Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: hookup culture, raunch culture, Supergirls Speak Out, New York, She's Such (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First-time author Funk defines the term "supergirl" as an over-achieving young woman with a compulsive need to be the best in all areas: school, extra-curricular activities, social networking and, of course, physical appearance. As she and her fellows are discovering, however, the pressure of such all-encompassing ambition can result in exhaustion, eating disorders, emotional problems and screwed up priorities. One of Funk's 100-plus interviewees bemoans that "'when you Google me, nothing comes up. I need to have Google prowess'"; for herself, Funk confesses her chagrin over publishing her first book (this one) at the age of 20 instead of 18. Though such a young writer can't possibly tackle the complex state of 21st century feminism without reading (at the least) precocious, freelance writer Funk has done her research, and her writing is lucid and intelligent. A good deal of unnecessary ranting could have been cut, and brand name fatigue sets in early (one hopes Funk is getting kickbacks from Starbucks). Still, Funk provides some fresh insights, especially for a younger audience brought up on The Devil Wears Prada and the myth of workplace gender equality, encouraging self-awareness, reasonable priorities, and a healthy outlook.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Like Sara Shandler’s Ophelia Speaks (1999), this title, written by a 19-year-old undergraduate, offers an insider’s view of what it means to be a high-achieving young woman in today’s society. In loosely organized chapters, Funk defines today’s “Supergirls,” who hold themselves to impossible standards, and she explores how typical Supergirl traits play out in young women’s lives at school, at work, in friendships, at home, and in their relationships with men. More information about how Funk researched and gathered the quotes and profiles that fill the heavily anecdotal text would have been welcome, and Funk’s youth and inexperience are clear in the somewhat disorganized, highly repetitive text. Still, the subjects’ frequently echoed frustrations powerfully underscore the book’s clear, cautionary message: young women, facing pressures to succeed at all costs from society, their families, and themselves, are pushing themselves to the breaking point. A few suggestions for change close the book, but it is the honest, urgent, intimate voices, including Funk’s own, that will stay with readers. --Gillian Engberg

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141656263X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416562634
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #505,736 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent First Book, October 28, 2009

By	K. Oczypok "BookLover71085" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Supergirls... ended up being a book that surprisingly drew me in right away. Normally I only read fiction, and mostly chick lit at that, but Supergirls was great. I think I ended up liking it because it was almost like chick lit nonfiction.

As a 24-year-old single woman, Funk's tales from real-life girls was like reading my diary (or any of my friend's) and I could relate to so much of it. I could see this book being required reading for a sociology class or a women's studies class in college--it would actually be something I'd have loved to read!

Like any new author, Funk does have some room to grow with style and maybe branching out to different types of writing would be interesting to see. For a first effort, this is a great accomplishment.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insider's perspective about girls' quest for perfection, October 22, 2009

By	Reader from Arlington, VA (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

Supergirls Speak Out is a well-researched look not only at the pressure girls experience to be "perfect" but also at what can be done about it. Plenty of us have observed ourselves or heard others say that today's kids are busier than ever. But what are the side effects of this need to achieve, especially for girls?

Funk's writing style is engaging as she discusses her interviews with girls and women in various stages of their lives (high school, college and young working professionals). Her voice is authentic and will resonate with the intended audience of the book; Funk's own experiences--that took place not too long ago--lend credibility to her topic.

Recommended for teenage girls, as well as parents and other adults who want to understand what's behind the fact that "today's kids are busier than ever" and how they can help ensure that the girls and young women in their lives remain true to themselves and embrace their individuality.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read!, October 20, 2009

By	Tara Joyce - See all my reviews

"Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls" delves into the hidden problems overachieving women encounter. Everyone knows a "supergirl" but people are too afraid to talk about the turmoil "supergirls" face on the inside. Funk researches this prevalent but overlooked phenomenon in a fun yet insightful voice. She delves into the issues of being a "supergirl" and recognizes the pointlessness in trying to achieve perfection. Society has been waiting for someone bold enough to confront this issue with such honesty. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to stop being a "supergirl" and start living!