This is not all home-ec stuff like how to make a quilt, or how to darn socks, although these are useful skills. No, this is indeed “daring,” so includes chapters like “The Ultimate Scooter” and “How to Be a Spy,” along with a section about women spies from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Now, I am not such a history buff, but with historical sections like this and others such as women pirates (PIRATES, people!), I just may turn into one.

Of course there is my own history. I remember making friendship bracelets and God’s Eyes. I recall attempting double-dutch and being completely enamored with (and quite proficient at) Chinese Jump Rope. And it was just a couple months ago that I was thinking about the lyrics to hand-clap games. Turns out my version of Miss Susie [Had a Steamboat] has a different last verse, although all other verses are exactly how I remembered.

(DBFG writes, “ASK me no more questions, I’ll tell you no more lies, Miss Susie’s in the kitchen, making her mud pies.” My version is, “ASK me no more questions, tell me no more lies. The boys are in the bathroom, zipping up their FLIES are in the meadow, bees are in the park, the boys and girls are kissing in the D-A-R-K, D-A-R-K, D-A-R-K, Dark, dark, dark!)

There are plenty of practical bits in here, from “words to impress” to “how to negotiate a salary." There is a two page section on finance, a subject from which I used to shy away. But the explanations are so short and simple that perhaps some young women will be encouraged to learn more.

Who knew there are fourteen different types of tag? Not me, until I read The Daring Book for Girls. And if I ever forget where I put my periodic table, I can remember there is one stuck in the middle of this book.

Although I have boys, I have a feeling I’ll be bringing out this book repeatedly to teach them a thing or two! And I’ll definitely read it to remind myself of things I thought I had forgotten.

Visit the Official Daring Book for Girls Website

For the girls and boys on your holiday list: