The "What's Happening to My Body" Book for Girls, Revised Third Edition (What's Happening to My Body?)

"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

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Good but could be better!, 2008-12-29
I was going to buy this for my eleven-year-old niece who recently got her period. It seemed like it had lots of good info. However, it was way too complicated for her age group! The TOC alone would confuse anyone without an adult reading level. The organization is poor. The book is extremely text heavy and reads more like a textbook as far as structure and the sheer amount of information. Also, it was pretty light on diagrams and illustrations, which seem necessary for this kind of material. My niece would never have been able to make it through the whole thing, much less find what she wanted to know!

This might be a great reference for an older teen, but by then it seems like most of them wouldn't need it. Your kid might be interested in this. I preferred It's Perfectly Normal instead though, especially for a preteen.
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Good Book for the Over 10 Crowd, 2008-08-10
I read this book with my just-turned-10 year old, because she was asking me questions that indicated to me that she was ready to learn about how a baby is made, and understand more about her body. We read the first chapter, which gives a very detailed, almost scientific explanation of how a baby is made. I think the chapter was way over her head. She got the basic idea but said there were parts she didn't understand. I felt terrible because this is a difficult concept for anyone to grasp but the book just seemed too complicated for someone her age. I think it's a good book, but my daughter and I agreed to just chat after reading that chapter, and will will read future chapters when she's a little bit older.
As an aside, my husband read my 12-year-old son the boy version of this book, and he seemed to understand and appreciate the explanation. That two extra years makes a big difference.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Great for 11-13 range, 2008-07-07
As a 23-year old woman who read an earlier edition of this book when I was 13, I do remember it being informative and helpful. Now, as an educator, I have since revisted the book and I must agree that, although it is not suited for those under the age of 11, it is certainly more than appropriate for the 11-13 category.

Several readers mentioned the advanced content and graphics within the book and suggested waiting until girls are 16 or so before reading it. I must say, growing up in a strict, religious and well-educated family, as well as living in a fairly well-off, small town and attending private school, I was familiar with 100% of the book's content by the time I was 12 and by the time I was 16, nearly 50% of those around me were already having sex or engaging in other sexual activities. So, although I do agree that 8-10 year-olds should not be reading this book, parents do need to realize that their children will learn ALL of this info by the time they finish 6th grade- there's really no way of getting around it, regardless of what kind of environment you try to raise your children in- and I know my parents tried their best to do just that.

As parents and educators, we must try to be realistic and still strike a balance. I think that girls in the 11-13 category are perfect for this book; no younger, no older.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

A Very Pleased Customer, 2008-06-08
My mother gave this book to me when I was 10 years old and it answered ALL my questions about what my body was going through. It did not offend me, disturb me or make me run out and have sex.
If you want your child to understand the consequenses of having sex too soon or why abstinence is important, YOU should explain it to them. It's one thing to depend on a book to teach your child the anatomy of sex, but the personal feelings, values and expectation of a parent cannot be expressed by someone who doesn't even know your child.
Anyway, if you childs virginity is something you want to presereve, you should willing to talk about it yourself, not rely on a book to do it for you.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Changes, 2008-04-22
This book has been very helpful for me in explaining the changes my daughter's body is currently going through. She has also found it interesting, I thought I would not have to deal with this for another year (she is 9)or so but here it was.

I would would recommend this book to parents of girls entering adolescents.

Very Helpful

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