It is hard to find good books about puberty for young people—especially if your personal beliefs go against the popular opinion that "if it feels good, do it." Here is a resource that is VERY thorough, but also encourages responsibility, and that it is okay to make decisions based on your personal morals.

Face it, puberty is a difficult time for everyone going through it (including the parents). This is a time of uncertainty for girls and probably more than one embarrassing moment for parents. As girls are faced with physical and emotional changes in their bodies, more than anything, they want assurance that they are normal. In a straightforward way, this book addresses each of these physical and emotional changes. The tone of this book is tender and to the point, as if it were a dear friend, who knows just what you are going through, and what you need to know. It repeatedly reassures the reader that they will get through these changes and be better for it.

In addition to the topics you would expect to be discussed in a book about puberty, there is also in depth information about hair removal, eating disorders, health tips, ways to combat poor self esteem, dealing with stress, how to deal with acne problems, resisting peer pressure, keeping safe, etc. As the subtitle says, this book is indeed, "a survival guide to growing up."

In the chapter, "What You Never Wanted Anyone to Know You Want to Know About Sex," the "how-to" is described in some detail. It goes on to discuss that sex is not a game and reasons why a girl may have sex before she is ready. I thought this was especially pertinent. It gives girls the opportunity to think through these issues, and possibly see themselves before they do something they may regret, but it also tells them that just because they may have already said, "yes," that they are not obligated to continue—they can still make the decision to abstain. The book discusses the physical and emotional affects sex can have on their health, and ways to deal with unwanted pressure to have sex.

There is in depth information of such topics as masturbation, oral and anal sex, STD’s, sexual identity, and birth control. I especially appreciated that the authors presented both sides of self-stimulation-- while they said that it was a normal thing to do, they also said that it is normal to make the choice NOT to do it. By adding this sentence, many parents who believe this is wrong for religious reasons can feel more comfortable sharing this book with their daughters.

At the end of the book are various resources and reading lists for both teens and parents. There is also an index. I can’t imagine a better resource for a daughter entering puberty. Having easy access to this information may make her steps down this path a little more confident and less confusing. You might learn something, too.




Recommended: Yes