The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality [Paperback]

Michael J. Basso (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2003

The classic guide to teen sexuality updated and expanded with information on sexually-transmitted diseases; contraception; sexual abuse; healthy relationships; hotlines and resources; and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up. Addressing young men and women and their parents, this guide is comprehensive and treats readers with honesty and respect. Its only "underground" element is in the smudgy chapter headings that look like they came off an old dirty typewriter. The book is minimally illustrated with black-and-white line drawings that are often cartoonlike and too small to be seen clearly when they deal with technical information. The author is a sexuality educator who knows his stuff and communicates mainly in a question-and-answer format. In an objective manner, Basso covers all the basics (physical, emotional, and social) as well as facts about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and homosexuality. He also makes a strong case for abstinence without appearing to be pushing that agenda. The approach is especially reasonable in including help on how to say no and deal with peer pressure to have sex, drink, or do drugs. The tone of the book is very much that of a classroom teacher, which lends it an air of authority but works against the "underground" theme. A good choice for young adult collections looking for something new in this subject area.?Melissa Gross, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Teenagers need current, accurate, objective information about sexuality so that they can understand the changes occurring in their bodies and make informed decisions about sexual activity. Basso, an experienced sex educator, discusses anatomy and physiology, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, birth control, abortion, and sexuality in terms that teenagers comprehend. He is nonjudgmental, encouraging readers to think about all aspects of the issues and make decisions that are comfortable for them. He tells teenagers that they must be prepared to protect themselves and accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions. A book that empowers teens by giving them the information that they need; highly recommended for young adult and consumer health collections.?Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Fairview Press; 2nd Edition edition (June 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577491319
• ISBN-13: 978-1577491316
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Teen Health > Sexuality

More About the Author

Michael J. Basso has over 25 years of public health achievements both in chronic and infectious diseases, but is a renown expert in the field of behavioral psychology and sexuality. He spent 8-years working in an inner-city high school researching the needs of young people, and how best to listen and communicate in ways that young people would learn, take responsibility, and develop lifelong health habits. During his tenure, he received the, 'Teacher of the Year," and the "Most Significant Teacher" awards, and gained acclaim for his work with adolescents throughout the socio-economic spectrum. During this time, Mr. Basso served as an editorial board member of the Journal of Health Education, and sexual health editor for Men's Health - MH-18 magazine. In his final year of teaching, Mr. Basso created the first interactive sexual health website called, www.YouthEmbassy.com, which has responded to questions from teens and parents from every continent around the globe.

Since his early years of research and teaching, Mr. Basso has traveled to nearly every state in the U.S., and 30 countries providing consultation to health and education organizations at the district, state, federal and university level. He has spent the last decade serving as a health scientist and public health advisor at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, where he has received more than a dozen awards for his work.

Mr. Basso's book, "The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality / La guia esencial sobre sexualidad adolescente," is considered a U.S. milestone resource that shifted the decades old, 'birds & bees,' approach to sexuality education, to a human development, science and reality-based methodology. "The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality," has been replicated by numerous authors and universities and remains a best-selling resource for teens and parents.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book for teens I've ever read!, January 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality (Paperback)

Working as a health and sexuality educator in Miami, as well as being a mother of three, this book delivers the information teens really want to know in a way that is understandable and interesting to them. Another big plus is that this book has the most illustrations of any other book on the subject, which holds my students and teens attention as well. I always recommend this book to the staff personnel, teachers, parents and students I meet at the health facilities and schools I visit. This truly is an invaluable handbook!

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Recommend This Book to My Clients, January 14, 2001

By 

Reginald Lewis, Ph.D. (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality (Paperback)

Working in an facility that serves youth between the ages of 11 - 19, one of their greatest needs is for information about their bodies, sexuality and how to protect themselves in many different types of situations. Having looked at and read most, if not all of what is out there, this book is perfect for young people and their parents.

We have been very successful in providing this book to young people of diverse populations and backgrounds - it seems to be making a difference - and the teens love it. I recommend this book highly for young people, parents and teachers - so much so, I took the time to write this recommendation.

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate, Honest and Made For Real Human Beings, January 17, 2001

By 

Arthur Morriston, MD (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality (Paperback)

Working within a private practice, I constantly find young people and parents who are looking for understandable answers to their questions about sex, responsibility and growing up in a healthy way. I have personally read over a dozen books on this topic, but this is the one we have in our waiting room and that we recommend to our youth and parents.

This book provides accurate, honest, understandable and realistic information to those who need it most. Our teens love it, and parents find it to be a Godsend. If there is one book each family should have it's this one.