Puberty Boy [Paperback]

Geoff Price (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

An invaluable source of information for growing boys, parents, and caregivers, this beautifully packaged guide offers pre-teen boys an appealing and fresh take on entering adolescence. Straightforward, conversational advice presents young boys with answers to the questions they may be too embarrassed to ask. This celebration of maturing bodies and spirits is invariably positive and provid factual information on acne, sexual development, body odor, and other physical changes. Also honestly detailed are the emotional changes that young boys encounter, as well as advice on interacting with girls. Complete with real-life stories from other boys and grown men, this book includes colorful photographs of real boys that create a sense of shared community, while instructional illustrations teach young boys about their changing bodies.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9–This book has its heart in the right place, but it misses the mark, beginning with the condescending note of its very title. Price seeks to arm boys approaching and experiencing puberty with information that will calm fears and answer questions. He includes detailed drawings and diagrams of male and female anatomy and addresses every topic from sweat to semen, body odor to body image, masturbation to man-boobs. The text is augmented with boys and mens real stories about puberty. However, Price writes–on and on and on–in a chummy tone that intends to invite and befriend, but actually treats readers childishly (Sperm–those tadpole thingies!). The book is full of Aussie-isms (STDs become STIs, and just what is bum fluff?), and the referenced Web sites are mainly Australian. Bright photographs are splashed everywhere; when white type is printed on busy backgrounds, it is difficult to read. Stick with Lynda Madarass tried-and-true The Whats Happening to My Body? Book for Boys (Newmarket, 1991).–Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Like its companion title, Puberty Girl (2005), by Shushann Movsessian, this Australian import is a frank, reassuring discussion of male adolescence. Chapters on physiology present information clearly, in a colloquial voice that is never stuffy or condescending, and the questions that are asked and answered seem straight from kids: "Why is semen such a blob?" for example. The mechanics of sex aren't addressed, but there is some discussion of STDs and the emotional maturity intimacy requires. The book's unusual holistic approach includes coverage of the emotional changes, independence, and responsibility that come with puberty. There are also excellent suggestions to help boys connect respectfully with girls, find a mentor, develop emotional intelligence, and distinguish between "boy thinking" and "young man thinking." Although the Australian slang may both confuse and amuse readers ("bum fuzz," for example, indicates the soft hair on pubescent boys' faces), the candid quotes from boys and men, and many color photos and diagrams, greatly enhance this welcome title. Too bad the resource list wasn't updated for a U.S. audience. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1741145635
• ISBN-13: 978-1741145632
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son loved this book, December 19, 2006

By 

Elza (Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puberty Boy (Paperback)

This book, written by Geoff Price, an Australian author, offers a realistic and detailed description of what happens-both physically and emotionally-to boys at puberty. My 9 1/2 year old son was thrilled to read it and found it was everything but tacky and most helpful. The illustrations are not comically unrealistic: they are subtle and to the point, without being overwhelming. This book is very informational and offers lots of tips. The layout is very modern and pleasing to the eye.

I would describe this as a great book to initiate your child to puberty and the questions that go with it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro into puberty for tweens, July 18, 2010

By 

Julie Zela - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Puberty Boy (Paperback)

Though our son is 14, developmentally he is about 8 or 9 (those immature boys!), so when puberty started in this book was a lifesaver! It introduced him to puberty in a cool way and helped initiate discussion with mom and dad. Very grateful it was out there. He still reviews it quite a bit as new things crop up.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Puberty Boy book a great aid to help our son., March 15, 2007

By 

C. Jones (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Puberty Boy (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a recommendation from a friend. My sixth grade son will watch a movie, regarding puberty changes, at school this year. He only asks the minimum number of questions and often gets embarassed when I, his mother, explain things. This provides a resource if he is not comfortable with asking all the questions that are embarassing for him.