Book Description
This bestselling guide answers all the questions growing girls have about their bodies - from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to bra buying, pimples to periods. It offers guidance about basic hygiene and health without addressing issues of sexuality. Over 1 million copies sold!
Customer Reviews:
Answers for Girls.......2007-10-06
Ordered for 11 yr old granddaughter.....absolutely marvelous...well illustrated and answers questions girls "worry" about....very,very informative and also makes girls "think"!
Amazing book for youg girls!.......2007-09-30
I got the book AmericanGirl:The Care & Keeping of You for my 9 year old daughter, Jordan, and I couldn't have been happier. It covers the basics but does not get into details that are inappropriate for her age. It answered a lot of questions for her about what to expect as she gets older, and started a lot of conversations she might have been to embarassed to ask before.
Sensitively written, excellent topic choices.......2007-09-17
I bought this book for my 8-year old daughter. She had noticed "development" in her classmates (most are 9 or 10 years old) and gymnastics teammates (up to 12 years old) and had so many questions. We have a very open and frank relationship, and it was great to have this book as a resource. She is an excellent reader and likes to learn on her own, then check back with me about questions raised in her books. I read the book first and found it sensitively written, with a good range of topics. At first I thought she wouldn't be interested in the health and skin care sections, but those were what she read first. The book doesn't address "where babies come from" but I think that is okay because my daughter is just concerned with getting to Teen before worrying about getting to Woman. She read the book in two days and she was able to pinpoint things that were worrying her using the clear language from the book so that we could talk through them. She tells me that she feels more confident when discussion among her classmates turns to "growing up" topics. I will definitely be buying more books in the American Girl series.
Great For Growing Girls.......2007-09-16
My daughter is 7 and has been asking a lot of questions about her body. Though I think I've done a pretty good job of explaining things as best I can, this book was a great help. There are drawn and colored illustrations that you would expect from a children's book along with explanations and tips to follow. It was even helpful for adults as well. There is a section on healthy eating, bathing, puberty, menstration, etc. This book did a really good job of explaining the changes of a girls body leading up to puberty and adult hood without going into sexuality. I really liked being able to talk with my daughter about her body without having to get into the details of sex. I hope they have a book like this for when those questions start in.
A very happy mom and daughter.
My daughter wouldn't put it down........2007-09-13
My 9 yr old daughter got this from her Grandma for Christmas. She sat and read it all morning during all the present-opening! She has read it numerous times since, has asked me something while flipping to that particular page she's talking about, and has really made what it teaches her a part of her by quoting parts of it to me when I talk about body care. I had heard from everyone who had this book that it's a must-buy book for young girls-it's true! It allowed her to feel like she had some control about how much she wanted to learn. She now has something to talk to me about rather than just listening to what I have to say about growing up.
Book Description
Guys Aren’t the Only Ones Fighting a Battle for Purity.
The world you live in promotes sex as the answer to just about everything. The pressure to go along with the crowd is greater than ever before, and it’s easy to compromise in little ways that are a lot more harmful than they seem. You and your friends may become caught up in destructive relationships or sexual activities without even knowing how you got there. You just want to be normal–to fit in, to be liked, to look attractive to the opposite sex. But are you paying too high a price?
This counterpart to the award-winning Every Young Man’s Battle can help you:
· learn how the sexual battle begins in your heart and mind
· understand your hunger for attention from guys
· recognize and avoid the potential pitfalls awaiting young women on the journey toward adulthood and possibly marriage
· find out how the media, novels, fashion, internet chat rooms, and body and beauty obsessions influence your sexual choices–and what you can do about it
· guard your mind, heart, and body against sexual and emotional compromise
· develop a deeper, more satisfying level of intimacy with God
Whether you have so far protected yourself emotionally and sexually, feel that you’ve been robbed of your purity, or have given in to temptation in some way, this book can help you achieve or reclaim sexual integrity. It can also guide you through the temptations and pressures of young adulthood while demonstrating how you can live your life to the fullest–without regrets.
Customer Reviews:
Great Advice!.......2007-09-06
Awesome book! Another great book that I recommend - How to be a Super Hot Woman: 339 Tips to Make Every Man Fall in Love with You and Every Woman Envy You
P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!!.......2007-08-21
Another bestseller which I love and recommend - How to be a Super Hot Woman: 339 Tips to Make Every Man Fall in Love with You and Every Woman Envy You
Both books are a must read for every woman!
Does not provide complex and nuanced strategies, which are essential for intensely complex dilemmas.......2007-07-31
Do not buy this book. If you are curious and want to evaluate it for yourself, borrow it from your local library (ask for it via inter-library loan if your library does not hold a copy).
Girls who have not acknowledged their own healthy sexual desires, who have not thought about their sexual desires in context with their other desires (to date, to connect with other people, to not have sex until marriage, to find and marry a person with similar values, etc.), and who have not pre-conceptualized how they might manage predictable situations will find themselves ill prepared to handle those situations.
"Every Young Woman's Battle: Guarding Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World" does not help prepare or guide the girl who is alone with her boyfriend and finds herself intensely aroused while kissing him. Libido only looses its clarity, not its intensity, when jumbled with the social and cultural complexities of sexuality.
Ethridge and Arterburn do not provide complex and nuanced tools and strategies, which are essential for deeply complex challenges. Hopefully they can do so in their next addition, or perhaps another author will.
In the mean time I think girls and women would be better off reading "Every Young Man's Battle: Strategies for Victory in the Real World of Sexual Temptation" along with "Dilemmas of Desire: Teenage Girls Talk about Sexuality" by Deborah L. Tolman. (Ethridge and Arterburn should read Tolman's book as well.)
Dilemmas of Desire: Teenage Girls Talk about Sexuality
A "Must-Read" for teenage girls.......2007-07-16
If there had been a book like this for me when I was a teenager in the 70's, I could have saved myself many mistakes. The book answers questions every parent wants to answer but may not know how to or have the nerve to, in a way that is straightforward and scripturally based. I suggest parents and daughters read this one together. We read it together in our high school youth group while the boys read it's companion book, "Every Young Man's Battle". It helps everyone understand why they should remain sexually pure until marriage.
fantastic!.......2007-05-17
This book was real. It touched on the soultion for dealing with constant thoughts of the opposite sex as well as forgiving yourself for your past. Everyone is a new creature when they ask for forgiveness and this book did a great job of reminding us of that. I recommend this book to ALL young preteens, teen age, and young women. Anyone who is interested in EVER dating.
Book Description
From the award-winning author of the best books on puberty — A completely new book written especially for 8-11-year-old girls, playfully illustrated in an appealing, two-color design.
Young girls before the onset of puberty have a curiosity about their soon-to-be changing bodies that needs addressing in a simpler way than for their older sisters. In the proven, trust-worthy, Madaras-friendly voice and style, this entirely new book now brings them the same kind of thoughtful, down-to-earth information—but at a reading and understanding level that's just right for them.
Responding throughout to real-life questions and observations from younger girls, Madaras explores the strange and thrilling changes that are happening, or about to happen, to them, including: the development of breasts, body hair, and body fat; the changes in their reproductive organs, both inside and out; their first period and all the complex feelings surrounding it; the unwelcome appearance of acne and new body odors; and, perhaps most important, how to respect and celebrate their unique bodies, even when the outside world is not always so accepting.
Lively cartoon drawings throughout make the book not only helpful, but fun to read, too.
Customer Reviews:
Good As it Gets For Me.......2007-09-24
It was a very hard decision for me to choose a book and this ended up being the one I chose for my girl. Mainly because it has alot of information and fun graphics that help make this serious topic a little more light hearted. Some of the info is a bit much for my 9 1/2 yr old but I can see her referencing back to this book later. My important focus was for my DD to understand her menstrual cycle and what is happening. It's a bit detailed regarding the female reproductive organs which I think is just a bunch of big words for her now, but like I said can be something she can reference back to as she gets older. I did like it's recognition of how these changes can make you feel awkward but the author encourages her young readers to feel proud of themselves. This book could have been better if the author had explained intercourse but apparently she has a different book for that.
There were so many books and so many varying reader reviews from not enough info to porn for the same book! For example the reviews on the American Girl My Body book are glowing but for me there was no detailed explanation as to why a woman has her cycle, there was alot of fluff that was okay for younger girls but not a girl approaching puberty. I think that shows that this is a very individual choice for each family. My reccomendation is to browse here but go to your local library or a bookstore and look before you come back to Amazon to buy. I think the best book is the one you write yourself, but since that's not going to happen it's important you have a chance to look cover to cover for the book you know your child will be reading cover to cover several times over the next few years - good luck!
Don't Forget Your Son!.......2007-09-15
I purchased this book for my 11 year old son so that he could have a better understanding of what makes girls tick. He already has a good bit of knowledge on boys body development and we wanted him to know more. This was a good general information book that explains the changes he is already seeing in some of his classmates.
"Ready, Set, Grow: A What's Happening to my Body? Book for younger Girls.......2007-08-24
Great Book! Lots of good solid information for a younger girl of 8yrs.
We did not read the whole book because it was not information she needs right now.
Good Book to start talking about growing up and changes.......2007-05-11
I notice some changes in my daughters appearance and I knew it was time to start to have some discussions. We have worked our way through two chapters reading together and talking about stuff. A heck of a lot more than I got when I was growing up. Hopefully this will help her get through these changing times
Must have for mom/daughter "TALK".......2007-04-11
This is the best book to help explain puberty to your young daughters. I did a lot of research and even purchased 3 books, and this is the only one I used. This book is very imformative while at the same time it is light and fun. It covers absolutely everything from breast growth, pimples, moodiness, body changes, sensible eating habits, periods, how to use a tampon, explanation of sex (without being too graffic), Q & A's with young girls, and finally, the last chapter deals with sexual harrassment and abuse and how a girl is to deal with either of these situations should they need to. I have twin girls that just turned 9 and I wanted to be sensitive to their young age (but also informative) as girls are maturing earlier all the time. They couldn't get enough of this book (we read it together) and noone was imbarassed or felt uncomfortable. This book turned a sensitive issue and talk into a relaxed and fun bonding experience that helped my girls prepare, without anxiety, for their future growth both emotionally and physically. I will save it for my 3 year old daughter and purchase other books from this author. Laureen E. Defiance, MO
Book Description
American women may gobble up self-help books and careen from weight-loss scheme to spiritual makeover, but French women simply seem to know themselves, to understand what works in their lives and how to get it. From selecting that legendary per-fect little black dress to picking the right job-or man-the French girl has it all figured out. How does she eat a three course meal-with wine-every day at lunch and stay so maddeningly slim? How does she manage to keep her house in perfect stylish order, hold down a great job, and still take four weeks of vacation every summer in Italy? Ollivier decodes these mysteries and more, exploring the differences in how American and French women view life, food, love, and themselves. Laced with practical tips, engaging sidebars, and essential observations, Entre Nous is thought-provoking, delightful reading.
