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jess_mango's review against another edition
5.0
Ah puberty. Such an exciting time in our lives. Am I right?
I have an 11 year old son so we are just about RIGHT THERE, RIGHT NOW. So, when given the opportunity to get a review copy of this new book targeted at kids on the cusp of puberty, I was like "Yes please, I will take all the help that I can get!".
I was VERY impressed with this book. It is very well done and talks at the kids' level but in a very engaging, interesting and informative way. The book is even inclusive of gender fluid and transgender kiddos. There are subjects ranging from boobs, hair growth, the changes in genitals, menstruation, and more. All those things that can be icky and uncomfortable to talk about for some kids and parents. It is important for kids to know the facts about their own bodies and the bodies of those of the opposite sex. Having a sound scientific eduction on these matters is important for both their own understanding of themselves and their health but to help them be a better, nicer citizen to others.
I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
I have an 11 year old son so we are just about RIGHT THERE, RIGHT NOW. So, when given the opportunity to get a review copy of this new book targeted at kids on the cusp of puberty, I was like "Yes please, I will take all the help that I can get!".
I was VERY impressed with this book. It is very well done and talks at the kids' level but in a very engaging, interesting and informative way. The book is even inclusive of gender fluid and transgender kiddos. There are subjects ranging from boobs, hair growth, the changes in genitals, menstruation, and more. All those things that can be icky and uncomfortable to talk about for some kids and parents. It is important for kids to know the facts about their own bodies and the bodies of those of the opposite sex. Having a sound scientific eduction on these matters is important for both their own understanding of themselves and their health but to help them be a better, nicer citizen to others.
I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
kaygee28's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
90sinmyheart's review against another edition
2.0
I did not care for this. Inclusive but not very body positive (which I should have guessed from the title). Bodies aren't gross or awesome they just... are. I liked the typography, though!
maryehavens's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up from the library because it's right in line with my kids' ages and it was on display.
I prefer the other puberty book that we read over this one because it was more comprehensive. However, this book made such a huge effort to be inclusive when it described family situations, gender, and the myriad of feelings of children during this time. I really appreciate Loveless's efforts to be so inclusive.
Both of my children saw me reading this and want to read it so I think that's a win. I wonder how they will react to "male/female assigned at birth" as a concept throughout the book. We have talked about transgendered people and my daughter has read every LumberJane at the library which includes just about every spectrum of the LGBTQIA rainbow. They may be aware of these concepts but I'm not sure how much interaction they have had with them.
Other highlights of the book: showcasing puberty in different cultures around the world, the repetition that hormones have so much to do with what's going on, the tech chapter, really the whole book was easy to read and engaging. Worth a look!
I prefer the other puberty book that we read over this one because it was more comprehensive. However, this book made such a huge effort to be inclusive when it described family situations, gender, and the myriad of feelings of children during this time. I really appreciate Loveless's efforts to be so inclusive.
Both of my children saw me reading this and want to read it so I think that's a win. I wonder how they will react to "male/female assigned at birth" as a concept throughout the book. We have talked about transgendered people and my daughter has read every LumberJane at the library which includes just about every spectrum of the LGBTQIA rainbow. They may be aware of these concepts but I'm not sure how much interaction they have had with them.
Other highlights of the book: showcasing puberty in different cultures around the world, the repetition that hormones have so much to do with what's going on, the tech chapter, really the whole book was easy to read and engaging. Worth a look!
zellainy's review against another edition
5.0
This is such an awesome, inclusive book about puberty. It's sparked some great conversations with my 9YO. The graphics are fun, and everything is broken down into easily digestible chunks, so kids can learn what they need to when they need to. Highly recommend.
beklovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
2.5
The information was presented in a bold, funny, colorful way that would appeal to tweens. It was thorough covering many topics and adding lots of fun details. It seemed very sensitive to those in non-traditional families frequently substituting “step-mom”, uncle, or foster mom for parents in examples. It also strongly emphasized LGBTQ, first in a detailed chapter about what all was POSSIBLE in gender identity, sexuality, and everything related, then again in countless background references to two moms, cross-dressing etc. And there was a lot of information about how to better live out your non-conforming gender without or before surgery. If there are two extremes of how to handle this topic, this book was close to the liberal extreme.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
I'm far too old to be the intended audience. I read this book because it is one of several that a group is attempting to ban from our public library.
This is by far the most inclusive of the books that the group is attempting to ban. The author warns you up front and certainly tells the readers that questioning their birth-assigned gender is ok. The graphics are teen friendly (or what an adult thinks is teen friendly). The book cover, however, does not invite teens to pick it up. (Actually, I think most of these books this group is trying to ban have covers that would cause teens to die of embarrassment.)
I do not think this book is for preteens or to replace "the talk." It seems geared for teens already in the throes of puberty who have questions about whether their experience is "normal." To that end, Loveless does an excellent job of providing guidance as to when to see a doctor. She also provides resources and plenty of sources (with citations).
Loveless addresses the physical issues of puberty but also goes on to address bullying, self-confidence, mental health, technology & screen time. All of these are worthy topics; unfortunately, most of those chapters are what all adults say all of the time. Loveless does strive for a chattier, more inviting tone, and sometimes she hits it.
Overall, this is a handy resource.
As for banning it, nah. Like always, parents have the right to decide what their children see and hear. They don't have the right to police what others' children see and hear. If you don't think your kids should read this, don't let them.
This is by far the most inclusive of the books that the group is attempting to ban. The author warns you up front and certainly tells the readers that questioning their birth-assigned gender is ok. The graphics are teen friendly (or what an adult thinks is teen friendly). The book cover, however, does not invite teens to pick it up. (Actually, I think most of these books this group is trying to ban have covers that would cause teens to die of embarrassment.)
I do not think this book is for preteens or to replace "the talk." It seems geared for teens already in the throes of puberty who have questions about whether their experience is "normal." To that end, Loveless does an excellent job of providing guidance as to when to see a doctor. She also provides resources and plenty of sources (with citations).
Loveless addresses the physical issues of puberty but also goes on to address bullying, self-confidence, mental health, technology & screen time. All of these are worthy topics; unfortunately, most of those chapters are what all adults say all of the time. Loveless does strive for a chattier, more inviting tone, and sometimes she hits it.
Overall, this is a handy resource.
As for banning it, nah. Like always, parents have the right to decide what their children see and hear. They don't have the right to police what others' children see and hear. If you don't think your kids should read this, don't let them.
paperfemme's review against another edition
We were excited about this book, but there are some consistently foul messages about bodies that made me stop reading it out loud to the kid. I donated this one because it does t belong in our house. For all the effort they made around gender inclusivity, they could have given similar care to body shame and weight.
It looked like such a great book.
It looked like such a great book.
i_will_papercut_a_bish's review against another edition
5.0
A factual, gender-savvy book that lays out body change info in a matter-of-fact way that's the opposite of intimidating or agenda-laden. I appreciated that it addressed a whole array of growing-up issues--such as body image issues, body care, and mental health--in a way that includes all genders and orientations. This book sticks to the changing body basics without delving heavily into the practicalities of sex, making it perfect for the 8-12 crowd. Nicely done!