The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: A Growing Up Guide for Parents and Sons (Paperback)

~ (Author), Dane Saavedra (Author), Jackie Aher (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Hanging Low, Keeping Cool," "A Hairy Question," "Feeling Private/Feeling Guilty," "You Don't See Any Blind, Crazy Morons Around Here, Do Ya?"

Can you guess what all these chapter titles are about? Give you a hint: everything you ever wanted to know about (but were afraid to ask)... You got it, boys and puberty! Author Lynda Madaras and her daughter Area Madaras have expanded and updated their sensitive, detailed, often witty guide for boys on the cusp of adolescence. To help boys realize they are not alone in their concerns about masturbation, body hair, growth spurts (or lack thereof), female puberty, voice changes, perspiration, shaving, and sexuality, this classic guide is written in a down-to-earth, nonjudgmental style and filled with answers to the many questions boys have as their bodies begin the transformation into adulthood. As a result of thousands of reader letters over the years, as well as the ever growing body of information about puberty in boys, the third edition has been revised to include more detailed discussion of penis size (the authors get more questions about penis size than all other topics combined), updated information on acne treatment, expanded sections on eating right, exercise, steroid abuse, and weight training, and important facts about STDs, AIDS, and birth control. Filled with anecdotes, illustrations, and diagrams, the guide is designed with the understanding that some boys and parents will want to read it together, while others will want to pore over it on their own. Either way, this resource will prove to be incredibly useful for boys and their parents over these strange, exciting years. The companion volume for girls, What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls is a must-read as well. (Ages 8 to 15) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From The Washington Post

With this book in hand, parents should be able to reassure their sons about the changes they are experiencing... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket Pr (December 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0937858994
• ISBN-13: 978-0937858998
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #478,989 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experience., December 25, 1999

By A Customer

My parents bought this book for me when I was becoming a teenager, and it helped a lot. Reading the book was a lot more comfortable than talking with my parents would have been. The personal ancedotes scattered throughout help to make the reader feel "normal". I'd recommend this to any parent, or just a kid who's curious.

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Moms should read this book!, June 7, 1999

By A Customer

I had no problem teaching my girls about the birds and the bees. But when it came time to talk to my son about erections, wet-dreams, etc. I was lost. I read this book first to learn all the stuff I didn't know about boys development and then shared it with my son when he was ready. Gives you a good basis for conversation. Another book I recently read that you'll find really helpful: Perfect Parenting (Dictionary of 1000 Parenting Tips) by Elizabeth Pantley

166 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for preteens, December 22, 2001

By	Stephen L. Sacco (Wakefield, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys : A Growing Up Guide for Parents and Sons (Paperback)

I bought the third edition of this book hoping it would be something my ten year old son could refer to if he has questions he is embarassed to talk about. The book is very factual without being overly clinical, but some of the topics discussed at lenght are more suited for older teens. The exhaustive list of slang names for male and female body parts really isn't necessary -- adolescent boys seem to do well in that department all by themselves! I also feel that the chapter "Girls and Puberty" has far more detail than a pre-teen boy needs or can handle. The book would be much better if it were presented in a loose-leaf format so I could give my son the sections he is able to handle at his age. I also wonder why the author has removed chapters on the important topics of birth control and STD's, which she says were in her previous edition. The book will certainly help me in my talks with my son, but I'm still looking for the right book for him to read on his own.