ON THE CHANGES THAT HIS BODY IS, AND WILL BE MAKING, IN THE COMING YEARS. As the mother of an eight year old son I found that this book answers questions that he has now as well as things that will come up for the next few years. He was not intimidated by the language nor the subject. The format of the book was excellent and written in a very readable way for boys. The drawings were helpful to him as an adjunct to the written discriptions. I also found that the health aspects were much more stressed than the "sexual" aspects. I appreciate this very much as I feel that this has been neglected in some of the prior books for maturing boys. I am glad that there is a book such as this that i can give to my son with confidance.

I bought the third edition of this book hoping it would be something my ten year old son could refer to if he has questions he is embarassed to talk about. The book is very factual without being overly clinical, but some of the topics discussed at lenght are more suited for older teens. The exhaustive list of slang names for male and female body parts really isn't necessary -- adolescent boys seem to do well in that department all by themselves! I also feel that the chapter "Girls and Puberty" has far more detail than a pre-teen boy needs or can handle. The book would be much better if it were presented in a loose-leaf format so I could give my son the sections he is able to handle at his age. I also wonder why the author has removed chapters on the important topics of birth control and STD's, which she says were in her previous edition. The book will certainly help me in my talks with my son, but I'm still looking for the right book for him to read on his own.

Ms. Madaras does a pretty good job talking about the changes that boys go through during puberty. I think this book is good for pre teens and their parents. I also like her idea of introducing the topics of AIDS and STD's to this group. But the book does not serve older adolescents as well--the age group of 12-21. I know of a book by the Goldsteins--"Boys into Men: Staying Healthy Through the Teen Years" that is non judgemental, thoughtful and sensitive to the issues of adolescent boys. Dr. Goldstein is a physician who specializes in the care of adolescents. The Goldstein book goes into detail not only on growth and development, puberty, sexuality and nutrition, but also it addresses sensitive issues including behavior, mental and emotional health issues, gay adolescents, chronic conditions, understanding and taking charge of a teen's health care and many other issues. The book is really informative on sports medicine, outdoor issues and travel medical issues. The Goldstein book for the older adolescent, and the Madaras book for the preteen are a knockout combination in my view.

He said it explained a lot about some things he just didn't feel like asking me or his father about. I am glad I got it for him. He feels much more comfortable with his pre-teen body now.

I have to agree somewhat (not completely) with one of the reviewers... This book is not well suited for girls who are nine or ten (my daughter is nine and a half). It's got a lot of good information, but some of the illustrations are too graphic (my daughter found the ones of male genitalia very disturbing, and she is not immature for her age). The age span on this book should be adjusted upwards to more like 12 and up, not 9 to 13.

That being said, this book covers a lot of ground, and for the most part does so well. It has a lot of important information found in books of this type: stages of puberty, signs to look for, the female reproductive cycle, bras, getting one's period, and so on. All these things are presented clearly, although again, I feel they're geared more towards older girls, rather than pre-teens.

All in all this is an ok book, but not excellent, and is not appropriate for the age range it's listed for. Buy this book for a 12 year-old or up, but don't push the envelope with younger girls, they don't need the pressure that such graphically displayed information provides, which can overwhelm them.

I purchased this book and read it cover to cover before giving it to my 10.5 year old daughter. I found it to be very direct, clear, and comprehensive. It has many drawings which are informative but not salacious. It is reassuring throughout on many topics and encourages a girl to seek help from parents or other trusted adults. The authors focus on common issues but offer hints of many complex problems with further contacts for those points. What I appreciated most was that this new edition was directed in particular to younger girls and their curiosity and fears about the changes coming to them, and the author said she removed or reduced her chapters (from earlier editions) about actual sexual issues. There are practical discussions about what we used to call 'feminine hygeine products' that I know will be helpful.

I was given a early copy of this book when I was 8 years old by my mother, a registered nurse. She read the book before she gave it to me, cover to cover, and though it was very striaght forward, was not biased by politcs or religion, and told facts, straight up. So she gave it to me. I am now 22 and I thank my mother *so* much for having the insight to provide me with this book (when my brother was the same age she got him the "boys" book). That book helped me thru my pre-teen and teenage years so very much. I never has to ask the kids at school about stuff, I already knew it! Mom's gesture of giving it to me also let me know that, if I had a question the book didnt answer, I could just ask her cause she was not afraid to talk about it. That helped quell the nervousness that a kid feels on this topic.

I highly suggest this book to all parents of girls and the boys book to the boys. It was a great addition for easing the transition for me.

This was a wonderful. The bit about the horses running in the field of corn was my favourite! Sammy the Lamb was my best character. I hated snoopy the snoop, though.

I am 11 years old and I am not afraid of Puberty anymore! Now that I have read this book and completed the activities, I feel great! All girls that feel puberty is a drag, or if you just need to know more, get this book! I give it a perfect 10 for outstanding achevement by the excellent author duo.

I bought this workbook for my 11 year old daughter without the companion "What's Happening to my Body" book. The book is easy for a young girl to understand, interspersing medical terminology with common slang (nothing crude) and it is illustrated with lots of line drawings. It is extremely comprehensive, taking what is commonly taught about puberty one step further.

My daughter really enjoyed the activities in the book, from researching the 'female' history of the family to developing new family traditions. Due to that particular exercise I now have to celebrate 'first periods' by taking my girls out to dinner when the moon is full !!! I highly recommend this book.