Review
(Starred review) Gr 4 Up-Inclusive, respectful, accurate, and informative--books about sexuality and puberty are held to the highest nonfiction standards. In addition to meeting those marks, this short graphic novel is also forthright and attractive. Expert sex educators Corinna (founder of scarleteen.com and author of S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know-Sexuality Guide To Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties) and Rotman (You're So Sexy When You Aren't Transmitting STIs) are funny but never flippant when answering typical tween questions. Unlike other titles, this text won't force readers to scour the index for information on masturbation or gender. However, the authors are never confrontational, making room for all points of view. In the chapter on sexual identity, one character says, "I'm so tired of feeling like I have to label myself!" while another avers, "I like having shorthand I can use to describe myself." The authors also stress the importance of respecting crushes or dating partners, a topic rarely if ever addressed in similar texts. The book closes with advice on finding trusted friends and adults in whom to confide. Cartoon-realistic characters representing a variety of orientations, genders, body types, and interests will validate readers. VERDICT Research shows that the earlier children learn about consent and body autonomy, the better. All libraries serving middle school and upper elementary school students will want this warm, candid guide. - Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, MD, School Library Journal
(Starred review) "Groundbreaking sexuality educator Corinna, founder of the website Scarleteen, works with cartoonist Rotman to bring her knowledge and experience to this slim but mighty guide...This book consistently puts the needs of its readers first, meticulously working to emphasize gender diversity, individuality, and the messiness of adolescence....Body parts are intentionally ungendered, sexual orientations are shown as fluid and joyful, and there is a constant emphasis on the importance of friendships and mutual support. While brief, this guide manages to cover crucial topics thoroughly and humorously, reassuring readers that while all of this is a big deal, it's something they can handle. The cartoony illustrations are appealing and fun, the book includes interactive activities such as word searches and crossword puzzles, and there's a fairly thorough glossary in the back. This extremely modern guide to growing up excels in its field. " - Kirkus Reviews
"It brings a loving, essential lens to matters of heart and soul, offering a roadmap not only to physical changes, but the complex social and emotional terrain of consent, crushes, and identity." -- Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, Nurture the Wow
"Wait, What? is straightforward and clear, exactly what's needed to help kids develop authentic awareness and conversation about bodies, relationships, feelings and sexuality." -- Peggy Orenstein, Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape
"Informative and funny, this slim book is a knock-out success when it comes to what tweens and teens need to know about puberty, gender, and sex. This is a great option for readers who find that puberty and sexuality guides often lack important information or use exclusionary language, Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up has a refreshing, positive stance towards sexuality: It's just another way to express yourself (by yourself and/or with others, if/when you're ready). The language affirms all genders (e.g. "If you've got a vagina," "people with a penis") and sexualities ("Gay? Straight? Both? Neither? Who even knows?"). And it includes sexual assault in the discussion of consent. The nuance it brings to these topics shows a deep respect for tween and teen readers." -- Common Sense Media
"The book deftly acknowledges that each of its five main characters is different in their experience of their bodies, sexualities, genders, romantic interests, and overall development. It allows each kid to define their experience on their own terms and shows a little of their process of becoming comfortable with their unique selves, while promoting kind and thoughtful behavior toward all peers... It is non-judgmental and at times truly profound." - Adrian White, Autostraddle
"It touches on puberty and the challenges of growing up, but answers all their questions about love, sex and relationships as well. Without going into 'information overload'...It's a great little book that will give them more than the basics but not overwhelm them with 'too much information'! " - Cath Hakanson
About the Author
For over two decades, Heather Corinna, the author of S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties, Wait, What? A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up, with Isabella Rotman and the forthcoming What Fresh Hell Is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You--a Guide (2021, Hachette Books/Lifelong) has been widely recognized as a leader in sexuality information, education and support for young people.
Previously an early childhood educator, Heather founded and directs the international organization Scarleteen (scarleteen.com), one of the first sources of comprehensive sexuality and relationships education online, a resource that stands alone in its tenure, approach, reach, inclusivity and scope. Heather was also an educator and counselor for the Cedar River Clinicsand a contributing editor for the 2011 edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves. They've been awarded The Champions of Sexual Literacy Award for Grassroots Activism (2007), the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Western Region's Public Service Award (2009), the Our Bodies, Ourselves' Women's Health Heroes Award (2009), the Joan Helmich Educator of the Year award (2012), the Woodhull Foundation's Vicki Award (2013), the Steinem-Waters Award (2015) and the Golden Brick Award (2015). Heather lives and works in Chicago.
Isabella Rotman is a cartoonist and illustrator from Maine, living and drawing in Chicago. Her art is usually about the ocean, mermaids, crushing loneliness, people in the woods, or sex. Isabella is the author of two sexual health comics: You're so Sexy When You Aren't Transmitting STIs, and Not On My Watch; The Bystanders' Handbook for the Prevention of Sexual Violence. Both are distributed at a number of college, universities, and organizations. Isabella has been Artist in Residence at Scarleteen since 2013. Isabella was nominated for the Ignatz Award for Outstanding New Talent in 2017.
