Three cheers to Dr. Burt Konzak and his two daughters, Mélina and Sonya: These three just wrote an amazing book to prepare even the smallest girl to handle the most overwhelming situations. Girl Power: Self-Defense for Teens is the teen girl's guide to the basic principles of self-defense. It's full of helpful advice and great pictures of every technique; but most importantly, read this and you'll know how to HURT your attacker.

Dr. Burt did not produce this book alone. His daughters, aged 13 and 17, designed the techniques to be real, practically effortless and the book enjoyable to read. Girl Power includes lots of quizzes and blank areas where you can fill in your thoughts and ideas. This is more than just a book: This is your personal defense program. Dr. Konzak is against guns and weapons, and states clearly that violence should be your last resort. Therefore, he teaches you how to punch, kick and strike the effectively! Hit your target hard and painfully, every time.

However, he does explain how every day items that you may have in your purse or backpack can help fend off a predator:

• Dig out your hairspray...and spray your attacker in the eyes.
• Find your pen...use it to stab him.
• You house keys are a weapon...drag them across his face.
• Hate carrying around those books? One can save your life. Just shove your textbook under his nose.

Not all situations need to be met with such extremes, though. Chapter Six acknowledges small mishaps and offers quick solutions. For example, don't waste time pinching your attacker. Instead, elbow him in the ribs. Follow through with a knee kick to the groin. And if he pushes you from the back (or side or front), do not worry! Chapter Four teaches you how to fall properly.

Overall, this book is handy because it imparts self-confidence that every girl should have all the time, not only in a sticky situation.

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