Hooking Up: A Girl's All-out Guide to Sex And Sexuality

One of the most important things that can be done to encourage adolescent and young women to make safe, responsible decisions about their sexuality is to provide them with the tools and information necessary to make those decisions. Amber's book, Hooking Up-A Girls All-Out Guide to Sex and Sexuality, does just that, and does it in a very balanced way. She discusses the positives AND the negatives associated with a variety of behaviors and decision-making processes, and presents girls with the information necessary to understand how and why their bodies and emotions function as they do. Amber writes in a conversational tone and with a sense of humor that makes the book an easy read and, perhaps more importantly, easy to comprehend. The book covers just about everything young women need to know in a short, concise format that is not intended to be a treatise on the subject, but rather an introduction to what they need to know to understand how their sexuality impacts them and their bodies at this age. It is also a good read for guys who want some insight into what women face as they learn to manage their own sexuality. This book accomplishes its purpose so well that I have placed it at the top of my "Must Read" list for teenagers and young women. I wish I had had this book or a book like it when I was in high school, and I'd definitely recommend that any parent give it to their daughter.

I got a copy of this for my 16-year old daughter but after I read it, I want to make sure my 15-year old son reads it too. Be prepared. It's graphic. But you can either let kids go out there unprepared and hope for the best, or you can give them a chance to learn about and think about things in advance so when they get into sexual situations they are prepared to make good, safe and enjoyable decisions. With the help of solid professional support, Amber Madison has done a great job creating a book that speaks to it's audience with a credible style. As the publisher of health information for the general public, I see a lot of books and other resources and this one is on my short list to recommend.

HOOKING UP: A GIRL'S ALL-OUT GUIDE TO SEX & SEXUALITY comes from a Tufts University graduate who studied human sexuality - but expect not a science-laden treatise, here. It's a most readable, hard-hitting advice column to young women on sexuality, dating, and sex and covers all the basics, from understanding monogamy and sexual risks to contraception - including how to correctly use a condom and assessing problems with their use. Expect a candid, yet analytical, survey which trends where other sex guides fear to go, making it much more useful for modern women than competitors which dance around the subject. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Twenty-two year old recent college graduate Amber Madison has penned a non-fiction book about sex & sexuality that puts it on the line for young girls (and their parents). Nothing is off limits in Hooking Up-A Girls All-Out Guide to Sex and Sexuality (Prometheus Books). Amber starts with the basics (like describing the various sexual organs), and gets down to the details that some people may be apprehensive to ask about in conversation. From vaginal discharges, yeast infections, sexually transmitted diseases to pregnancy it's all here. Amber also tackles tough issues like body image, sexual orientation, rape, relationships and abuse among other topics. I think this is a great book for young women who want to learn more intimacy. The layout and illustrations make for easy reading. The book also has a conversational tone to it. Amber Madison is a graduate of Tufts University. She studied human sexuality in her degree program and she wrote a column in the Tufts Daily about sex, safe sex, and relationships.

With the media bombardment of sex in our culture, reality and media imagery are often world's apart. This book is a chatty, enlightening window into the lexicon and concerns surrounding young people's sexuality today. Its also a great conversation starter with any teen. :-)