A companion nonfiction title explores issues arising from the fictional one. Included in the series is a devotional diary, written by Susie Shellenberger in the style of a young girl writing in her diary. It includes devotions just for girls on the journey to becoming teen-agers. The idea for the series sprang from the concerns of women attending Women of Faith conferences across the United States. Background research for the project by Zonderkidz indicates girls do not always get what they need to become strong women.
Parents tend to interact with boys in ways that encourage independence, mastery and self-confidence.
But parental socialization and play activities with girls may be more likely to foster dependence by restricting exploration and providing toys that emphasize beauty and nurturing over skill mastery and action, according to the children's publishing house. He notes that some research organizations believe this time in a girl's life need not be a time of rebellion, but may be a transition period of significant spiritual and emotional growth. That is, 'tween' girls are now generally interested in the fashions and topics that interest teen girls, ages 13-19. Our challenge is now that many 'tween' girls are still in the process of developing the emotional and mental skills to understand what's happening to them. Literature targeted to their age group and its special struggle can help hone those skills, said Nancy Rue, author of 12 books planned for the series.