“Supergirls Speak Out” Reviewed in PW

February 15th, 2009 | 7 Comments

Supergirls Speak Out just got a really nice review in Publishers Weekly, a popular trade publication for the publishing/media industries.

Check it out:

Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls
Liz Funk. Simon & Schuster, $15(256p) ISBN 9781416562634
First-time author Funk defines the term “supergirl” as an over-achieving young woman with a compulsive need to be the best in all areas: school, extracurricular activities, social networking and, of course, physical appearance. As she and her fellows are discovering, however, the pressure of such all-encompassing ambition can result in exhaustion, eating disorders, emotional problems and screwed up priorities. One of Funk’s 100-plus interviewees bemoans that “’[w]hen you Google me, nothing comes up. I need to have Google prowess’”; for herself, Funk confesses her chagrin over publishing her first book (this one) at the age of 20 instead of 18. Though such a young writer can’t possibly tackle the complex state of 21st century feminism without reading (at the least) precocious, freelance writer Funk has done her research, and her writing is lucid and intelligent. A good deal of unnecessary ranting could have been cut, and brand name fatigue sets in early (one hopes Funk is getting kickbacks from Starbucks). Still, Funk provides some fresh insights, especially for a younger audience brought up on The Devil Wears Prada and the myth of workplace gender equality, encouraging self-awareness, reasonable priorities, and a healthy outlook. (Mar.)

Ha… I only wish that Starbucks was giving me kickbacks!  After reading this, I mildly considered bringing this review with me to Starbucks and saying, “Hello, I’d like a triple-grande-caramel-macchiato… for free?”

Categories: Uncategorized

Reader Commentary

  1. jocelyn | February 15th, 2009 at 11:46 am


    That’s so awesome. Makes me really want to read the book! Congratulations on the great review :-)

  2. Justina Chen Headley | February 15th, 2009 at 11:51 am


    FANTASTIC review, Liz! You should definitely be Starbucks’ official poster girl.

  3. irisira | February 15th, 2009 at 3:38 pm


    I’m excited to read it. :)

  4. lizfunk | February 15th, 2009 at 5:42 pm


    Awww thanks everyone!!

  5. Ian | February 16th, 2009 at 8:08 am


    LIZ!! This is soo cool! I cant imagine how you are feeling! You must be soo pumped (said while simultaneously doing a head knock and horizontal double fist pump)!!! hahahaha. I know I have said it several times already but one more won’t hurt, Im so PROUD of YOU!!! I cant wait to read the book. Its gonna be great reading for my upcoming break!!!

  6. marci alboher | February 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm


    Brava Liz! It took me till almost 40 to be able to call myself an author, so imagine what you’ll have published by that age!

  7. Lose That Girl | February 18th, 2009 at 9:50 am


    Liz, I’m really looking forward to reading your book & discussing it with you! You’re very inspiring!

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