Customer Reviews:
A must have book.......2007-09-01
If you love everything French, you must get this book. The author lived ten years in France, is married to a Frenchman and has French/American children. I cannot think of a better combination for a woman to share in a very detailed way all the secrets of chic French.
I love this book!.......2007-04-18
I have read it cover to cover and love it I would recommend this book to any one wanting to add a bit of French to her life.
EVERY Girl Should Own this book!.......2007-04-14
This book is a fantastic read if you are interested in French culture, or if you want to pick up a few tips from the chic French.
The author divides up the book into pertinent sections on the head (attitude and thoughts), the body (how she takes care of it and loves being in her skin), the heart (how the French girl loves), food (how she only chooses the best and stays so slim), partying (she is of course very sophisticated), the home (her exquisite taste), and much more!
I really enjoyed this book and use it frequently. I already have a new list of books and movies from the little side bars alone, not to mention many, many tips from the Borrow a Page from the French Girl sections frequent throughout the chapters.
A wonderful book for a girl that wants a little more style or just joie in her vie!
intelligent and interesting.......2007-04-13
I love this book. I am an avid reader of all things which give insight into the lifestyles of the french who have a fascinating culture and some intresting quirks and ways. I am too often dissappointed with books in this genre however this was an absolutely fabulous read. Written with intelligence and in an easy to read format Ollivier has obviously done her research well and is truly passionate about her subject matter. There are lots of references to guide you towards other books and films on the topic. If your a francophile or would just like some interesting advice on a few different ways of being a modern woman then buy this book.
I have some mixed feelings.......2007-01-18
This book can be fun, yes, but it also is a bit irritating. It is one in a long line of books that tells us repeatedly that the worst European is inherently superior than the best American; that all Americans are shallow, unsophisticated, uneducated, and completely incapable of being even the slightest bit introspective.
Her French friends mostly come off as obnoxious and smug (oh how stereotypically French smugness is though, isn't it?) and frankly I don't know why an American would be friends with people who so obviously loathe America and Americans.
Granted there are parts with which I do agree. I really hate the way dieting and self-torture are exalted in our culture. I also hate that many people cannot separate between who someone is and what they do for a living. I also know I am not the only American who would much rather discuss literature or politics than whatever diet is so popular these days. Yes there is a wee little segment (about one page) in which she lists what the French girl admires about the American girl, it hardly makes up for page after page of how we are just simply inferior by birth into this culture.
At least we don't sell arms to our enemies.
Customer Reviews:
We all need help sometimes.......2007-07-27
I gave the book to my daughter, to assist her with her daughter who is 9 years old now. The book is great. It covers all the things a little girl who is becoming a young teenager needs to know about her body changes and life in general. Wonderful!!
Didn't like Sex talk.......2007-06-22
Although the book discusses it tastefully, I could have done without the section on Sexual Intercourse. That makes it less appropriate for the younger set (9) who are just learning about themselves let alone an interaction with another. The book is written in a manner that keeps the subject interesting and the true life stories are a hit. After raising three adult children, I was looking for a book for my younger children that just discussed the physical changes at this age. Things like why it may be good to wear deodorant, take more baths/showers while stressing things like feeling comfortable with your body and that other people touching it is not appropriate. I think a good book but stress its use for older girls.
good book.......2007-01-10
This book is great. I work with kids ages 9-11 and they're at that age where curiosity becomes overbearing. Mavis Jukes touches on hard to discuss topics and makes learning about scary things easier. At the same time it is not too detailed.
Perfect first book for maturing young girls.......2007-01-09
I bought this book for my eight year old daughter, but haven't given it to her yet. It is definitely appropriate for young girls, as it explains the changes to expect (for girls only) during puberty but does not go into reproduction and other mature details, which I believe would be more appropriate for older girls. It is written in an age-appropriate tone and encourages girls to take care of their bodies, reassures that their feelings are normal, etc. I do wish it did not have quite as much detail about the use of feminine products, which is why I haven't given it to her just yet, but overall it is the perfect book for young ladies who are just beginning to "need to know."
perfect for pre-teen.......2006-12-29
While there may be a spot or two that I would like to have omitted, the reality is this is the best book I have seen for the pre-teen girl entering puberty. As with anything, parents should communicate directly with their kids, not just give them a book. For those who have a hard time, this book will do a good job all by itself too. My daughter (who is an avid reader) thinks this is a really good book. It explains all the facts of things she and her friends are going through, and will go through, in an easy to understand format with illustrations. It's a reference that can be referred to again and again as girls evolve.
Amazon.com
Adolescent girls today face the issues girls have always faced: "Who am I?" and "Who do I want to be?" Unfortunately their answers, now more than ever before, revolve around the body rather than the mind, heart, or soul. "The body is at the heart of the crisis that [Carol] Gilligan, [Mary] Pipher, and others describe.... The fact that American girls now make the body their central project is not an accident or a curiosity," writes Brumberg, "it is a symptom of historical changes that are only now beginning to be understood." The historical photos, thorough research, and political even-handedness make this a book of worth and sincerity. The Body Project is also comforting for women, adolescents, parents, lesbians, and male lovers of women--helping us sort out the roots of female insecurities, obsessions, and angst.
