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carlyleecrib's review
3.0
Magic School Bus series writer Joanna Cole wrote this in 1988 and then a new edition was published in 2009 with new material. It is dated now, but at the time was a progressive sex education effort, and frankly it is still better than the majority of the sex ed out there today.
Don't have much that would add to the criticism of this book-- so many interesting reviews already. Other reviews mention my main criticisms (sex organs vs. secondary sex characteristics, heteronormativity, dated terms for LGBTQ folks, etc etc etc.....)
Don't have much that would add to the criticism of this book-- so many interesting reviews already. Other reviews mention my main criticisms (sex organs vs. secondary sex characteristics, heteronormativity, dated terms for LGBTQ folks, etc etc etc.....)
booksandbaddecisions's review against another edition
3.0
This book is okay. It does certain things really well but it lacks in other areas.
One of it's strengths is that it cover a wide variety of topics which may concern children who are entering puberty (8-12). Subjects are discussed in a blatant yet age-appropriate manner. The chapters on sexual abuse and pleasure are particularly well done.
However I do have several issues with the book with regard to it's lack of diversity and inclusivity. As with many sexual education materials targeted towards children, the book is very binary (it is both hetero-normative and cis-normative). In particular I noticed that the book was not Ace inclusive. Gender diversity and diversity in sexual orientation seem thrown in as an after thought. Included in that section was a line about how Greek times were more accepting of homosexuals which is a wild oversimplification and not entirely historically accurate. I also didn't think it was great that the readers were encouraged to wait until their late teens to decide on their sexual orientation. While childhood and teen years may be a time for exploration for some, others feel very secure in their gender identity or sexual orientation from early on. I don't think these people should be invalidated. The illustrations were also not very diverse in terms of body type. I would have liked to see more disability representation in both the content of the book and illustrations.
I also found certain topics were over simplified which I assume was to make it more approachable to the target audience. However the choices for what was emphasized verses omitted I found strange. For example, in the chapter on birth control methods; while less commonly used forms of birth control were explained, other more popular methods were merely mentioned, others were omitted entirely. I would have liked for the section on STIs to be more flushed out. I found the descriptions to be fear-mongering in that it worst-case-scenario outcomes listed without mentioning that these are rare and only occur when the disease is left untreated. While not as problematic the section on biology was also oversimplified, in particular I would have liked to see the cervix mentioned.
There were some odd writing choices such as referring to breasts as "sex organs" as opposed to "secondary sex characteristics". Definitions of key terms that children may not be familiar with were also not always provided. It also struck me as odd that the author encouraged pregnant people to drink milk in particular.
I didn't appreciate the negative attitude towards abortion or unplanned pregnancy. Both were made out to be extremely negative and life-altering experiences. I understand the intention was to discourage young people from taking risks which may result in an unplanned pregnancy before they are ready. However, unplanned pregnancies are not always bad and in many cases can be a happy surprise. In addition, many people get abortions without any negative feelings or guilt. Abortions are a part of life and while they should be avoided, they do not necessarily have to be a traumatic. experience.
My final issue with the book was with the explanation of intercourse. Only heterosexual intercourse was explained and it was penis-focused. There was no mention of cliteral stimulation orgasms for people with vulvas, which I feel does them a disservice.
Overall despite my issues I think the book is fine, but certainly due for an update. It isn't exhaustive, nor does it claim to be. It should be used as a supplementary tool to open conversations.
One of it's strengths is that it cover a wide variety of topics which may concern children who are entering puberty (8-12). Subjects are discussed in a blatant yet age-appropriate manner. The chapters on sexual abuse and pleasure are particularly well done.
However I do have several issues with the book with regard to it's lack of diversity and inclusivity. As with many sexual education materials targeted towards children, the book is very binary (it is both hetero-normative and cis-normative). In particular I noticed that the book was not Ace inclusive. Gender diversity and diversity in sexual orientation seem thrown in as an after thought. Included in that section was a line about how Greek times were more accepting of homosexuals which is a wild oversimplification and not entirely historically accurate. I also didn't think it was great that the readers were encouraged to wait until their late teens to decide on their sexual orientation. While childhood and teen years may be a time for exploration for some, others feel very secure in their gender identity or sexual orientation from early on. I don't think these people should be invalidated. The illustrations were also not very diverse in terms of body type. I would have liked to see more disability representation in both the content of the book and illustrations.
I also found certain topics were over simplified which I assume was to make it more approachable to the target audience. However the choices for what was emphasized verses omitted I found strange. For example, in the chapter on birth control methods; while less commonly used forms of birth control were explained, other more popular methods were merely mentioned, others were omitted entirely. I would have liked for the section on STIs to be more flushed out. I found the descriptions to be fear-mongering in that it worst-case-scenario outcomes listed without mentioning that these are rare and only occur when the disease is left untreated. While not as problematic the section on biology was also oversimplified, in particular I would have liked to see the cervix mentioned.
There were some odd writing choices such as referring to breasts as "sex organs" as opposed to "secondary sex characteristics". Definitions of key terms that children may not be familiar with were also not always provided. It also struck me as odd that the author encouraged pregnant people to drink milk in particular.
I didn't appreciate the negative attitude towards abortion or unplanned pregnancy. Both were made out to be extremely negative and life-altering experiences. I understand the intention was to discourage young people from taking risks which may result in an unplanned pregnancy before they are ready. However, unplanned pregnancies are not always bad and in many cases can be a happy surprise. In addition, many people get abortions without any negative feelings or guilt. Abortions are a part of life and while they should be avoided, they do not necessarily have to be a traumatic. experience.
My final issue with the book was with the explanation of intercourse. Only heterosexual intercourse was explained and it was penis-focused. There was no mention of cliteral stimulation orgasms for people with vulvas, which I feel does them a disservice.
Overall despite my issues I think the book is fine, but certainly due for an update. It isn't exhaustive, nor does it claim to be. It should be used as a supplementary tool to open conversations.
jennifer72's review
2.0
I borrowed several books on this topic from the library to help me think about what info to share with my kids about puberty and sex. A lot of the info in this book is ok, but I found a book I liked much more than this one. This book is very simple, but it leaves out some important info and topics. Part of that is because it is out of date.
callyjean's review
4.0
This was the book my mom got to teach me about sex when I was eleven. Once a year or so I pull it out to roast it. This year, I decided to check who wrote it, expecting some elderly Christian lady. No, it was Joanna Cole.
The author of Magic School Bus taught me how to fuck and what a penis was. Anyway, this book gives you the dirty details and doesn't hate gay people. What more can you ask from one of these?
The author of Magic School Bus taught me how to fuck and what a penis was. Anyway, this book gives you the dirty details and doesn't hate gay people. What more can you ask from one of these?
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