Product Description

From the award-winning author of the best books on puberty — A completely new book written especially for 8-11-year-old girls, playfully illustrated in an appealing, two-color design.

Young girls before the onset of puberty have a curiosity about their soon-to-be changing bodies that needs addressing in a simpler way than for their older sisters. In the proven, trust-worthy, Madaras-friendly voice and style, this entirely new book now brings them the same kind of thoughtful, down-to-earth information—but at a reading and understanding level that's just right for them.

Responding throughout to real-life questions and observations from younger girls, Madaras explores the strange and thrilling changes that are happening, or about to happen, to them, including: the development of breasts, body hair, and body fat; the changes in their reproductive organs, both inside and out; their first period and all the complex feelings surrounding it; the unwelcome appearance of acne and new body odors; and, perhaps most important, how to respect and celebrate their unique bodies, even when the outside world is not always so accepting.

Lively cartoon drawings throughout make the book not only helpful, but fun to read, too.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16181 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-With girls reaching puberty at younger and younger ages, Ready, Set, Grow! is a timely and important book. In a consistently sensitive and encouraging tone, Madaras reassures preadolescents that the changes they know are approaching or they are beginning to experience are normal, natural, and cause for celebration. Humorous sketches illustrate the emotions and stages of puberty, and keep the tone light. Individual chapters devoted to breast development, body hair, height and weight spurts, body odor and pimples, genitalia, internal reproductive organs, and menstruation gently but thoroughly provide facts and advice on recognizing and welcoming growth and development. The author weaves in a little humor and acknowledges the conflicting emotions that accompany puberty. Quotes and questions from girls she meets in her travels and correspondence are included, giving voice to the uncertainties in a reader's own mind. "What's Up Down There? A Look at Your Private Parts" is a particularly on-target chapter, taking readers on a tour of their own genitalia with the help of a mirror, identifying each part of their sex organs. Madaras's earlier "What's Happening" books, written for older readers, include discussions of romantic feelings and dealing with unwanted sexual attention. Laurie Krasny Brown's What's the Big Secret? Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys (Little, Brown, 1997) takes a humorous approach to explaining intercourse as well as puberty to boys and girls.
Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-5. In her revised edition of The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls (2001), Madaras notes that girls are reaching puberty at a younger age than in the past. In this small, square volume, Madaras offers a spin-off guide directed to the youngest girls who are anticipating or undergoing the body's first changes. Goofy cartoons illustrate the upbeat, reassuring chapters about menstruation, breast development, and the reproductive organs as well as grooming issues, such as skin care, body odor, and shaving. There are medical tips just for the girls in this age group, who, for example, need to treat cramps differently from older young women or adults. The short chapter about sexual harassment is somewhat vague, but it offers solid advice in firm language: "Don't accept excuses like 'Boys will be boys.'" Parents and kids seeking information about sex and birth control will need to consult another guide, but this one is a friendly, accessible introduction to puberty that young girls can read alone, not just with parents. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
A friendly, accessible introduction to puberty that young girls can read alone, not just with parents. -- Booklist, Gillian Engberg, 1 October 2003

Full of advice and a warm, empathetic understanding...Girls will feel like they have a grown-up friend sitting right beside them. -- ForeWord, September/October 2003

Supportive, down-to-earth discussion of what changes occur and why, written in language simple enough to be understood by pubescent girls. -- Publishers Weekly

Customer Reviews

A little too much detail in spots, but overall, good book.
I bought this book for my 9 year old daughter. We read a little bit together, and then I skimmed the book, and she read a bunch on her own. The book is well written for girls in the 9-11 age range - I wouldn't go much below the age of 9, however, without being very selective of what the child reads (there is a brief discussion, for example, about masturbation and orgasm, which I think is a bit *too* much for a book of this level). All in all, I think it explained the changes of puberty in very plain language that a young girl can understand, and it's set up in a way that encourages discussion - although again, sometimes it suggests discussing things with friends, which I find to be a poor recommendation considering the age and topic. I do think my daughter came away with a solid understanding of what puberty is and what physical changes are going to take place.

A great book to get the dialogue going...
I checked out this book from our public library and read it first on my own. The format of the book is several short chapters filled with great information followed by questions submitted by girls, which then the author goes on to answer. The book is written in words that are easy for kids to understand and the illustrations are clever and funny. In the other reviews, I read about concerns with the subject of masturbation. That is found ONLY in a question in the Q & A section of Chapter 7. I personally did not feel comfortable with the topic at our age group so when I BOUGHT our own copy, I just tore page 79-80 out and by doing so I didn't disturb neither the end of Chapter 7 nor the beginning of Chapter 8. Overall, this is a great book to get the conversation started with my daughter (almost 10) that has just started taking the leap from little girl to young lady. I have three daughters and I will use this book with all three. Hope this helps...

What a great help!
I just bought this book for my 8 year old daughter. I was still getting over the shock of my baby starting puberty so early, when I read the reviews of this book. We picked it up last night and read the whole thing. With each chapter, she became more and more interested and even kind of excited. It let her know she was normal, and showed her what will be happening in the future so she won't be so confused. The little cartoons in it were so funny. They helped keep it light. We talked very openly about everything. I am so glad that we got this book. I think it is going to make this whole thing much easier...espcially on me!My baby is growing up! BUY THIS BOOK!