I guess those are good years for being a girl too.

Um. Nope. Difficult as the 13-18 years.

JZ is me, but 9-12 was better than 12-17 because I didn't mind being alone as much. (17 marked the point where life started to improve for me, because it hit me that I didn't have to be part of the same group in the same town for the rest of my life, and getting out was as simple as applying to an out-of-state college.)

One thing I've found fascinating is that the further I get from adolescence, the more I've started picking up my childhood interests. IOW, the things that fascinated me when I was 10, that I wouldn't have been caught dead doing/reading about at 14, are all back on my personal must list--everything from paleoanthropology to old-fashioned weapons.

Are there any absolute good or bad ages to be?

One day less than dead, I would imagine.

Depends on what you have planned for the day.

I'm going shopping!

I hated junior high school (roughly 13-16), and most people I've met agree.

Are there any absolute good or bad ages to be?

I would say no. I was still a very much a kid in the 9-12 range and had a best friend I adored. I was geeky and scrawny and a total tomboy, and I had a great time. By the time I hit 12, though...eesh. I found that 12-15 were the hardest years, but the drama club saved me from a high school.

Just look at how many people describe high school or college as "the best years of their lives". The idea that those were my best years gives me chills.

The worst years of my life were 29-33, and that was all my fault. I was a happy kid, loved high school, etc, etc. I don't know how my classmates would rank HS against the rest of their lives, but most of them sure looked like they were enjoying themselves.

12-17 sucked, no doubt. But looking at all the responsibilities I have now (except Em) vs then? I think I'd take the shit in exchange for not having to worry about car payments and credit cards.