Pipher became aware of how little she understood the world of adolescent girls today. The reader will have this same realization. Girls are living in a whole new world today. It is not unusual for girls to be miserable in junior high. There are so many changes going on within themselves and around them that coping is difficult.
Most girls recover from early adolescence.
Be available when girls are ready to talk. This is usually when it's most inconvenient for the parents. Encourage daughters to think clearly for themselves. Respect and praise their talk. When teenagers temporarily lose their heads, don't panic.