Book Description
"Timely and sympathetic . . . a work of impassioned advocacy." --
People
A hundred years ago, women were lacing themselves into corsets and teaching their daughters to do the same. The ideal of the day, however, was inner beauty: a focus on good deeds and a pure heart. Today American women have more social choices and personal freedom than ever before. But fifty-three percent of our girls are dissatisfied with their bodies by the age of thirteen, and many begin a pattern of weight obsession and dieting as early as eight or nine. Why?
In
The Body Project, historian Joan Jacobs Brumberg answers this question, drawing on diary excerpts and media images from 1830 to the present. Tracing girls' attitudes toward topics ranging from breast size and menstruation to hair, clothing, and cosmetics, she exposes the shift from the Victorian concern with inner beauty to our modern focus on outward appearance--in particular, the desire to be model-thin and sexy. Compassionate, insightful, and gracefully written,
The Body Project explores the gains and losses adolescent girls have inherited since they shed the corset and the ideal of virginity for a new world of sexual freedom and consumerism--a world in which the body is their primary project.
"Joan Brumberg's book offers us an insightful and entertaining history behind the destructive mantra of the '90s--'I hate my body!'" --Katie Couric
Customer Reviews:
Understanding a Cultural Obsession.......2007-04-23
Topic: - The book is the author's historical perspective, suggesting there are ever increasing visual evaluations and body standards being placed on American Girls.
Commentary: - The book does an excellent job of bringing attention to the messages girls are constantly bombarded with from all forms of media, advertising and cultural rules, messages that try to persuade them their body should have certain attributes and not have other attributes. It outlines how with each new generation, new social visual ideals are added. From shaving legs, to waxing, to eyebrow control, to hairstyles, to overall weight, to muscle tone, to bad breath, to body odor, to feminine hygeine, to piercings, to tattoos, to teeth straightening, to belly button length, to breast shape, to teeth whitening, and on and on.
Writing Style: - I thought the premise and supporting facts of this book were excellent, but if I have to fault one aspect of the book, it is that the writing sometimes lost my attention - this occurred even though I greatly care about the issues discussed in the book.
What would have made this book better?: - There is an inherent conflict in these issues: How do you make "not being a pawn to these social pressures" interesting and sexually attractive? One of the main draws that advertisers and social forces use is: IF you perfectly control your body and develop these many attributes, THEN you'll be more well liked, treated better, more in control, or more sexually attractive. For the book to have been even better, it needed to spend more time promoting non-conformist beauty ideals and conceptual frameworks.
In other words, it needed to do more to show how NOT persuing a "body perfect" can lead to better social relationships, understanding, attractiveness, etc. It's not enough to tell a person, "Don't do that." It's better to show them how alternative paths can produce more fulfilling and better outcomes. This is because women are constantly bombarded with the opposing messages of: "Make your body perfect" and you will receive _____ (fill in the blank).
Why did I write this review?: - I read this book about a year ago, and I didn't feel compelled to write a review. But one of the attributes of a great idea or a great book of ideas is the longer the ideas are considered in your brain (the more evidence and scenarios you evaluate using those ideas), the more those ideas resonate with 'truth' or significance.
Like most people, I use the internet often. I'm just sickened by the frequency of visual beauty ads. From wrinkle creams, to Stry-Vectyn, to Bo-Tox, to acne-fighters, and every other blemish or age-fighting cream, lotion, or potion. The same messages are coming from T.V.
Dove has launched a "Real Beauty" campaign, where they show women with "non-ideal" body types and weight ranges. And while I can admire some of the premise, which is: "Beauty is broader than the narrow definitions of supemodel advertising," I am also saddened as Dove, a cosmetic company, has also introduced the suggestion: Older women and non-ideal women need to spend more money on our beauty products. Olay's campaign of "Fight crows feet . . . on your elbows and your legs" is creating additional Body Projects for women to be concerned about.
Given the constant messages and pressures American women receive, I expect most women have dealt with an eating disorder or OCD mindset about their physical appearance. After reading this book, I admire every woman who has managed to overcome our culture's body obsession and who has found a way to moderate their eating habits and perceptions of their body.
I recommend at least scanning this book to find any topics of interest. Hopefully, young women who have read this book will be more able to recognize the unnecessary demands and often unreachable standards being asked of them. Hopefully they will learn to define their beauty, and the beauty of the women around them, using more non-body-defined benchmarks.
Fabulous.......2007-04-04
This book was the best non-fiction I have ever read. It details the changing attitudes towards girls' bodies from the Victorian era to now. It's a sad, hard truth, but opens readers' eyes to the stark reality of girls' bodies going from prime real estate -joint owners being parents and the future husband- to nothing but over-sexed, under nourished, under appreciated, and under protected citizens of society.
This book is a wonderful chronicle of the changes in physical appearance, as well as mental status, in the ever-changing world of girls in society.
