Girl Stuff: A Survival Guide to Growing Up

"One of the weirdest words in the English language is puberty. Not only does it sound funny--pew-berty or pube-hurty--it also makes us feel funny now and then as we are going through it. Not ha-ha funny--although there is that, too--but scared, awkward, sad, wildly-happy-one-minute-and-utterly-miserable-the-next, gorgeous, ugly, kind, mean, goofy, silly, you-name-it funny." With these down-to-earth and wise words, authors Margaret Blackstone and Elissa Haden Guest begin their wonderfully straightforward, useful, friendly book on girl stuff: you know, menstruation, peer pressure, zits, emotional roller coasters, health, and "what you never wanted anyone to know you want to know about sex." Homey tips about getting bloodstains out of underpants (and reassurances that it happens to everyone) and what clothing to wear during your period ("Keep a dark sweatshirt at school to wrap around your waist in case you leak through") are interspersed with information about self-defense methods, suggestions on how to tell when a friend is truly a good friend, reproductive anatomy lessons, and stress-busting activities. Sexual orientation is addressed openly and with a liberal attitude. Quotations and questions from girls add an even more authentic teen essence: "The cool girls are the sun, and I feel like I'm on Venus." Barbara Pollack's amusing drawings get to the heart of the matter, without ever being overbearing. This book is the big sister you always hoped for: reassuring, informative, matter-of-fact, nonjudgmental. (Ages 9 to 15) --Emilie Coulter