New Moon's 13th Birthday Party!

"I LOVE your magazine because it has answers to the questions that nobody else knows the answers to!" --Katie from Garwood, NJ

Sometimes, girls are too embarrased to ask questions about their bodies. That's one reason why New Moon has a department in the magazine called "Body Language." The Body Language articles cover everything from what to expect during puberty to what to do when you've got the blues.

On November 3, 2005, New Moon's Body Language department received a Gold Award for "Best Regular Column" from the Minnesota Magazine and Publications Association! Two Girls Editorial Board members accepted the award for New Moon at the MMPA's Annual Excellence Awards in Minneapolis, MN.

Has reading a Body Language article in New Moon ever helped you? Tell us about it!

Way back in the January/February 1994 issue, New Moon published an "Ask a Girl" letter from 13-year-old Mary of Illinois, who was having a hard time.

"Growing up is hard to do. They say that the two worst times in a woman's life are when she is thirteen and when her daughter is thirteen. I thought turning thirteen was just one step in growing up, but so far it's a lot of little steps, tripping me with challenges all the time.

"What is it about this dumb age that makes me cry all the time? I cry about friends I don't have, friends I do have, the way I dress, the way I think I look, the way I feel when somebody makes fun of me. The things that bother me the most are my height and my shape. I'm 5'8" and under 120 pounds. Many people may look at this as an advantage; I look at it as a tragedy. I'm constantly feeling like I stand out a lot. My arms seem too long, and my feet feel too big, and I just can't figure out how to use them properly....

"Another part about being thirteen is supposed to be growing. People talk about growing like it's a good thing. They even go as far as to call it blossoming. I don't call it blossoming; I call it shrinking. Shrinking into somebody who wishes she could go someplace and hide until she's the perfect shape and size."

Have you ever felt this way? What helped you to feel better about yourself? Several girls had good advice for Mary, including 11-year-old Gretchen from Iowa. Her response was published in the March/April 1994 issue.

"Do not be ashamed of your figure. ...Stand up and be proud! I would do anything to be 5'8" and weigh 120 pounds. You're practically modeling material! The people who make fun of you are probably jealous of you! I'm sort of fast in the 'blossoming' stage. Last year, most of the boys made fun of me and said I was fat. I took this seriously and went on a water and salad diet for about 2 weeks. I felt terrible for those weeks--and I didn't even lose any weight. Something that will help you is to try to find a friend who you can really trust. Someone who will tell nobody what you're telling her/him. I tried this and it really helps!"

This New Moon Collector's Box is the first of 13 prizes you'll be eligible to win when you take our survey! The box is signed by New Moon Magazine's Girls Editorial Board and the New Moon Store's Girls Advisory Board. It holds and protects up to 12 copies of New Moon--display them proudly and enjoy them forever!

Keep checking this page for announcements about more great prizes. We'll announce the winners of the drawing during New Moon's 13th Birthday Party on March 31, 2006. Tell your friends!

Girls, did you know that an article about Anne Frank appeared in the very first issue of New Moon? On her 13th birthday in June of 1942, Anne received her first diary as a gift. Her diary became one of the most important books written during World War II. But Anne didn't even think she had anything interesting to say!

"It's an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary, not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I--nor anyone else--will be interested in the unbosomings of a 13-year-old schoolgirl," Anne wrote.

Through her writing, Anne touched millions of people's lives, so it made sense to honor her in the first issue of New Moon. All of the opinions, stories and ideas girls have shared in New Moon during the last 13 years are important!

Why do you think it's important for girls to have a magazine like New Moon? Share your opinion here!

Angie from New Mexico shared her 13th birthday story with us:

"On August 26, it was my 13th birthday. When I got home, I found the Tales and Tails issue waiting for me, and I thought, 'Fantastic! An issue about animals and writing, my two favorite things!' When I reached the back, I found the part in 'Inside the Moon' that said, 'This issue marks the beginning of New Moon's 13th year of publication.' Funny how these things work out, isn't it?"

If you have a story about New Moon or about being 13, send me (Catherine) an email! Or, write to Luna. We'd love to hear from you!

Are you looking forward to your 13th birthday, or have you already turned 13? We want to know how girls (of all ages) feel about being 13. To tell us what YOU think, click here to take our online survey.

When you finish taking the survey, we'll send you to our online 13th Birthday Party Kit! The kit has everything you need to throw your own birthday party for New Moon. We'll be posting even more party ideas on this blog, so come back soon to check it out!

Everyone who takes the survey will have a chance to win cool stuff from the New Moon Store, too. So, what are you waiting for?! Take the survey today!