Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: Expanded Third Edition: A Book for Teens on Sex and Relationships

I bought this for my 15 year old son for reference and for his information. His father won't talk to him about sex and he is too embarrassed to talk with me. In fact, I had to leave it in his room and he swore he wouldn't look at it. That he had learned everything he needed to know in 1 week of sex ed at school (!) 2 weeks later he thanked me for buying it. Still trying to keep the lines of communication open but at least now I know he is armed with knowledge.

I am 20 years old and recieved this book at the age of 12. It was an amazing resource for me throughout my preteen year, and teen years. I was able to get non biased information, just the facts, whenever I was too embarased to ask someone. I am now looking at buying one for my 11 year old brother, so that he can learn from it the way I have.

This is the best book on being a teenager that I have ever read! And this should mean a lot to you coming from a teen (I'm a 15 year old male). It's different from other books in that it encourages teens to make their own decisions in life. It doesn't come out and say, "No! Sex is bad! You will rot in hell if you have sex before you are married!" Instead, it gives equal reasons of why to have sex and why not to and then describes all the means of birth control. But it doesn't just deal with sex, it also touches on emotions that you might have through adolecence, masturbation, what you can do if you do become pregnent, and even drugs.

Changing Bodies, Changing Lives is a wonderfully open-minded book filled with diagrams, interviews, comics, and poems which focus on puberty, sexuality, relationships, family, and life in general presented in an appealing manner. Pre-teens will benefit from being able to prepare themselves for the important changes that await them. Teens will enjoy reading about other kids with the same concerns and worries. Parents who read this book will be better equipped to answer the inevitable "QUESTION". Ruth Bell and the Teen Book Project present a plethora of valuable information in an easy to understand format. Some may be put off by the explicit descriptions, but keep in mind that these scenarios are taken from real interviews with teens. The guide covers emotional and physical changes which accompany puberty as well as such important matters as gynecological exams, marriage, rape, sexually transmitted diseases, and self-esteem. If there is any one book that should be on every adolescent's bookshelf (and their parents' bookshelf for that matter) it is Changing Bodies, Changing Lives.

I am 14, and these are some of the most difficult years of my life. After reading this book, I felt better about what is going on with me and others. I refer to the book usually on a daily basis when I feel confused, or just want to know that there are other people that have feelings about the things I have feelings about. I love how the author made nothing in the book seem "wrong" to do. She was so open, when most other books think that some things shouldnt be talked about. I would like it if the book had more about Interatial Relationships. To me that is a strong topic. Otherwise I loved the book, and would refer it to anyone