Girlology: A Girl's Guide to Stuff That Matters

I'm sure my daughter will be reading this with my granddaughter soon. She'll be 9 next month & has been asking questions about biology since age 4. We've read many younger body books. We've talked about proper names for her body parts (which not only includes her vagina, vulva, clitoris but also her bladder, liver, various bones, parts of her mouth/throat, etc. The knowledge she possesses has been a great help on visits to the doctor. Rather than saying something hurts, she names the part that hurts or itches. The prior reviewer said to wait til she's 16 before reading this book. In my opinion, that's far too old. Girls are maturing much earlier these days. I know a girl who got her period at age 11. If she's ready, she'll listen. She may only be ready for parts of the book. I personally feel this is a good book to read WITH preteens. I'll feel much more comfortable knowing my granddaughter possesses good knowledge rather than hearsay from friends. I'm a mother of 4 and granddmother of 6. From personal experience, In the late 60's, I never learned how to say "no". I had a boyfriend at 15 & we learned together. Was engaged at 16, which didn't last long ( I did get smart here) but never told my parents. My mother handed me a 500 page Biology book at 16 of which I read a page & laughed to myself, knowing I already knew everything. My best friend became pregnant at 16 & dropped out of high school. I got pregnant at late 17 & had an abortion at 18. Actually this sounds like kids today. Forty years later not much has changed. I'd also been sexually harassed at age 14 by a friend of my best friends parents. I told the mother of my friend. She did nothing. Was sexually approached & intimidated by 2 male employers at the age of 14-16, 2 of my 3 part-time jobs. I was also drugged & date-raped at 19, by a reputable co-worker, my Supervisor. All of these things were happening to other girls but no one ever talked about it. There were no words for date-rape, sexual harassment, molestation by family or family friends or stalkers. Now we have laws protecting minors & women. There's also much information about teen pregnancy & prevention. It's great that its out there, but what use is it if girls don't know. Yes, I believe this book is well written with good art. A very small part of it talks about sex. In this book you'll find straight talk about Friendships, parents, sexuality, teen relationships, media influences, values & decision making - are discussed. It does it without being preachy, dull and scientific. This book will give girls confidence and "girl power" to build goals, beliefs and their future.

I wish I had been given this info when I was a preteen! I read through this book before giving it to my 9 1/2yr. old daughter. I choose which chapters to share with her and will add more when I think she can handle it. Some of the information is quite explicit but it is information that our daughters will get from their friends - and probably wrong too! I think that this is a great book and it's well written so that young "women" can understand it.

I can't say enough good things about this book!! The information is presented in an easy to read manner that works for both parent and child. It focuses on topics that matter, which are sometimes hard to talk about with your kid. If you have a daughter in this early teen age bracket, you need this book! Laura-

It can be really tough to find a balance between providing great information and doing so in a voice that really reaches girls. This book succeeds beautifully!! Girls will love the fun, easy way important topics are addressed and moms will appreciate the nitty-gritty details!

As a obstetrican/gynecologist AND parent of one teen daughter and one preteen daughter, I have to say that this is a MUST have for any adolescent girl in today's society. I applaud these authors for tackling this often avoided topic. This is the most infomative and "teen-friendly" source available. It is written in such a way that it speaks to girls in a language they can understand and appreciate. While there are other resources that address similar issues, this is the only book that speaks to today's teens about tough issues that were uncommon in my generation. Whether we as parent's like it or not, our kids are exposed to more than we could ever imagine and at younger and younger ages. This is a great book to read with your daughter (as we have with ours) and a great opportunity to open dialogues in your home. I highly recommend this to all my adolescent patients and their parents.