wisdom for young girls - this book has heart! Yasmin has created a useful guide that takes a look into the trials and tribulations many young women face today. She guides you through those curves that life seems to throw, shows you what happens when you respond to negativity, how to rise above and beyond problems and she gives HER story, when she was at that point, what she learned from it. I found this guide to be more of a personal journey from one women to another. A guide that will take young girls over the humps and let them know, someone was there before they were, that they are not alone in what they feel at times. The book is full of wisdom and encouragement. A very useful guide every young woman should own, This isn't just another self help book, this book has heart !Reviewed by; DawnJan.2003

The Blueprint for My Girls

I am in a scholarship program for African American teenagers called Jabberwock and one of the things on our itinerary is to read a novel. The Blueprint fo My Girls was chosen as the book for the 2002 particiapants. Upon reading the first few pages of this groundbreaking novel, I was instantly attached. Being 17 and going through those life changing issues is hard enough. So, to have someone who has not only experienced similiar suituations but can give advice on each dilemma is very comforting. Another big plus, is that recently I had the chance to meet the author through the Jabberwock program!!

Guidelines for young women on how to navigate life

Shiraz has been involved with youth for years, bringing the message of this book to a nation through tours and lectures. Blueprint For My Girls is comprised of guidelines for young women on how to navigate life, from selfacceptance and understanding inner beauty to recognizing and resisting behavior patterns that sabotage goals. The testimonial examples gleaned from her life are particularly reinforcing of her blueprint for success.

Blueprint is on time!!!

A co-worker had brought this book for her daughter and showed it to me. After flipping through a few pages I was so engrossed with the contents I had to have my own copy. It showed me that I was not the only one going through challenges without preaching or making me feel like her way(the author) is the way it should be. This book is targeted for 18-30 year olds and being 30 now I wish it was out sooner. I will make sure that any teenage girls I know get a copy of this book. Keep up the good work!!! Can't wait for more from this author.