…poignant and enlightening”

–Eugene Register-Guard

To find out what’s up with teenage girls, Lauren Kessler goes where no mother has gone before — like the girls’ locker room in middle school. If you’re battered by a daughter who’s 10 times smarter and  100 times cooler than you are, this book could save your sanity. It turns out that that teen monster is still your little girl — just don’t let her know that you know it!

–Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickel and Dimed

The astute, intrepid  Lauren Kessler dives into the deep end of teenage culture in this witty, entertaining,  and ultimately wise tale of surviving her fiesty daughter’s middle school years.   Her book belongs on the nightstand of every parent, and everyone who thinks she may one day become a parent.

–Karen Karbo, Motherhood Made a Man Out of Me

Few relationships are deeper, more fraught, and, when they go right, more blissful than the relationship between a mother and a daughter. But how do we traverse this sometimes rocky terrain? Intelligent, open-hearted and witty, Lauren Kessler’s My Teenage Werewolf supplies a map for mothers of teenage daughters everywhere.

–Peg Tyre, The Trouble with Boys

Those of us who long identified as “daughters” are suddenly on the other side of the divide: we are the mothers. Of teenage girls. Who are perpetually annoyed by us. What’s more, their present dredges up our own past. Yet, therein lies the opportunity for a better future—better relationships not only to our girls but to our own mothers and even to ourselves.  I can think of no better guide through that process than Lauren Kessler, who reports from the frontlines with wit, grit, insight– and truly impressive sangfroid.

–Peggy Orenstein, Waiting for Daisy

When best-selling nonfiction author Lauren Kessler turns to her own household with the sharp eye and reporting skills of an embedded journalist, the life of an American teenager–of HER American teenage daughter–becomes a window onto childhood, adulthood, and all the markers in-between. A child’s precarious climb from immaturity to maturity, with the strong hand of a mother for balance, is illuminated here by a young woman who has given her mother access, and by the mother who has handled that access with respect, empathy, humor, and boundless love.

–Melissa Faye Green, There is No Me Without You

And here’s what BLOGGERS are saying:

With Kessler’s sharp eye for detail and absorbing narrative voice, it is fascinating to watch Lizzie’s terrible teen hood unfold.   Above all, Kessler is a good sport and very likable.  While she emerges from her Jane Goodall-esque expedition into the underworld of the teenage species with some battle wounds, she is no doubt wiser. (The Daily Beast)

Kessler’s honesty, her wit, her insights, and her straightforward writing style combine to create a fascinating study of parenting today’s female adolescent. I highly recommend My Teenage Werewolf for any mother who has raised a teenage daughter, is raising one now, or knows that one is part of her future. (motherdaughterbookclub.com)

Amazingly open and honest. (mrsditter.blogspot.com)

Oh how I can relate. I have a soon-to-be teenage girl….By the third chapter in, I gave up my highlighter and underlining. I stopped taking notes or thinking about how I would share what I was reading. I was just READING. It’s simply a great story. Written so well, you keep turning pages well after 2AM. (Blissfullydomestic.com)

The author brilliantly chronicles her relationship with her daughter and the struggles that threatened their relationship when her daughter turned twelve years old. Their story will make you laugh, nod your head knowingly, and at times make you want to cry. I was so pulled in that when the book ended, I felt as if I was leaving my new “friends” behind.  If you are the mother of a daughter then I would recommend that you run to get this book. (Simply Stacie)

Lauren Kessler brings a thoughtful, entertaining, and sometimes humorous look at the relationship with her daughter. I know I laughed out loud a time or two just thinking to myself, “Yes, I’ve been there,” or “I know exactly what she’s talking about.” I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone with daughters teen or not. It gives you a pretty good perspective on how it is raising daughters through the ‘teen’ years. It’s well-written, and it really hit home for me. Run, don’t walk, to get this. (Carla’s Ramblings and Whatnot)

I want to run out and buy this book for all my girlfriends with daughters. It is not preachy. Is filled with humor and I loved reading Lizzie’s comments to her mom. Through their headbutting you can see a deep, deep love between mother and daughter and that was my favorite part of the book. (Maria’s Space)

Kessler writes in a very light and witty style while tackling a serious subject matter. If you have a daughter, this is a must read book. It made me feel that I wasn’t alone.  I will be honest, things have been super tough with my 12 year old.  This book really helped me a lot.  The tween and teenage years are so hard on everyone, any help is much appreciated to all involved! Being a daughter myself, I also enjoyed the book from that end.  Honestly, I think most women will enjoy this book regardless of if you have your own daughter.  It is just a great read that really makes you look inside yourself.  (Mom of 2 Dancers)

After just reading the first chapter I knew that I had found someone who completely understood what I was going through as a parent with a teenage daughter.  A few times I reached for a tissue because I felt the same hurt Lauren had.  I think the book helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel if I learned to listen and accepted more from what my daughter was feeling during her awkward moments.  I recommend this book for any mother with a teenage daughter; it’ll help from the first page just knowing that you’re not alone. (The Black Cell)

As a mother of four teenagers, three of them being girls, I not only found this book hysterical, but insightful and reassuring. The bond between a mother and daughter is so very strong, but the middle school/high school years will certainly put it to the test! It’s a great read for all moms! You will not only learn from it, but appreciate it as well. (Macaroni Kid)

… told with humor and a lot of compassion.  Kessler is very honest in her portraits of both herself and her daughter.  This is a book for those who are in the thick of the teen years with their own werewolves, as well as for those of us who have a few more years of yips and yelps before the real fangs come in. (Momicillin)

I loved this book!  …Honestly, I wanted to hug Kessler at times… My Teenage Werewolf is at turns an interesting companion, an insightful friend and a fun read. (Hormone-colored Days)

…an intimate scrutiny of a pre-teen but an open, honest process of introspection. My Teenage Werewolf will find a captive audience in mothers of daughters and daughters of mothers. It is the craftily-written story of Lauren Kessler’s quest to understand her mercurial daughter Lizzie as she comes up on her thirteenth birthday. (Family Review Network)

The author does a great job at bringing you into the everyday life of her daughter. I was amazed at the access her daughter gave her to her life (especially as a teenager).…enlightening …gave me definite insights into the thought patterns of a teenager and what a parent might be able to do to better connect with them as they go through these years! I would highly recommend this book to others! (An Island of Life)

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