Your Body: The Girls' Guide (Girls' Guides)

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!!
Review: Finally a book that speaks honestly about what truly faces young women today. I have three nieces and plan to give them each a copy.

I'm particularly happy that Ms. Brody relates from her own experiences, because the intimacy established provides space in the already over-crowed lives that teens are living these days.

The quiet reflection, positive alternatives, and sections on getting further help make the book even more helpful. She speaks wisely about self-image, peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, health and fitness, and yes, sexuality.

I'm hoping that more parents and teachers throughout the country, and world for that matter, will also read this book as a start-up for a dialogue between them and their children and students.

I highly recommend to teens and adults alike.

Rating:
Summary: May not be appropriate for 9-12 year olds
Review: I bought this book for my niece who is in the recommended 9-12 age group. From the description of the book I expected a guide to dealing with body image issues, grooming, nutrition, and menstruation. Althought it wasn't stated in the description I expected some introductory information on sex. I feel that the material in this book is far too mature for 9-12 year old girls. That is unless you feel that they need to know that anal sex whether between a boy and a girl or two boys requires lubrication " lubricating jelly needs to be used ( as well as a latex condom to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus that causes AIDS)" The author also advises her readers ( 9-12 year-olds) to visit a gynecolgist to get a prescription for birth control, advice on STD prevention and pregnancy options - abortion, adoption, etc. Then the author offers a hotline numbers to call for a free confidential clinic appointment. All of this is very well presented but, I question whether it is appropriate to suggest that 9-12 years olds consider abortion and birth control options by themselves - if at all. The discussion about determining if you are straight, gay or bi-sexual is well done but I question the wisdom of advising young girls to search out websites where they can chat about sex. That is just too dangerous for either girls or boys - let's face it - it's very dangerous for adults, too. The section on alcohol and drug use and resisting peer pressures is good and unfortunately today age 9 is not too young for that information. The sections on self-esteem and body image, nutrition ,resisting abuse,and dealing with emotions are the best parts of the book. My main disappointment with the book is that I feel it was written for an older teen readership - not pre-teen as stated. If you are considering giving it to pre-teen or young teen I would strongly recommend that you read it yourself first.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!!
Review: I wish I had this book when I was a pre-teen!! The writing is clear and informative and speaks to you like a friend would. The sections about health and the body are wonderfully balanced with the sections about health and the mind. A great tour to how girls can best lay claim to their body and spirit in a culture that can pressure them to leave that behind. I have given it to many friends, pre-teen and adult alike and they have all raved about it. It is indispensible to todays growing girls!!

Rating:
Summary: This is a wonderful read that changed my life.
Review: I would recommend this book to all teenage girls (boys alike) who have any questions regarding female/human sexuality. The author speaks in a language which is as friendly and entertaining as it is informative. A perfect gift for that burgeoning daughter or niece.

Rating:
Summary: Great for teens
Review: this book is sooo good it talks about sex diets mind alll that good stuff

Rating:
Summary: This book has TMI (Too Much Information) For Younger Girls!
Review: While this book has its positive points, Dr. Brody goes into much detail about a young girl's sexuality, some inappropriate for younger ages. Consequently, those who hope to protect their children from this subject need to be forewarned.

While it has many good topics of interest, it also covers such topics as: masturbation, male arousal, intercourse, anal intercourse, birth control, pregnancy, abortion, date rape, and oral sex.

When my 9 yo daughter, enticed by the snazzy cover, brought this home from the library, I had NO IDEA this information was inside. It's entirely too much information for a young child this age.

Please be very careful when your daughters bring home books that look innocently like high-level introductions to a girl's sexuality. Please preview them. Otherwise, they may be introduced to subjects they don't need to know about at their young age.