
Getting my teenage daughter to talk about the intimate details of her life can be a frustrating experience for me. She is by nature a shy and quiet person, and although I try to come across as non-judgmental and considerate as I can, I am often left frustrated by my perceived lack of success. I am not sure if this a common experience with others who have girls of this age, and I often wonder if I am alone in my struggle. I always wanted to make sure that when my daughter reached this age, I would be able to provide better support and understanding than my own mother did. Her answer to everything that had to do with sex and development was silence. I learned most of my facts through friends and at school during those crazily uncomfortable human growth and development classes. Needless to say, I was often very misinformed about most things. I wish I had had a book like this back then, but I am also really glad that I have the opportunity to share this one with my daughter now.
This is not really the type of book you read cover to cover. It is more the type of book to be used as a resource and go-to when you have a nagging question that just can't wait for a doctor's visit or a talk with mom. It covers a wealth of subjects and does so in a very detailed yet clear style. Often chapters end with colored boxes containing the more pertinent facts of the material just read. It also contains several sections where some of the myths of puberty and sexuality are debunked and tips on when to call a doctor. I was really surprised to find out how comprehensive this book actually was. There were some things in there that I had never even dreamed would be included, like how to respond to and what can cause a genital injury and some of the scary things that can happen if a piercing does not go as expected. I really liked the way the book was structured and the way that every topic got a full rundown, and thought that the style of the book would appeal to the younger crowd.
I also liked the way that Dr. Ashton relates to her readers throughout the book. She is very respectful and relevant without resorting to the coyness and cuteness that many books like this one seem to suffer from. The effect of this is that she comes off as very disarming and knowledgeable while not being boring and repetitive. She doesn't try to talk like an overgrown teenager but she manages to speak the language of teenagers very well. Dr. Ashton's candor was one of the best things about the book. The book isn't on a mission to be cool and hip, but it ultimately manages to do so without really trying.
I think this book is definitely a must have for those of you who have a teenage girl in your life. Even if your teenager is very communicative about things of this nature, there are enough questions and answers between these pages to keep them busily flipping through the book and discovering more and more about their ever-changing bodies. I think this book is a wonderful resource. In today's society, ignorance about one's sexual and developmental health are things that could have long lasting and devastating effects. I applaud Dr. Ashton's willingness to write this book that will help young girls discover the secrets of their bodies, and I highly recommend it.

I read this book as part of a TLC Book Tour. Please visit these other sites for the continuation of this tour:
- Friday, January 29th: A Novel Menagerie
This book was provided as a complimentary review copy.
6 comments:
Excellent review, Zibilee!
This book is filled with useful information; The Body Scoop for Girls is an important resource for your daughter, my daughters, and young women everywhere.
I agree with everything you said here. It is a wonderful book...one I wish I had when I was growing up! I feel your pain in the communication department. Mine, at times, can be a little chatterbox and will ask lots of questions. Other times she won't even look at me, let alone talk to me. Such is a teenager and their hormones I guess.
Great review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book. A book like this that came off coy and cute would turn a lot of teenagers off, I bet, so I'm glad to hear it's not that way.
Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into reading and reviewing Body Scoop. We really appreciate it!
Great review, Heather! Totally not the sort of book I would ever picture you reading, but I can see from your review why you did so, and I'm glad it came in use for you!
This does sound like a wonderful book!
I need this book, just not any time soon! It sounds so wonderful. I will have to check and see if they do another edition once Claire is older.
Post a Comment