My Body, My Self for Boys: A "What's Happening to My Body?" Quizbook and Journal, Second Edition [Paperback]

Lynda Madaras (Author), Area Madaras (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: My Body, My Self

In the million-copy "What's Happening to My Body?" series for preteens and teens (9-15-year-olds), in a fresh new edition (previously sold over 45,000) this fact-filled and fun journal/activity book, inspired by thousands of letters from boys all over the world, encourages boys to address their concerns head on. Packed with drawings, cartoons, games, checklists, quizzes, and innovative exercises, this helpful workbook, expanded to include more letters from teens and pre-teens, includes special sections on the body, body image, height, weight, growing size and shape, hair, voice changes, reproductive organs and sexuality, and helps dispel the many myths about puberty and the body that contribute to boys' curiosity and confusion.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The title of the first chapter of this workbook, printed in a wavy, spooky font, is "What's Happening to You?" Appropriate, when you think about the emotional and physical changes wrought in a boy's body as he enters puberty. Based on the bestselling classic by mother-daughter team Lynda Madaras and Area Madaras, What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys, this workbook by the same authors uses games, drawings, photographs, quizzes, personal stories, checklists, and other activities to help boys learn about the transformations that will take place in their bodies during puberty. Similar to the My Body, My Self for Girls workbook, but with a more masculine slant (and obviously, a lot of different information), this is an invaluable resource for boys with questions, curiosity, and a need for reassurance. Topics covered include skin and hair changes, body image, acne, reproductive organs, voice changes, masturbation, and more. Although What's Happening to My Body? explores these issues in greater detail, this workbook enables boys to delve into the nitty-gritty of puberty on a more personal level. One exercise, called "Racewriting," asks boys to write--whatever comes into their heads and as fast as they can--about their feelings about growing up. Then there's the "Test Your I.Q. with This P.Q." true-false puberty quiz. Tremendously useful side features list acne do's and don'ts, ways to cope with erections ("wear baggy pants and long shirts if they keep happening, just remember that it's probably more noticeable to you than to anyone else"), and dangerous side effects of steroids. Written in a lively, nonthreatening style, the authors have placed a strong emphasis on honest, straight talk about the concerns that boys are bound to have as they approach adulthood. (Ages 8 to 15) --Emilie Coulter

About the Author

Lynda Madaras is the author of eleven books on health, childcare, and parenting, including six from Newmarket Press. Lynda is recognized worldwide by librarians, educators, reviewers, parents, nurses, doctors--and the kids themselves--for her unique non-threatening style, excellent organization, and thorough coverage of the experience of adolescence. For more than twenty years a sex and health education teacher in Pasadena and Santa Monica, California, she has made numerous appearances on Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS, and is quoted often in newspapers and magazines. She lectures frequently to teachers, librarians, nurses, health professionals, and parents' groups. She lives in California. Area Madaras was just 11 when she assisted her mother with the first "What's Happening to My Body?" book, published in 1983. (In fact, Lynda began to write it with her daughter, when she realized that there was no book available to give to Area at that time of her life.) In the ensuing years, Area has collaborated and continues to consult with her mother on other books in the Series. She has an M.A. in Communications from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California, and has been working for six years in Internet site and content development. She lives in California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket Press (December 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557044406
• ISBN-13: 978-1557044402
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,019,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Maturing
  • #79 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Sexuality

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars My Body, My Self for Boys: A "What's Happening to My Body?", February 7, 2007

By 

D. Legendre (Winter Haven, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Body, My Self for Boys: A "What's Happening to My Body?" Quizbook and Journal, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book although informative read too much like a science book. I would recommend a smaller but just as informative book titled "What's going on Down there? Questions boys are afraid to ask". It was more conversational and answered the tough questions with entertaining cartoons and candor. I would recommend the parent read the book first, then have the child read it, and then they discuss it together.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for boys and to start important conversations, February 17, 2010

By 

LT - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Body, My Self for Boys: A "What's Happening to My Body?" Quizbook and Journal, Second Edition (Paperback)

I respectfully disagree with the other reviewer. Using (and I say "using" rather than reading because it IS a workbook and journal) this book with my son has proved to be invaluable! I'm a single mom with a son that I am raising without a father in the picture. What could have been a very uncomfortable or awkward situation/discussion has been made MUCH easier by the use of this book and its simple, no-nonsense language, pictures, and writing activities. While this wasn't my son's first book about sex (we read "Where Did I Come From?" a couple of years ago), it was his first book about male adolescence. We have both learned things and he has become much more comfortable and accepting of the changes taking place with his body and emotions. This book has opened a channel of dialogue that I think is so important between adolescents and parents. I've recommended it to a couple of friends and they, too, have found it to be very beneficial. I think it's a great book and can really help your boy look at the changes of adolescence as a positive transition rather than a difficult period of time that must be tolerated.