Valorie Schaefer

This is a difficult subject to find books on that don’t have more information than you might want.

So far I don’t like that this is including many examples of insults tweens might use. Such as “tin grin” and “pizza face”. Who even is saying this?

On page 51 a girl says her friends think she is ugly and fat.

Why introduce this kind of thinking?

I think this format is good as a checklist.

It looks unthreatening which could be a comfort to girls crossing over to puberty.

The section show more on diet reflects the mindset of when it was written. Definitely pre-read this. As some advice is good(almonds) some is..less so(soy).

You need to use discernment with this book. I would not just hand it over-tempting as it may be.

So why do I have this?

It is not anti-family. There are no examples of the current cultural difficulties.

No one book will be perfect because this is meant to be an aid- not to take the place of the parent. It’s not bad as a guide/checklist. show less

A really good book for young girls about to hit puberty. Surprisingly comprehensive, and extremely body-positive.

There is one odd passage (pg 79-Body Talk) where is says, "you need to screw up your courage" when I think it means to say "you need to scrounge up your courage."

The section about period products doesn't include menstrual cups, but considering this book was originally published in 1998 and probably hasn't been revised, it's not a huge loss.

The only disappointment, which would show more certainly warrant a revision, is that there are no sections addressing gender identity or sexual orientation. Again, originally published in 1998 and doesn't look like it's been revised, but this is a HUGE topic. And for a kid going through all sorts of hormonal changes, possibly realizing they may not feel like they're not in the "right" body, or not attracted to the "right" person - this book could be an amazing resource for them if revised to address gender identity and sexual orientation.

Overall, I certainly recommend this title with the caveat that buyers correct the spelling error on pg 79, and that there be discussions with the receiving young'in about the latest menstrual products, as well as how their gender identity and sexual orientation might shift during puberty. show less

I purchased this for my niece, and read it through to see what content would be covered. It does very well at the level appropriate for younger girls, and has lots of colorful, engaging pictures in the style that kids are already familiar with from graphic novels and comic books. They enjoyed it.
One thing that is a little odd in the otherwise excellent coverage is the page on shaving. The downward stroke they describe is erroneous for sensitive skin and is prone to causing cuts, ingrown show more hairs, and subsequent infections. The correct way is to shave in short strokes in the direction of hair growth and rinse often. Other than that odd page, everything else seems great, and in line with modern sensibilities. show less

Gentle, straightforward, informative, and positive, with sections including:
Body Basics
Heads Up
Reach (including a handy section on how to determine your bra size)
Belly Zone
Big Changes
On the Go
The Girl Inside
An essential guide that girls can use on their own or with an adult.