The Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know) [Paperback]

Karen Gravelle (Author), Jennifer Gravelle (Author), Debbie Palen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: But Need to Know

What is my period exactly? Do I need to see a doctor? What does it feel like to wear a pad? What if I get my period at school?

Karen Gravelle and her fifteen-year-old niece, Jennifer Gravelle, have written a down-to-earth and practical book that answers any questions you might have about your period, from what it is and what it feels like, to how to choose pads and tampons, to how to talk to your parents about it. The Period Book will help guide you through all the physical, emotional, and social changes that come with your period, as well as related issues like dealing with pimples, mood swings, and new expectations from friends and family. Debbie Palen's funny and sympathetic cartoons ease the confusion and exasperation you might feel, and celebrate the new sense of power and maturity that your period can bring. Perfect for sharing, The Period Book is a trusty friend that can help you feel happy and confident about this new phase of your life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Called "warm and positive" by Booklist, this user-friendly book about menstruation and puberty doesn't just give the facts, ma'am: it addresses many private worries that girls may have a hard time talking about and offers truly practical tips that most girls have had to figure out for themselves -- the hard way. Light-hearted cartoon illustrations help keep the tone sympathetic and upbeat. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

With the help of her 15-year-old niece, Karen Gravelle hits her mark with this accessible guide for adolescent girls. Frank and at times funny, the book focuses on changes that occur during puberty, specifically those accompanying menstruation. Though the scope is, intentionally, not as comprehensive as many handbooks on adolescence, the authors address nitty-gritty, practical details not usually included in such tomes (e.g., tips on improvising a sanitary pad). In addition to answering a range of "What if?" questions that would be embarrassing for many girls to ask, the authors also cover such subjects as what to expect from a visit to a gynecologist; living with pimples, cramps and "weird emotions"; and how to communicate better with parents. A comforting chapter about physical development draws an important distinction between being "normal" and being "like everyone else." Though sometimes silly or clicheed, Palen's cartoon illustrations echo the candor of the text and reinforce its kid-friendly approach. Ages 8-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802774784
• ISBN-13: 978-0802774781
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Maturing

More About the Author

Karen Gravelle is the author of Walker and Company's The Period Book and is the author of several other books about difficult issues facing today's adolescents. She lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

170 of 176 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy way for girls to find out what they want to know..., February 12, 2001

By 

Laura Haggarty (Northern KY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know) (Paperback)

I bought this book for my daughter after she and I had our first "talk" about periods and sex. It's a light-hearted book, written by a woman and her teenaged neice, and it is fairly specific in that it pretty much only addresses issues about getting one's period (not boys, nor sex, much).

The book outlines the changes which young girls go through as they mature, and discusses the various things which happen, both mentally and physically, as they approach their first period. It covers the options young women have to deal with their period, what to do if there are problems, how to talk to your parents about it (and listen to them try to talk to you!), and has a list of "What If..." questions which covers most issues.

The book is illustrated with line drawings (almost cartoons) which deal with issues in a sensitive but easy manner. There's even a spot in the back for notes or letters to one's parents. I'd rate the age range for this book from about 10 and up. All in all it's a good value for its price, and answers many of the questions a young girl has about this touchy subject.

105 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As a mom of 5 daughters..., February 20, 2003

By 

W. Robertson "wendyrful doula" (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know) (Paperback)

I wanted something that would help me to explain the real situaion without going into sexuality. (I beleive there is one mention of why we have a period is that if you haven't had intercourse and gotten pregnat then the lining of the uterus will shed). At first I was a little put off by the drawing (cartoony) about tampon use... but then realized, you know, that is what they really are thinking and feeling and wondering about. I know I was way back when. I read the whole thing first then gave it to my oldest daughter at about 10/11 yrs old. She read it and we had some very open communication about things. It was a great way to open the door for conversation. I have loaned it to several other friends with daughters approaching that age. It was very helpful with information about breastbuds, and how it's 'normal' to not develop at the exact same rate and size... (I wouldn't have thought about telling her that!), and gave good practicle information about what to do if you start in public and having nothing with you, or various other situaions. The author and her neice did an excellent job of giving good practical information that girls really do need to know, and are probably wondering about. Make sure your daughter is at the stage where she can handle the information... I am not sure when to give it to my next (less mature) almost 10 yr old daughter... one day she'll need and be ready for the same information. A very good book! We also bought 'Period. A girls guide' it was a little more basic, but also a good first book.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Wonderful However you want to put it., June 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know) (Paperback)

Every young girl who is worried or just curious about her period should have this book. It explains what happens to your body during puberty, the what ifs and freaquently asked questions from many girls.Parents- if you are looking for a book on this type of thing, this is the book you are looking for. "It's A Girl Thing" by Mavis Jukes is great, too.