Fair Attempt to Explain a Growing Problem.......2006-06-10
I bought this book because I see how girls/young women stuggle to achieve a very unrealistic ideal of beauty and how middle aged women stuggle to hang on to what they had as young women. As I approach 50, I know I am expected to stay trim, fit and muscular in spite of the fact that my body struggles mightly against it, especially since pregnancy and child birth.
As for the book, it is heavily researched and some of that research does involve journals from the 19th century and beyond. The first chapter is about how girls' bodies are maturing at a much faster rate than those of their fore sisters and the implications of this. Interesting.
The second chapter covers menstruation and menarche in detail. It is really too long. The basic premise of the chapter is how menarche has become consumerized. Mothers provide their daughters with all the mass manufactured equipment and not much else. The author wants menarche to be explained to girls as the time they enter womanhood, but I have a problem with this for two reasons. #1 Most girls are entering menarche at a time when they are not even remotely ready to be women. #2 When I enter menopause, am I exiting womanhood?
The third chapter covers the quest for perfect skin. It is page after page covering the subject of acne and how it has been dealt with over the past century. This, also, the author feels has been very much consumerized, as mothers take their daughters to the doctors and buy any and every cream and potion to relieve their daughters' agony.
The fourth chapter deals with the history of girls trying to achieve the perfect body and the fifth with the disappearance of virginity and how women have gained sexual freedom, but this has also filtered down to girls in middle school and high school and most of these girls and young women are ill equipped mentally and emotionally to deal with the ramifications of their sexuality.
The overall ideals in the book are excellent. The fact that girls have lost their closeness with mothers, aunts, teachers and other female role models. The fact that most of their learning comes from the media and girls their own ages. The fact that outward beauty is what females are judged by rather than beauty that comes from inside. The fact that girls are no longer protected through the family unit. They are sexually active earlier and earlier and often with older men and not boys of their own age. They have been sold the goods of freedom and independence when they are really not ready for them, etc.
Unfortunately, the book did not so much back up these ideas, but more harped on consumerism...the buying of feminine products, make up, clothes, etc. I am pretty sure this is but I small part of the problem.
Why "beautiful on the inside" doesn't seem to matter anymore.......2006-01-19
What happened to American girls, to women, over the past hundred years, that caused a quantum shift in how they present themselves to the world?
Intelligence, spirituality, charity and volunteerism, and skills for all things domestic were once revered. The most popular girl in her class wasn't the prettiest girl. The girl considered best for marriage had the qualities desired for a wife and mother and not what she looked like on her husband's arm.
We are all victims of this shift.
I admit I first noticed this book on a shelf in a train-station bookstore because of the flat, tanned belly on the cover. We've become a society obsessed with pieces and parts and appearances of the pieces and parts rather than the beauty of the whole person. Our self-esteem is measured by the numbers on the scale or the size of our jeans or the clarity of our skin.
Over the past six years, I've reread this book a few times, and always find a new point that rings true.
In her revealing (yet not surprising) sociological history Blumberg uses the best and most frank sources to illustrate her case: the private diaries of young women, from the Victorian era to present day (the late 90's). Blumberg theorizes that it's the media and consumerism that are the biggest contributors to the shift and uses excerpts from the diaries to make her point.
Blumberg focuses on middle-class Caucasian girls circa 1998, and perhaps the book needs an update to focus on a broader demographic as well as address the influence of the internet which has since become an increasingly important factor in the socialization and self-awareness of young women.
I think this is a decent book for a teenage girl, but I'm not sure it will have much of a positive influence. Girls are constantly being fed about how they should look and what products they should buy to achieve beauty.
It's a better book for a woman in her 20's or 30's who might want a better understanding of why we've become the way we are.
Unworthy of "American" in its title.......2005-10-02
The Body Project provides very selective leeway into the societal effects of African-American adolescent girls and their personal body projects. The main focus of this book is on the evolution of the white middle-class adolescent girl throughout American history. African-American and Jewish girls are mentioned briefly in a few chapters, while other ethnic groups are simply never discussed. Are these other various ethnic groups not worthy of their equal place in Brumberg's book?
Brumberg focuses on the evolution of the white middle-class female adolescent starting in the early 1800s and ending in the late 1990s. An evolution of the African American adolescent also took place during these times, but differently than that of their white female counterparts.
In order to understand black American adolescents today, foundation for cultural practices must first be established. Brumberg never mentions the coexistence of enslaved blacks, in America during the 18th or 19th centuries.
Though all women have the same biological anatomy, our genes vary, our cultures vary, so we should dispel the idea that when certain groups of women who menstruate earlier than others are abnormal or inferior. Brumberg reveals that this type of thought was well circulated throughout the medical community remained true during the Victorian period. The notion that black health was considered an expendable asset in the American medical community well through the early 1970s.
One major issue that Brumberg avoids is the abuse of children and adolescents. There is probably a close connection between the body projects that adolescents undertake and their harsh self-image.
Brumberg fails to expand on the greater idea that people exist who can never truly choose their identity before it first chooses them. Many girls are intrinsically bound to a stereotype, despite self-image. Possibly everyone has small things that they would like to alter about their physical appearances; however Americans also fail to see these "body projects" as a form a western female mutilation, of which millions of women have fallen victim. Plastic surgery is an ever-growing project that young girls obsess about. This standard idea of beauty that girls manipulate themselves on must disappear, before our individuality as women disappears.
Amazon.com
"I kept wanting it to happen. When it did I remember thinking, 'It's about time.'"
