The Wonder of Girls: Understanding the Hidden Nature of Our Daughters

I am not a scientist or psychologist but Michael Gurian's presentation of biological differences between males and females makes total sense to me. For years it seemed that many "experts" kept insisting there were no differences that mattered. Apparently they really do matter. As the father of a daughter, and having interacted frequently with a wife, sisters, female co-workers, a mother, aunts and many other females I find this information tremendously liberating. For example, key parts of the female brain are larger on average than in males, and more parts are active at once. Gurian argues that this leads to females having a greater tendency to use words to solve problems rather than, say, starting a war. A good read!

I have two girls (4 & 6). I’m very well read, a professional working with children for over 10 years, and a mom still learning from her own girls. This book was very enlightening in the power of neurological development by stages, hormonal dominance of stages, and general guidelines for supporting and nurturing our girls and women. I know I’m excited for MY girls’ father to get his hands on this information as well. No more deer-in-the-headlights looks when it is so hard for him to “get it”.

I really liked this book. It really reminded me of when I was a girl - how I felt, how I communicated, what I would've liked from my family and friends. It even helped me understand myself a little better, which was a bit surprising.I read the book, passed it on to my neighbor, recommended it to my friend who is a single dad, and then purchased another one for my daughter's dad in hopes that he would read even a portion of it. I now recommend this to anyone who cares for a girl. It really just gives you a different perspective. So much feels!

Michael Gurian sees girls' lives from the lens not only of science but from the experience of raising two strong and successful women. His chapters on digital life, social media use, and screen time are useful and very practical and his understanding of girl drama and how girls become resilient is eye-opening. this is a must read for every parent and educator, and also for girls themselves who will really enjoy understanding themselves through Gurian's warm and emphatic lens.

I haven't read the whole thing but, it is nice how the book is sectioned off so that you really dont have to. You can read about a certain area that you may want to understand a little better about your child.

I really am impressed and moved after reading this book. I not only read it, I study it, use it as a reference guide on bringing up my girls. The thing is my wife (God bless her soul, went to be with the Lord January 25, 2011), gave me a Spanish edition and I never got around to reading it until now. Thank you Mr. Michael Gurian.

The concept of the biological differences affecting the nature of my daughters is one I did not really think about. It looks promising to try and show me the differences between the sexes and how I can teach and learn from my daughters.

Okay, I admit it: I read Gurian's book to be able to devise profiles for some fictional characters I wanted to appeal more realistic.

Thanks to this book I now understand women and, especially young girls' way of seeing the world, their behavior patterns and motives behind them. Young women have always been a mystery to me since I am an only child, have no children and no females in my family except my wife. This mystery for me has made me pay more atttention to them than perhaps they deserve . Thanks Mike for waking me up to reality.

Comprehensive on brain development and hormonal information, some great parenting ideas...but the pieces on spanking and use of time out spoilt it for me...overall a good book which i will keep in my library!