On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow!: A "What's Happening to My Body?" Book for Younger Boys

by Lynda Madaras, Paul Gilligan

Hi. My name is Lynda Madaras. I write books about growing up. I get tons of letters from boys. They tell me just what they’re thinking. They ask questions. Many of the things they say are here in this book. Many of their questions are here, too, along with my answers. So boys like you helped to write this book. In her uniquely warm and funny style, Lynda Madaras wrote this entirely new book especially for younger boys to give them everything they need to know about the new and exciting changes that are happening to their bodies during puberty. Illustrated with fresh and funny cartoons, On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow! is the seventh book in the popular “What’s Happening to My Body?” series of growing-up books for boys and girls. Praised by parents, teachers, nurses, doctors, and especially kids, the bestselling “What’s Happening to My Body?” books for older boys and girls are on the “Best Books for Young Adults” list from the American Library Association and have been translated into 12 languages. Over 2 million copies of the “What’s Happening to My Body?” series are in print.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Childrens, Health

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2008

About the author

Lynda Madaras is the author of eleven books on health, childcare, and parenting, including six from Newmarket Press. Lynda is recognized worldwide by librarians, educators, reviewers, parents, nurses, doctors --- and the kids themselves --- for her unique non-threatening style, excellent organization, and thorough coverage of the experience of adolescence.

For more than twenty years a sex and health education teacher in Pasadena and Santa Monica, California, she has made numerous appearances on Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS, and is quoted often in newspapers and magazines. She lectures frequently to teachers, librarians, nurses, health professionals, and parents' groups.

She lives in California.

Reviews

[Juliana Haught · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because my young son (nine at the time, now just turned ten) was asking questions about puberty (ah, like, "What is puberty?", among other more delicate questions that he was too embarrassed to ask us, but that we discovered on the browser history of the computer...), and so my husband and I decided it was time to get a book that lays out some facts and issues that come up for all boys, but at a level for young readers. I had given a book by the same author to my daughter when she was on the cusp of puberty, so I trusted that this author would have practical, respectful writing for young boys, and she does. My son took this book (given to him casually and confidentially by my husband, as we felt our son would be too embarrassed to have it from his Mama) to his room, and spent a whole morning reading it. Afterward, he seemed more at ease; he did ask some more questions privately to his dad about shaving and other body hair, so I think this book has made him a little more comfortable (with more accurate knowledge) with the topic of just how and when does one change from boy to man, and with things he's heard talked about by other kids at school. The one potential caveat I should mention, for those parents that are squeamish, is that it does address masturbation. I think it's an important subject to address in a matter-of-fact way, but I know there are some parents with strong views against discussing it or normalizing it, so for those parents I thought I should just mention that it is in this book. I imagine in the next year or two, we'll give our son some more books that revisit all the same topics, but for a little bit more mature readers. For now, this book has been just the right amount of information.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book Tyler and I read that explained what was going to happen when he started to have changes with his body. I also bought one for Jocelyn. There are seperate books for boys and girls. Both excellent

[Aerin · Rating 3 out of 5]

"For Younger Boys" still means older than my 8-year-old son; not inappropriate, just a little more than he's able, I don't know, to take in right now? But we got through it together, and I know the early introduction will help at least for him to know he can talk to me.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimed at ages 8-11. Covers a lot of puberty topics in a brief easy-to-read, non-judgmental style, including lots of Q&A from real boys. Does not talk about sex; does discuss masturbation. Does a pretty good job of including a diverse group of boys and people in the illustrations, except at the very end. I definitely plan to check out her books for older kids too.

[Meg Boyko · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mom of a son, I appreciated this book for the basic male puberty info and light tone. It would be helpful to anyone thinking about discussing puberty with a younger boy - either for background and ideas as the adult or to read and discuss together. My notes from a peer mention that it could use more diversity in the drawings and, in a few places, accurate size drawings would be nice (and could be done easily). However, it does touch on a wide range of topics, including nutrition, relationships with parents and bullying, while leaving room for opinions and values from trusted adults. It is certainly a worthy reference for anyone looking for a book for younger (as in pre-teen) boys.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOTES: yes masturbation, no LGBT - although "Some boys will get crushes or romantic feelings." p 113 use nice nongendered language.
"Too often we are told 'just ignore it' when other kids bully us... here are some things you can do" also good - but no mention of bystander intervention or 'don't be the bully'
"Some people don't masturbate because of their religious or moral beliefs. And that's ok too." p 103. Well it's ok, but it's not terribly realistic, and it could cause a lot of internal conflict.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I thought this book took a really great approach to answering kids' questions about puberty. I'm about to read the one for girls. There were a few things I disagreed with, but that's pretty well a given in a secular book about sexuality. If I had a son going through puberty, I would probably recommend this book to him. It's a very easy, very educational read and I think it would help a kid realize that they're normal and what stage of puberty they're in.

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be an absolute must for any parent of a boy! With clear real-world information and great illustrations, boys can see and read what's happening in their confusing time of puberty. A great addition to any library's collection.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice starter book for tweens, it gives enough information but not too much. It's a bit low on things like crushes and sexual attraction, which I think should be included, but otherwise has good information presented in a very straightforward manner. I bought this for my 10 year old.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure if B is ready for this yet, but has good information for when he is ready.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great companion book for my son after finishing "It's So Amazing".

[oplkids · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about puberty - geared toward children in grades 4 - 6.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. The casual tone will appeal to kids and the good info to their parents. Brief enough for tweens who are asking questions without opening up too many vans of worms.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, detailed, easy to read book about puberty for boys. Best read in early stages of puberty.