"I was worried at first. Then it really wasn't so bad after all."
"I remember my brothers weren't allowed to hit me in the chest anymore. I was kind of pleased about that."
What mysterious condition are these now grown-up girls talking about? Ah, yes, puberty! With scads of personal stories and an abundance of useful, detailed information about girls' changing bodies and feelings, author Lynda Madaras and her daughter Area Madaras have expanded their guide for girls on the verge of change. First published in 1983, the bestselling classic has been revised and updated several times over the years to keep up with ever evolving facts and wisdom about puberty in girls. In this third edition, the authors continue their straight talk on the menstrual cycle, reproductive organs, breasts, emotional changes, puberty in boys, body hair, pimples, masturbation, and all the other fun, scary, and interesting things that go along with growing up. Filled with anecdotes, illustrations, diagrams, and honest, sensitive, nonjudgmental information for the young girl, the revised edition also addresses the new scientific facts about when a girl actually begins puberty (earlier than previously thought), advice on "female athletic syndrome," eating disorders, unwanted attention because of early development, and information on eating right, exercise, AIDS, STDs, birth control, and so much more. A welcome, reassuring book for parents and daughters, designed with the understanding that some girls and parents will want to read it together, and some will want to read it on their own; without a doubt, though, all will benefit. Got boys? Don't miss What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys. (Ages 8 to 15) --Emilie Coulter
Book Description
The best book on puberty for 9-15 year old girls completely updated for the first time in 12 years! Selected as a "Best Book for Young Adults" by the American Library Association--The classic puberty education book for 9-15 year-old girls (over 500,000 copies sold), now thoroughly updated and freshly redesigned for the first time in 12 years. Now for the first time since the medical journal Pediatrics published its news-making, large-scale study indicating that puberty begins in girls even earlier than previously believed, Lynda Madaras has thoroughly rewritten, updated and expanded her classic book to address the younger girl and her concerns. As before, in age appropriate-language, the book covers the body's changing size and shape, breasts, the reproductive organs, the menstrual cycle, pubic hair, and includes a full chapter on puberty in boys. Reacting to the thousands of letters Madaras receives from kids all over the world, with a multitude of questions, as well as with new research data, she has made changes as follows:
* more discussion on when a girl will begin puberty
* more on the emotional and physical development and how that compares to other girls of the same age. Also what to do with unwanted attention because of early development
* new sections on diet, exercise, and health, with help on avoiding weight problems and eating disorders; avoiding unhealthy uses of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
* discussion of the " female athletic syndrome"
* more practical advice on products from treating acne to menstruation protection to sports bras
* internet resources that will guide the younger and older girls to more explicit, appropriate-to-their-age information on romance, sex, contraception, STDs, pregnancy, and multiple births.
Over 1,200,000 copies of Lynda Madaras books sold!
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful and informative.......2007-01-06
When I was nine, I was given this book along with "the talk". While talking is certainly something parents should do with their children to inform them about sex, they should also give them this book. It clearly explains sexuality with a main focus on puberty using small words and fairly large type for easy reading. By the age of twelve I had mostly outgrown this book because of the focus on puberty, so this book is best given earlier. This book also contains a short chapter on what is happening to boys at this age, which was also immensely useful.
As a short aside, I would like to mention that I am horrified by some of these reviews. If you wait to give this book to your daughter, or refrain entirely because it has an illustration of male genitalia, or because it mentions masturbation, or it doesn't promote the religious message of you have to wait until marriage, or that homosexuality is wrong and a sin, that is a bad decision. Children already know about sex from their classmates, and they don't know correct information. Some kids are already having sex at twelve. And if you wait to give this to your child, they won't know how to do it safely. I know you think, "oh, my ________ would NEVER do that". They may. And if they don't by age twelve or thirteen, they still will probably have done something sexual by the time they are sixteen or seventeen. And by the way, if you don't let them see an illustration of male genitalia, they will look it up. Trust me.
Excellent and informative.......2006-10-22
I read this book in fifth grade, and I still remember it to be interesting and informative. Some reviewers have mentioned that it provides too much information for younger readers; at age 11 I personally had no problems with it. Nationwide the trend has become to provide less information in regards to puberty, sex, etc. It's important that teenagers and to-be-teenagers are well-informed, and there is nothing in this book that should be disturbing or traumatizing. As the author suggests in the book, any reader who finds the information to be too thorough may simply skip over the parts irrelevant to her. In addition, readers may always come back to the book at a later date and more mature age, but there is good information in it for the pre-teen set as well.
Overall, I would strongly recommend this book as a factual and informative read. It's also well-written and interesting enough to read in one day.
Way too much information for a young girl.......2006-08-23
I bought this book with the intention of giving it to a girl who just turned 12. Both her mother and I agreed it was way to much information and the illustrations were too graphic for a 12 year-old. The intent of the book is commendable but some parents may take issue with the author's opinions on the subjects covered. It might be better for an older girl but parents/relatives should read the book carefully before handing it over to even a young teenager.
this book I really don't know what to say.......2006-03-31
I'm not finished but i'm already enjoying the book,i'm reading about "All About Having Periods" it's telling me everything about why i'm having headaches. So I just want to say that I want to meet the person that made this book and congratulate her on a splendid job she did with her book, and I really want the next book she wrote. I'm Irwinique Storr and i'm 10 years old and I live in Nassau, Bahamas to say that your book was magnificant. Thank you very much for listening to my review about your book, and I give your book 5 stars for creativity and for helping young girls like us feel safe for whatever happen to our body, my email adress is [...]and I really want you to tell me how you felt about my article so that I could know that you do care about us and our feelings.
