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

Lynda Madaras (Author), Dane Saavedra (Author), Jackie Aher (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1987

In this bestselling classic (over 400,000 copies sold), "Madaras demonstrates great sensitivity to the turbulent feelings and embarrassments inherent in the subject [of puberty]...Her facility for presenting information in a non-patronizing, well-organized manner is evident."--Booklist. The book includes a foreword for adults and chapters on changing size and shape, hair, voice changes, perspiration, pimples, reproductive organs, sexuality, puberty in girls, AIDS, STDs, and birth-control information appropriate for 9- to 15-year-olds.

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 out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Reviewed with Lynda Madaras' The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls.

Gr. 4-8. In these new editions of her classic guides, Madaras has made significant changes to reflect the younger age at which children are now reaching puberty. She has cut out the chapters about sex, birth control, pregnancy, and STDs, although she includes a rich appendix of resources on these topics. Mostly, the books concentrate on the physical changes that occur during puberty, with new chapters designed to serve as "owners manuals": in Boys, there's new information about shaving and answers to questions about penis size; in Girls, there's an expanded "all about having periods" section. As in the previous editions, the tone is matter-of-fact and comforting, and Madaras has further simplified the sentence structure and word choices, in some cases perhaps too much; the section on sexual harassment, for example, is somewhat vague and slightly unfocused. Overall, however, these are excellent new editions that make fine resources even more accessible to a young audience. Sure to encourage dialogue between kids and parents. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• 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: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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

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.

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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

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

181 of 193 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Steve (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.