Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #706614 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9–This book has its heart in the right place, but it misses the mark, beginning with the condescending note of its very title. Price seeks to arm boys approaching and experiencing puberty with information that will calm fears and answer questions. He includes detailed drawings and diagrams of male and female anatomy and addresses every topic from sweat to semen, body odor to body image, masturbation to man-boobs. The text is augmented with boys and mens real stories about puberty. However, Price writes–on and on and on–in a chummy tone that intends to invite and befriend, but actually treats readers childishly (Sperm–those tadpole thingies!). The book is full of Aussie-isms (STDs become STIs, and just what is bum fluff?), and the referenced Web sites are mainly Australian. Bright photographs are splashed everywhere; when white type is printed on busy backgrounds, it is difficult to read. Stick with Lynda Madarass tried-and-true The Whats Happening to My Body? Book for Boys (Newmarket, 1991).–Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. Like its companion title, Puberty Girl (2005), by Shushann Movsessian, this Australian import is a frank, reassuring discussion of male adolescence. Chapters on physiology present information clearly, in a colloquial voice that is never stuffy or condescending, and the questions that are asked and answered seem straight from kids: "Why is semen such a blob?" for example. The mechanics of sex aren't addressed, but there is some discussion of STDs and the emotional maturity intimacy requires. The book's unusual holistic approach includes coverage of the emotional changes, independence, and responsibility that come with puberty. There are also excellent suggestions to help boys connect respectfully with girls, find a mentor, develop emotional intelligence, and distinguish between "boy thinking" and "young man thinking." Although the Australian slang may both confuse and amuse readers ("bum fuzz," for example, indicates the soft hair on pubescent boys' faces), the candid quotes from boys and men, and many color photos and diagrams, greatly enhance this welcome title. Too bad the resource list wasn't updated for a U.S. audience. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Customer Reviews

My son loved this book
This book, written by Geoff Price, an Australian author, offers a realistic and detailed description of what happens-both physically and emotionally-to boys at puberty. My 9 1/2 year old son was thrilled to read it and found it was everything but tacky and most helpful. The illustrations are not comically unrealistic: they are subtle and to the point, without being overwhelming. This book is very informational and offers lots of tips. The layout is very modern and pleasing to the eye.
I would describe this as a great book to initiate your child to puberty and the questions that go with it.

Puberty Boy book a great aid to help our son.
I purchased this book as a recommendation from a friend. My sixth grade son will watch a movie, regarding puberty changes, at school this year. He only asks the minimum number of questions and often gets embarassed when I, his mother, explain things. This provides a resource if he is not comfortable with asking all the questions that are embarassing for him.

Don't bother
As a single mother and an educator, I purchased this title for my son and the AMA's guide for myself. Don't bother with Puberty Boy. Although presented in a visually fun format, and containing some excellent information, my son felt this was a "cheesy" book, and lacked the serious tone necessary for him to believe he was getting solid information. He and I both much prefer the AMA's guide.