Peggy Orenstein's seminal book has become a clarion call for change
             within the public school systems regarding the disparity of treatment
             between boys and girls. The book draws felicitous attention to the
             critical issue of American culture's deleterious effects upon its young
             women. According to Orenstein, within the educational system boys and girls
             are treated differently, and the results are damaging to the self esteem of
             ht the latter. Orenstein focuses on the American educational systems'
             approach to girls and subsequent effects on the girl's self-esteem. In
             addition she discusses parental influences and examines coping styles, or
             adaptive propensities of various cultural subgroups in relation to the
             effects these issues have on the developing self confidence of young women.
             Orenstein uses two west coast school system populations to draw her
             observations. However, with such a small sampling the conclusions of her
             results could be considered suspect. Her unique approach was designed to
             make the subject matter relevant to a number of educational sub
             populations. Educators from all levels should consider reading this book,
             as it addresses the conscious and sometimes unconscious differences in the
             treatment of girls in the classroom. While much of the book is critical of
             educators, the final section entitled Through the Looking Glass suggests a
             path for change, and is perhaps the most important for educators to digest.
             While the earlier chapters of the book describe actual events and lives at
             the different schools, depicting a predominantly negative theme, the final
             chapter gives a positive example of a teaching curriculum and style that
             can be implemented in other school systems to correct for the gender
             disparity, and would benefit the children whether embraced by the entire
             system or attempted by a single teacher.
             The final chapter offers a means for effecting...