The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer…

A minor work by a pretty major author. I was hoping for more from this--something to give to about-to-be-adolescent boys other than Then Again, Maybe I Won't. Instead, the aspects of puberty that this book focuses on are entirely pimples and poor coordination, with some glossed-over "I think about girls" sentences here and there.

Note to authors: read Judy Blume. Understand how helpful she is for girls, in her frank handling of periods, physical development, and even masturbation, without sounding like a textbook. Now write something equivalent for boys. Please. ( )

Duane Homer Leech--DooDoo to his friends and the kids at school--is alarmed by what puberty is doing to his body and mind and keeps a brief journal comparing his development to the baby bird newly hatched outside his bedroom window. Funny, honest book. ( )

This book offers a humorous look into a young boy's life and the trials of having to experience puberty.

Katy Arnson, Fall 2010

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

As a Gary Paulsen fan, I'm always on the lookout for his latest. When I found this slim volume, I at first thought I'd share it with the sixth or seventh grade teachers in my building. But then I read it, and I'll be honest, when I find one this good, I don't share. I'm really glad I kept it to myself because my 8th-grade students loved it.

Duane Homer Leech is twelve and suffers from the onset of puberty. Here are a few tidbits to tempt you ... Duane uses the word ELBOW to distract himself when he begins visualizing women's body parts in everything he comes in contact with. The code word ELBOW is used throughout the book to avoid actually mentioning anything unacceptable. The kids thought this was great! They also could relate to the fact that Duane could never predict what his body would do next. His changing voice and the constant eruption of pimples are just a few of the images that other teens and pre-teens can relate to.

Duane compares what he is going through to a bird family that has built a nest outside his window. He notes daily changes in the appearance and development of the new baby in the nest, complete with clever little sketches.

Once again, Gary Paulsen has a hit. If you are going through the teen years now or remember anything about those days of the past, find a copy of THE AMAZING LIFE OF BIRDS. It's a real hoot! ( )

What's happening to

my body? asks preteen boy.

Pretty good ending.