Growing Up: It's a Girl Thing: Straight Talk about First Bras, First Periods, and Your Changing Body

I was hoping to give this book to my 9-year old daughter to read, but decided to hold back on it... It's not really what I wanted. I was hoping for something that would explain puberty in a clear, comprehensive and sequential way, with illustrations, but this isn't that book. It has some good information, but is a bit abstract and the content doesn't flow as well as I would like. For example, it gives a definition of puberty (talks about changes), but it doesn't explain what the main reason for puberty is (body becoming an adult's body etc). From that definition, it then highlights 3 main signs of puberty (breast growth, body odor, hair growth, but doesn't even touchy on some of the other signs (like hips widening, interest in the opposite sex etc), so the reader could be left thinking that puberty is those 3 signs mentioned earlier. The book then goes into a whole chapter about breast growth and choosing a bra. There are also chapters about menstruation and two chapters on pads and tampons, respectively etc. I felt that the chapter on tampons could've been left out (pads and tampons could've been covered in the same chapter), and that other information on puberty could've been covered instead, such as emotional changes. This book focuses on physical changes but there is little to no information on emotional changes, such as feeling moody rebellious, or 'liking boys'. (I also think that the book could've been enhanced if it touched on some of the changes boys go through, as well). Some more illustrations in the book would've been nice too, and I agree with many reviewers that the first chapter could've been left out (In other chapters, the book sometimes switches from her 'past' voice - as in when she was a little girl, to her 'present' voice -writing as a woman- which I think could be confusing to young readers.There are parts of the book that I like -such as the chapter on reproductive organs. I also liked that it mentioned sexual intercourse briefly and in a very appropriate way. There is also information on body safety, which is great. The tonbe of it is nice and friendly. Overall, though, the book is not as comprehensive and clear as I would've have liked. I"m going to hold off on it for a few months and buy something else for my 9-year old.It's disappointing that it's so hard to find a decent puberty book. I bough the "It's Not the Stork!" one which has good info too, but focuses a lot on pregnancy/birth which is not what I want right now.. Sigh... now this one. On to my 3rd purchase now and I hope the next one fits the bill.

I highly recommend this book to all moms to get for their daughters! It's one thing for a parent to explain a changing body to a young girl and make them feel embarassed, this book did the total opposite! She was very excited about this book and even though I had to been talking to her about changes, this book made her ask me more questions and have a dialogue with her. My co-worker had recommended this book and brought it in for me to see before purchasing. I had told her that I found the American Girl version of this book to be extremely graphic and she agreed and told me that that was the reason why she bought "Growing Up: It's A Girl Thing" for her daughter! It was the best thing I got for my child! She's already read it twice.I highly recommend this book to all moms and dads and guardians to purchase if they don't feel comfortable speaking to their daughters about the changing body, like my mother was. She never spoke to me about what was happening except for keep your legs closed now that you have your period so you don't get pregnant! Wow, thanks! Horrible advise and it left me scarred for life cause that's not the way to speak to a young girl who's turning into a teen and going through so many changes in school and life!So thank you Mavis Jukes for writing this beautiful book that I found enlightening and it brought back childhood memories of growing up and my aunts taking the time to explain things to me! Best book ever!!!! My daughter wants the second book to this one and in time she'll get it!

I must say I was quite intimidated by the thought of trying to find a book with a nice balance of relevant yet age appropriate information for our 10 yr old daughter. I am happy to say that this book is an excellent source of both. Our daughter is a "young" 10 yr old and by that I mean, she is a little immature (not in a derogatory sense, but in a childlike sense), but she is most definitely showing physical signs having entered the puberty stage. I felt that she needed information that would be relevant but not overwhelming, and so I was hoping for a book that would not present too much sexual activity information (as I think she is just not ready for that). I think that this book did a good job of lightly discussing it without overly graphic & overwhelming information. I read the entire book first (doesn't take too long) and then casually/privately offered it to her to read at her leisure. The main interest in the book for us was the section covering the period and accompanying items (pads, tampons, etc.), and I think the book did a great job covering that subject. I also bought her some items so she could have hands-on time with them and that worked out very well for her comfort and confidence level. At first our daughter denied much interest in reading the book, but the first chance she got (after the offer & my departure) she read part of it, then soon after read it all and then read it again, which she told me during our "chats" about it. And so, for our daughter, I feel this book was the perfect start on our journey to survive her puberty together. :)

I loved the way this book approached coming of age questions. It followed what I thought was an excellent sequence of events. It gave scenarios and solutions. It was almost healing for myself to review as an adult. I come from a time and age where menses wasn't discussed openly. To say the least , the approach wasn't helpful during adolescent development and it is a mistake I didn't want to repeat with my daughter. That being said, I also didn't have the language because I hadn't experienced a positive and helpful conversation myself! This book was amazing.... 2birds with one stone. Thank you to the author.

Bought this for my daughter, not what i was expecting.The book is not an explanation but a story of general things instead of specifically growing up.

Explaining answers

My 10 year old is enjoying this book. Explaining subjects that she wouldn't really want to ask her mum. Would recommend.

Great book for young girls, bought this for my 9 year old daughter. Very informative

Perfect thanks