How do French women maintain such clear complexions? What do you do if you're stuck at a party and you don't know anyone? And do perky, perfect cheerleaders really go on to have happier lives than the rest of us? (The answer will surprise you.)

Read on to unravel these and other mysteries of life (and to have a few laughs, too!). Hey Ladies! Tales and Tips for Curious Girls is former MTV star Kennedy's open letter to the teenagers of the world. Having been through any number of major adolescent catastrophes herself, she hopes to save the ladies some of the legwork by passing on the lessons she learned along the way. Using anecdotes from her own life, including the story of her momentous first kiss, she shares her hard-won wisdom on things like how to get along with your mom, feel good about your body, have a successful first date, and avoid embarrassment in the school locker room. As Kennedy says, "Sometimes it takes a manual from a former dork to make the load a little lighter and explain the mysterious worlds of boys, substance abuse, and parental communication."

Funny, insightful, and always genuine, Hey Ladies! is essential reading for anyone hoping to survive life as a teenage girl.