All the Way: Sex for the First Time (Paperback)

by Kim Martyn (Author), Gelico (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-"[Y]ou won't find me talking about abstinence. I don't even like the word," writes Martyn in her introduction to this sex manual for teens. Chapters cover sexual assault, STDs, and birth control, but the overarching theme is that teens are going to have sex, so here's how to do it and feel great about it. She gives some advice and encouragement to those who want to wait, but assumes that most teens will not do so. Those making that choice are characterized as "not ready" and less mature, rather than self-empowered and self-protecting. Martyn is a sexual health educator and co-owner of www.sexscape.org, the source of many of the questions and stories interlaced through the text. She writes in a breezy style tending toward flippant sarcasm. Sketches sporadically illustrate the book, adding slight diversion and no information. The section on sexual technique is explicit and detailed. The author also assumes a great degree of verbal communication going on between sexual partners, and also between teen and parent. For instance, she gives pointers on approaching a parent to ask permission for one's boyfriend/girlfriend to sleep over, sharing one's bed. A more balanced choice is still that staple of teen sexuality books, Ruth Bell's Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: A Book for Teens on Sex and Relationships (Times, 1998). Bell's emphasis is on personal empowerment with information that is highly relevant; she draws from a much wider and deeper pool of educators, contributors, and teens; and addresses her audience with greater respect.-Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
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Review
"Parents can give this book to teens without worrying that it will give them the messagethat they should have sex. They will know their has gotten sound information that will help them make positive sexual choices."

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Sumach Press (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894549260
• ISBN-13: 978-1894549264
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,143,498 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Great Book, March 3, 2004

By	"everymahn" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Adding to her reputation as an objective, compassionate sexual health educator, Kim's new book provides parents and teens with a very comprehensive overview of the awakenings of sexual experience. She covers virtually every subject imaginable with humor and frank explanations, using her trademark style of communication that is free of judgement and moral inferences. The book is richly illustrated, and also includes hilarious cartoons. I would highly recommended this book to teens, parents and educators.