Sincerely,
Irwinique
informative but advanced.......2006-03-15
This book turned out to be a little advanced for my 10 year old. She learned slang words she didn't know before!
Average customer rating:
- great series
- a great book for explaining, you know, everything to your kid
- Great book!
- The best book on this topic for young kids that I found!
- One of Three: Best for the Youngest!
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It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends
Robie H. Harris
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Nonfiction | New Baby | Family Life | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Sexuality | Health | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
It's So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families
-
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health
-
Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid They'd Ask): The Secrets to Surviving Your Child's Sexual Development from Birth to the Teens
-
What's the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys
-
Where Did I Come From?
ASIN: 0763600474
Release Date: 2006-07-25 |
Book Description
From the expert team behind IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL and IT'S SO AMAZING! comes a book for younger children about their bodies — a resource that parents, teachers, librarians, health care providers, and clergy can use with ease and confidence.
Young children are curious about almost everything, especially their
bodies. And young children are not afraid to ask questions. What makes
me a girl? What makes me a boy? Why are some parts of girls' and boys'
bodies the same and why are some parts different? How was I made?
Where do babies come from? Is it true that a stork brings babies to
mommies and daddies?
IT'S NOT THE STORK! helps answer these endless and perfectly normal questions that preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary school children ask about how they began. Through lively, comfortable language and sensitive, engaging artwork, Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley
address readers in a reassuring way, mindful of a child's healthy desire
for straightforward information. Two irresistible cartoon characters, a
curious bird and a squeamish bee, provide comic relief and give voice to
the full range of emotions and reactions children may experience while
learning about their amazing bodies. Vetted and approved by science,
health, and child development experts, the information is up-to-date,
age-appropriate, and scientifically accurate, and always aimed at helping
kids feel proud, knowledgeable, and comfortable about their own bodies,
about how they were born, and about the family they are part of.
Customer Reviews:
great series.......2007-08-28
this series of sex ed books for children are a great resource for parents who believe in open discussions about sexuality but don't know where to start with their children. each book is designed for a particular age group and addresses various aspects of sexuality appropriate for that age group. recommend highly.
a great book for explaining, you know, everything to your kid.......2007-07-15
Lots of easy to understand graphics and fun text make this book a great starting place to talk with your young kid about the birds and the bees. There's way more in here than what I need for my 4 year old right now, but it covered the basic information enough to satisfy her curiousity and my concern over how to describe a little, to be accurate, and not say too much.
Great book!.......2007-07-09
Bought this to help me answer those questions my 7 year old was asking. The age for this is listed as 4. I don't think I would use it for a child that young but it was perfect for what I needed. The illustrations are great, very child friendly. The descriptions were not overly graphic. I would recommend it to any one to help open the discussion with their child.
The best book on this topic for young kids that I found!.......2007-06-03
I had trouble finding the right book for my 4 years old, that is not too graphic and doesn't get into long explanations, becuase he has short attention span :-) However, this book has wonderful pictures, nicely presented, interesting for smaller kids. It is the best thing I found( and I looked at many, trust me!)!I will recommend it to all my friends, definetely a must for a toddler
One of Three: Best for the Youngest!.......2007-03-13
This book came to me through the Our Whole Lives faith and sexuality curriculum. It has two partner books, for older age groups. All three are excellent, and have been "tested" with several friends' families.
I highly recommend this book, and its "older siblings," It's So Amazing and It's Perfectly Normal. Check out all three, then look for a church or organization that offers Our Whole Lives!
Average customer rating:
- Who would have thought you could find a guide to life?
- Big hit with my daughter!
- Honest wisdom, great comfort, easy format
- become that person you've always admired
- Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls
|
Be True to Yourself: A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls
Amanda Ford
Manufacturer: Conari Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Prayer | Christianity | Religions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Devotional | Christianity | Religions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Nonfiction | Emotions & Feelings | Social Situations | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Nonfiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Teens | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Teens | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
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GirlWise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool, and in Control
-
Dealing with the Stuff That Makes Life Tough : The 10 Things That Stress Teen Girls Out and How to Cope with Them
-
33 Things Every Girl Should Know: Stories, Songs, poems, and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women
-
Mean Chicks, Cliques, and Dirty Tricks: A Real Girl's Guide to Getting Through the Day with Smarts and Style
-
Organizing from the Inside Out for Teenagers: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Room, Your Time, and Your Life
ASIN: 157324189X |
Book Description
Having recently emerged from the tumultuous teenage years herself, Amanda Ford saw the need for a guide to help girls learn to listen to their inner voices and think for themselves. Inspired by such popular books as Simple Abundance and The Woman's Book of Courage, her book offers support to young women as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. As anyone familiar with teenagers knows, there is nothing they hate more than being told what to do or how to think by "out of touch" adults. Here's the real scoop from one who knows the score. In 365 one-page essays, Ford offers stories, information, and advice on all the important issues facing young women today: boys, dating, drinking, self-esteem, fights with friends, dealing with parents, and more. Girls will find comfort, encouragement, and insight in these pages, along with suggestions for articulating and confiding their feelings, fears, and frustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Who would have thought you could find a guide to life?.......2007-03-10
I love the day-by-day style this book is written in, and the simple, page-long answers help so much with the complicated questions a girl can have at this time in her life. I personally have made it a habit to read the day's advice on my way out the door to school, and it's really helped me to improve my outlook on life. It's also nice because it gives advice on some akward topics that a girl can be embarassed to discuss with her parents. The only downside is that some of the advice is pretty obvious, and simply common sense. Overall though, I highly recommend it to any confused teenage girl like myself. =)
Big hit with my daughter!.......2006-02-24
I bought this for my 13-year-old. Even though the reviews were very positive, I worried about how successful of a gift it would be as my daughter is a no-nonsense girl who does not like fluff or mushiness. But she loves it! She reads it faithfully every day, and it's been a great conversation starter as she tells me about the "lesson" of the day. For her, it's just the right mixture of straight-forward talk and sensitivity without being to childish.
Honest wisdom, great comfort, easy format.......2002-10-18
I am a family counselor and I recomend this book for my teenage clients and their parents. It is full of comfort. Like a big sister whose just been through all the trials of being a teenager herself, Amanda is able to offer a perspective that parents and other adults can't. The formate is helpful and user friendly. The reader can look up any topic in the contents and read one page or many on subjects ranging from boys, to peer pressure, to parents. This book encourages girls to listen to their own voice instead of following the crowd. It encourages each girl to make choices that satisfy themselves.
become that person you've always admired.......2001-01-07
This wonderful book offers 366 (yes, it accounts for leap years) daily tips for living the best life you can. Offers sound advice for handling boys, jobs, peer pressure, self confidence, having fun, parents, jealousy, manners, dreams, and any of hundreds of issues that pop up daily for the average teen. This book inspires you to act in your own best interests and make the most out of life.
This book includes a detailed index for looking up whatever topics concern you, as well as a list of other helpful books and websites. How cool is that?
Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls.......2000-10-16
Be True to Yourself : A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls, is a treasure. It is an important and powerful book; a book that every teenage girl should read. Amanda Ford's writing style is simple, honest and very real. You know she is speaking from her heart and from her own experiences. This is a book with integrity. It is one that the reader can open to any page and find inspiration and guidance. Like Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Simple Abundance," Be True to Yourself has a daily message. The book will never become outdated and it can be read day after day. Each page is like a precious gem that shines on its own. There is no gift you can give that will help a girl more during her teenage years than Be True to Yourself. It will become her best friend and companion.
Book Description
The Body Book not only offers accurate up-to-date information on personal issues that pre-teen girls experience, but also shares it from a positive biblical perspective.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!.......2007-07-06
This is a GREAT book! I'd give it 10 stars! It has answered all my questions about becoming a woman. I think it would be good for ages 8-13
Thank you Nancy Rue!
The Body Book is the perfect pre-teen intro to womanhood.......2007-03-16
I found this book to be through and down to earth. It's is written very well. This book is the perfect introduction for the pre-teen girl without older sisters or female cousins to be honest with her. This is also good tool to equip parents with answers the pre-teen may have. With all th worldly influences of today, it's great to have a biblical resource.
A Great Way to Start a Conversation.......2007-02-11
I bought this book for my daughter who was 10 at the time. I read it first and even censored the chapters I didn't think she was ready for. Eventually, she read the whole thing and it opened up a great dialogue between us and allowed her to ask questions about the confusing things. It was a good way for me to approach a "scary" subject and now we talk openly about everything.
My reason for choosing this book is the biblical basis and the focus on God as the creator. I love that it encourages prayer, journalling and time with God during the roller coaster ride that my daughter is getting ready to start. Great book!!
The Body Book.......2007-02-11
I bought this for my 10 year old daughter, it has been a wonderful help. We read it together & talk about what we read.
Excellent book .......2006-03-24
Excellent book that will not dissappoint. I have a daughter who is 9 years old and wanted her to have some insight about the changes her body will be going through in the coming years (months). She read half the book in one setting! Although I have not read the book myself, the few pages that I did read explain it in a clear and easy to understand language for children. The main reason for choosing this book is because God is at the heart of the book. Who better than the Creator himself to explain about our bodies!
Books:
- The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library)
- The Company of Strangers
- The Complete Homeopathy Handbook: Safe and Effective Ways to Treat Fevers, Coughs, Colds and Sore Throats, Childhood Ailments, Food Poisoning, Flu, and a Wide Range of Everyday Complaints
- The Crossroad (Amish Country Crossroads #2)
- The Darkest Hour (Warriors, Book 6)
- The Diet Detective's Count Down: 7500 of Your Favorite Food Counts with Their Exercise Equivalents for Walking, Running, Biking, Swimming, Yoga, and Dance
- The Handbook of Restorative Justice: A Global Perspective (Routledge International Handbooks)
- The King of Lies
- The Last Detective
- The Last Tycoons: The Secret History of Lazard Frères & Co.
Books Index
Books Home
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A Smart Girl's Guide To Sticky Situations: How To Tackle Tricky, Icky Problems And Tough Times. (American Girl (Paperback Unnumbered))
Ready, Set, Grow!: A What's Happening to My Body? Book for Younger Girls
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Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing
