Boying Up

by Mayim Bialik (Author, Narrator)

4 Hours and 21 Minutes

Mayim Bialik, star of The Big Bang Theory and author of the #1 bestseller Girling Up, puts her Ph.D. to work to talk to teen boys about the science and pressures of growing up male in today's world. A must-have book for all teenage boys!

Why does my voice crack like that? What should I eat to build muscle? How do I talk to someone I have a crush on? What do I do if someone calls me names or bullies me?

Growing from a boy to a man is no easy task. Bodies are changing, social circles are evolving, hair is appearing in places it never was before -- and on top of it all, there's the ever-present pressure to conform to the typical idea of what it means to be "manly" and masculine. But it's easier to do if you're armed with facts.

Using personal anecdotes as an overly observant mother of two boys and plenty of scientific information from her life as a neuroscientist, Mayim Bialik, PhD, star of The Big Bang Theory, talks directly to teen boys about what it means to grow from a boy to a man biologically, psychologically, and sociologically. Using the same cool, fun, and friendly tone that she took in Girling Up, Mayim takes boys--and their parents!--through the challenges and triumphs of Boying Up today.

In six sections (How Boys Bodies Work; How Boys Grow; How Boys Learn; How Boys Cope; How Boys Love; and How Boys Make a Difference), she takes a look at what it means for boys to come of age in today's world, how can they take control of their paths, and what can they do to help shape the types of futures they want for themselves.

Praise for Boying Up

"A matter-of-fact mirror that reflects reality and respect, not bewildered embarrassment." --Kirkus Reviews

"Boying Up hits all the hot spots and should be included in tween and teen library collections." --VOYA

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Psychology, Family, Coming Of Age

Audio CD

First published May 8, 2018

About the author

Mayim Bialik is best known as Amy Farrah Fowler on America’s #1 comedy, The Big Bang Theory, a role for which she has received four Emmy nominations and a Critics’ Choice Award. She also starred in the early-1990s sitcom Blossom. Mayim earned a BS from UCLA in Neuroscience and Hebrew and Jewish studies, and went on to earn a PhD from UCLA in Neuroscience. She is the author of Beyond the Sling and Mayim’s Vegan Table.

Mayim founded GrokNation.com in 2015 as a platform for sharing her writing on everything from religious observance to women’s issues to politics to maintaining modesty in Hollywood. She seeks to present herself as a normal, imperfect mom trying to make everything run smoothly in a world that often feels out of her control. Mayim lives in Los Angeles with her strong, smart, spectacular sons.

You can visit Mayim Bialik at groknation.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @MissMayim. Watch her videos at youtube.com/mayimbialik.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Experience: I started reading Boying Up on 6/8/18 and finished it on 8/29/18. (It’s silly that it took me this long to read because I have a problem with reading one book but wanting to read another book, so this book got put on hold. There’s nothing against this book. I will definitely read this book again!) This book is an excellent read! I love children’s nonfiction for the very reason that it’s written in an easy to read & easy to comprehend style. It dumbs down with the vocabularies of everyday words that we are familiar with. It has illustrations to give us a visual on what is being discussed. I like the organization of this book with illustrations, boxes, and pictures instead of it being all wordy. I like how the author relates herself and her family in this book. It makes the read more of a memoir rather than a self-help book. I like the author’s clear explanation regarding friends with bad influences versus good influences.

This book’s audience is aim towards boys and young men. Boys will learn about how their body changes as they grow up and how to utilize the time they have. The author recommends that boys should be hands on and do more physical and mental activities instead of watching TV. She relates herself as being very active with musical instruments like playing the piano and the harp as well as being hands on in arts & crafts like learning how to sew from her mom. Readers will also learn to differentiate between good friends and not so good friends. This book will also cover how to be smart about dating, the feelings boys get when they like someone, and to understand about intimacy. Any parents who feel embarrassed about discussing with their sons about sex and pregnancy, this book has it cover too. There’s a chapter on dealing with stress that will be helpful to readers.

Boying Up is very well written and presented. Reading this book reminds me to drink more water and eat better. It lists the consequences with drinking less water and it shocks me how many of them I’m currently suffering. I like the reminder about external influences. I like tips about eating and schooling. My son likes learning about the voice box. I like the fun chapter on dating and the explanation on how it feels to crush on someone. I like the author’s advices on education and men who made history. This book is very positive and it gears toward preparing boys to grow into a happy and successful life. I would highly recommend all teens to read this book! There are so many excellent advices I love learning and I just couldn’t list them all on my review.

Pro: easy to read, useful tips, fast paced, page turner, illustrations, personal experiences, humor,

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details

[Tina Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I'm obviously not a boy but I read Bialik's Girling Up and enjoyed it. And the fact that she is a woman and also wrote this book for boys is something I found so interesting that I had to read this book too. Plus I was also curious. Because reading a book marketed to boys from a girl perspective is just interesting. (I realize that sentence doesn't make any sense. So. Sorry.)

Anyway, I honestly didn't like this one as much as I liked Girling Up. I think the science behind this was great but the rest of this was written more educating boys from a girl perspective. The thing that made Girling Up so wonderful and relatable was that it was written by a woman (who has already experienced everything she is talking about) and is explaining it to younger girls and basically making it okay and not scary.

Boying Up was written by a woman explaining boy things from a woman's perspective. So while I appreciate what Bialik was doing here, I kind of feel like she shouldn't have written this book. I think this would've been better if she'd partnered with a male writer to write in the style that she wrote Girling Up and then she just consulted on the science or something like that. Because I related to a lot in this book as a girl. Because it was written as a girl perspective. And I don't think that should've happened. Just adding in "that's what he said" sections every once in a while doesn't give this book the same relatable magic of Girling Up.

Honestly, what this book came across, to me, as being was a book written by a single mother trying her best to teach her sons. It came off as a little preachy in places (which on some points was good but since this was written by a woman, it didn't seem relatable).

But, the problem with a woman writing this book is the same problem as a woman reading this book and trying to review it. I'm not a boy and so I will never truly be able to relate to this book. I wish I would've had time to have my boyfriend read this book and then tell me if it was actually relatable as a boy. Because while I gave him the highlights and he agreed with my opinions, there's a difference between actually reading it yourself and relating to it and hearing about it from my perspective. So I would be really interested to hear a boy's perspective about this book and whether or not it would be a good, relatable teaching tool for children.

So I think the science behind this book is great and this book is a good idea, in theory. But I honestly don't think Bialik should've written this book. Purely because the magic of Girling Up just couldn't be repeated here. Girling Up, though, is wonderful and I'm glad Bialik wrote it and I think it is such a great teaching tool and all girls should read it.

I just don't know about this one. I struggled with it. But I think that could just be because I'm the wrong audience. I would definitely be interested in hearing from a boy about his honest opinion of this book. I think that would be a much better review.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version, and I also borrowed the book from my local library.

I cannot express how much I love the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory and its cast. Penny, Leonard and Amy are just too adorable and mesmerising as, of course, is the entire cast that there is this craving and need to watch them on screen at least an hour or two each night, nothing better than a feel-good series to finish off the night. Just adore those, fun, smart, geeky, out of this world, top-notch characters.

So when I saw a familiar face and name as I was scrolling through the audiobooks on the Borrowbox app I was tickled pink and I clicked borrow immediately - intrigued to see what Boying Up was about and to hear Mayim Bialik’s voice other than on Big Bang was wonderful. A fabulous reader, author and down-to-earth likeable person.

I just love it when I spot an actress or actor who has penned a book and the to find they have written multiple books, Mayim Bialik is one such actress who has four non fiction books now under her belt and she also has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience so not only is she a smart cookie on Big Bang but also in real life.

Even at my age I found Boying Up to be interesting, insightful and informative. This book is excellent for teen boys who might not feel comfortable talking to a parent about the topics it addresses but it’s a great start that perhaps might give the teen boy courage for when they are ready to speak to an adult.

I’m a tad obsessed about owning books written by an actress or actor therefore to add to my collection I will be buying Boying Up and Mayim Bialik’s other two books - Girling Up and Mayim’s Vegan Table, and just because…well, just ‘cause I adore Amy Farrah Fowler.

A must-read for boys aged 12 and up. The book is wonderful but I absolutely recommend the audiobook.

Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020: #6 - A book about or by a woman in STEM

[Papá Lector · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si tuviera que describir este libro en dos palabras seria, información + consejos, así es, mucha información y muchos consejos, consejos de una neurocientífica pero que además en madre de dos hijos varones, uno de ellos entrando a la pubertad en el momento en el que escribía este libro, por lo que no solo vamos a encontrar datos interesantes sobre el ADN, los cromosomas y todos aquellos factores fisiológicos y químicos que determinan el crecimiento y los cambios que los hombres sufrimos durante la adolescencia mientras damos el brinco de niños a hombres, sino que además nos comparte algunas de sus experiencias, incluso de cuando ella misma atravesó por esta etapa de su vida.

Soy papá de un niño (ya no tan niño) de 11 años, y tanto mi esposa como yo estamos conscientes de que está entrando a la adolescencia, esa etapa tan sufrida por la gran mayoría cuando llegamos a ella y tan temida para también la gran mayoría de padres y madres, sobre todo porque no sabemos a ciencia cierta cómo nos tocara vivir esa etapa, puede que pase de forma ligera, pero existe la posibilidad de que sea una etapa muy difícil y quienes somos conscientes de lo critico y

El libro inicia tocando los temas más comunes cuando de la adolescencia se habla, por supuesto que habla de los cambios físicos y emocionales que los niños experimentan al crecer, si habla del aparato reproductor masculino y femenino, de las relaciones sexuales, de la atracción hacia otra persona, de métodos anticonceptivos, embarazo y masturbación, pero no como si de un libro de texto se tratase, sino que este además de una guía intenta ser una especie de consejero personal, por la forma en como la autora lo escribió da la sensación de que una persona cercana te está hablando, por lo que sentirás que es alguien de confianza quien te lo está explicando, pero me resultó interesante que va mas allá y lo que enriquece a este libro son los demás temas que incluye y que para ser francos no me había tocado ver que alguien considerara abordarlos con los adolescentes.

Como crees, en este apartado narra lo importante que es guardar una buena alimentación y una buena hidratación, después de todo el saber es poder, ¿cierto?, siento que apuesta a que los adolescentes sepan sobre esto y puedan motivarse a tomar sus propias decisiones sobre su alimentación, sobre todo en temas como adoptar una dieta vegetariana o vegana, algo que está muy de moda entre los jóvenes.

Otro de los temas que más me llamó la atención que la autora incluyera en el libro es el titulado "Como sales adelante", en este capítulo o apartado la autora va más profundo en las cuestiones emocionales que derivan de dejar de ser niño y convertirte en hombre, habla del estrés emocional que este cambio trae implícito, que se siente y como se siente, y lo mejor, como hacerle frente, como avanzar y superarlo, para mi este es el capítulo más importante de todo el libro, toca emociones muy complejas y que su correcto manejo durante esta etapa pueden marcar la diferencia entre transitar por este cambio de forma exitosa o que se convierta en todo un fracaso y dolor de cabeza. Nos habla sobre la tristeza, la depresión, el enojo y la ansiedad, nuevamente incluye consejos muy importantes, incluso nos comparte lo que ella hace para lidiar con el stress y la ansiedad, le dice a los jóvenes que el ejercicio, la meditación y la terapia han sido herramientas que a ella le han ayudado mucho, y para que toda esta información cobre aún más sentido y se sienta más real le comparte a los niños y jóvenes algunas experiencias complicadas de su propia vida, como su divorcio, un accidente de tránsito y la pérdida de su papá.

Por ultimo e igual de importante hace que todos los datos y consejos contenidos en el libro trasciendan y agrega un último capítulo un capitulo con título, Cómo aportas, y básicamente es buscar en los adolescentes crear cierta conciencia de que su vida tiene un impacto en la vida de otros y en su entorno, y que depende de ellos, de sus decisiones y de su actuar si ese impacto es positivo o negativo, y lo hace nuevamente de una forma tan familiar y de confianza que estoy seguro podrá generar cierta reflexión en los jóvenes lectores.

Muy pronto dejare este libro en manos de mi hijo mayor y estaré muy atento a sus reacciones y comentarios, pero sé que cualquier ayuda bien orientada y documentada siempre es bienvenida y útil, por lo que confió que el libro sea una herramienta más de las que estaremos poniendo en práctica para ayudar a mi hijo a vivir esta etapa de la mejor forma.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE book to give to boys just before they begin puberty. Mayim Bialik uses her background as a PhD to explain what happens to boys as they go through puberty. The book strikes the perfect balance between offering personal anecdotes (of her life and what her sons have gone through) and scientific facts (neurological and endocrinological) in this guide to navigating those crucial years when so many biological changes are taking change.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked out the audio version of this book (narrated by the author) in the hopes that my middle schooler would listen along with me. However, he refused. It was still useful for me to listen to Boying Up to help me better understand male puberty and respond to my son's questions. I enjoyed this book as a parent. I am not sure how boys will respond to Dr. Bialik. Perhaps a male author would have more cred in the minds of boys.
I would like to peek at the print version. I think my son would be more engaged if the book contains illustrations (I hope it does!) and a printed book would be easier to skip around. Sections of the book will be more or less relevant to a given boy, depending on their maturity level, so I think a print version would be preferable to audio which is not conducive to skipping around.
I found the author very knowledgeable and adept at explaining scientific concepts in simple terms. I enjoyed her matter-of-fact narration. Bialik is open-minded and reminds boys that new experiences associated with puberty that may seem scary or gross are really OK and normal. I would definitely recommend this read to parents who did not experience male puberty themselves or want to bone up (ha ha)on facts. I'm not sure if this book will resonate with teen boys or not, but again I think the print version would be preferable. I consider Judy Blume to be the authority on making puberty less scary.

[David Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the concept here. I am a fan of the author's work as an actress and have always found her personal story intriguing. She uses her PhD in neuroscience to write a book for boys about becoming men (she had previously written a similar coming of age book for girls). She does a nice job trying to explain the science of what goes on in the bodies of young people as they mature while keeping it t a level that can be understood. The biggest weakness for me was that at times, the age appropriateness of the content seemed to change. Different parts of the book seemed to be meant for different age groups (from prepubescent boys to students almost out of high school). This could have worked if it was written specifically for that, but this popped up sporadically throughout the book and made me wonder if there was a more specific age group she had in mind.

[Nathan Schumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book, even at the age of 20 I have always been a late bloomer in just about every area of life, and probably always will be; so everything Mayim talks about is relevant, I feel, for all ages even though I’m guessing her audience is aimed for 10-21 years old. Would recommend to everyone who needs a wise voice to understand why we do what we do as boys and girls.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars✨

[Jackie Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to help me help the boys in my life. I want to reread it with my boys as they enter the boying up phase of life.

[Sheyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical advice for teenagers told through anecdotes in a fun way.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book, with wonderful information for boys boying up, (tweens teens), the tricky part is getting boys to listen to, read it. I think the information would be great as youtube videos and maybe if presented by boys, men, honestly. I think it's worth a listen for parents or teachers of this age boys to give ideas of topics and ways to cover sensitive subjects. Thank you Dr. Bialik for sharing your expertise.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as a parent, hoping to understand a bit more about, well, boys. I thought the book was well-written but was disappointed by its preachy tone. I'm also just not sure who it's for. I could see the chapters on puberty being a useful resource for boys who are uncomfortable talking to their parents, if they were growing up in the early 90s without internet. Otherwise... I'm just not sure. I would have liked to see more depth in the other chapters, particularly the ones about friendships, dating and what to do after high school. It would also have been nice to see a chapter about the changing relationships between boys and their parents as they grow up. There was a nice section on consent, but almost no attention was paid to bullying or sexual identity. Overall, the book was like your goody-goody friend in middle school - means well but doesn't have much of value to contribute.

[Joni McNeal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it would have been better if she had written it as a letter to her sons, but what do I know.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was SO disappointed in this book and how ciscentric and heterosexist it was.

Admittedly I probably had high expectations. Bialik is a well-known scientist as well as being known for being someone for whom positive values seemed to matter. So when early in the book she tells the reader, ostensibly a boy, that they were made from the sperm of their dad and the egg of their mom, I was a bit dismayed. Not only isn’t this a scientific way to frame one’s own conception, but it leaves a whole lot of people out. This was just one early example that gave me pause.

Later, she actually tells boys that:

Sex is the way to make a baby
Sex is when an erect penis moves back and forth in a vagina

These were not examples, or one aspect, but these were her definitions.

And with just a couple of brief bones I found thrown, she spends the whole book exclusively referring to cisgender heterosexual boys and their attraction for cisgender heterosexual girls, but without using any of those words so that she is sure to convey that only cisgender heterosexual boys exist and/or matter.

But don’t worry, she shares the Trevor project number when talking about depression so the Queer boys reading will know where to call if being made uterley invisible and nonexistent gets them down.

She does make it a point to champion those who don’t limit themselves to gender stereotypes, but also states that “all over the world, overwhelmingly so,” stereotypes of boys and girls tend to be true. So while she extends kindness to those who don’t follow them (and she includes herself in that group) she definitely reinforces the idea that they will be very alone.

I had been excited for my son to read this book, which he actually did before I did. In the end I found I wanted to debrief with him and make sure he didn’t take the book to heart.

I’m just so disappointed.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: I received Boying Up from the publisher, the below is my honest review. I have been a big fan of Mayim's Youtube channel for some time, I love the realistic parenting tips she gives, so when I was given the opportunity to read Boying Up I was thrilled. Right off the bat this book takes on a great conversational and light tone that really allows for her voice to come through. The tone of the book also makes it not seem like a nagging "you should do this, not this" that makes teens tune out. It has a lot of great information from body changes, to learning methods and emotional changes and coping methods. Munchkin is not too many years off from this phase of his life and this will definitely be a book that will be waiting for him to read. As a mom, it was a very helpful book to read, to get a little insight into what challenges he may face and how we can approach them together. I think what might be the best part of Boying Up is that it doesn't present a strict guys guy picture of becoming a man, there was a lot of representation and openness in the different ways boys might be as they grow into adulthood.

[Riya Joseph Kaithavanathara · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There is a lot of pressure in our culture for men to be a lot of different things at once. Men are told to be strong—but not too strong; to be sensitive—but not too sensitive; to work hard—but not too hard; to play hard—but not too hard. It can be confusing to figure out how exactly to be and what matters most."


BOOK : Boying Up : How to be Brave, Bold and Brilliant
AUTHOR: @missmayim
GENRE: #youngadultnonfiction
RATING: 4.6 👦


Boying up, is a very interesting and informative book on the process of growth from tween to teen. The process of akward self encounters, learning about yourself and about being yourself. It is also a journey of bettering yourself to accomodate everyone around you, to be kind instead of being mean, to be understanding instead of being selfish and moreover being progressive instead of staying stagnant. And how cab we ever forget the opposite sex? Boying up is also about knowing about female and their body. To understand the biological and emotional transformation in the light of science and humanity. #suggested to all young boys, teenagers, and especially their parents!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really nicely written book explaining to boys (in a non-preachery way) about their bodies, the changes in their emotions, etc. as they grow up--or boy up, as she calls it. She presents the neurobiological basis for these differences, in a very clear way. There were a couple minor points that I wish had been presented a bit differently (i.e. I wish abstinence had been pushed more for middle school sex!), but on the plus side she does address how the media treats sex more casually than it should. Overall the tone was very much one of feelings--whatever they are--being normal, and how we all have wide variations and to appreciate the uniqueness of each person. I also appreciated that she put in resources for kids who may be experiencing eating disorders, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Now for the true test: will my boys willingly read this book? I'm hoping that because they love Amy Farrah Fowler (and there are references to the show in the book!), maybe they will! And if we're really lucky, maybe it will open up discussion.

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boying Up – Written and read by Mayim Bialik – a rewrite of Bialik’s wonderful Girling Up focusing on boys still has the same wonderful information and advice. Following the same format, she discusses the biological and emotional topics of: How our Bodies Work, How We Grow, How We Learn, How We Love, How We Cope, and How We Matter. Honest and nonpartisan Bialik reassures readers what’s normal and often refers readers to parents, doctors or other trusted adults on issues where readers need adult assistance. The importance of health, good choices, strong friendships and more which create good character and brilliant boys are the underlying caveats. While Bialik fully admits she is not male disclosing the view she is approaching the book with and includes anonymous “That’s What He Said” segments, some male readers may not be able to accept the lack of male authenticity. A must have for all middle school libraries.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a father of three boys ranging from 8 to 12 years old, I wanted to see if this book would be a worthwhile addition to the family library. Having read the book, I'm not sure it adds anything to the discussions I've already had with my kids (especially the oldest). It's more informative than insightful, but based on the book's subtitle—"How to Be Brave, Bold and Brilliant"—I had expected (or at least hoped for) more of the latter. Much of the content is commonsensical: if you want to succeed in school and learn a lot, don't cut class too often and be attentive to and organized with your assignments. You get the idea. I realize the book is aimed first and foremost at a youthful demographic, one to which I do not belong. But even on that account, I don't expect the writing, as approachable as it is, to be especially resonant with children.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty accessible resource for budding teenagers. The author does a good job breaking down complex concepts and the science behind them. I appreciate that, although this book is aimed at males, she doesn’t ignore nor does she ‘other’ females. After all, women *are* half the population so I feel it’s beneficial to have some understanding of them.

My one complaint is that the book mostly reflects conventional views on relationships and gender identity but I suspect that’s a combination of the author’s personal values and the publication date. To be clear—the author wasn’t negative about it but it was a noticeable absence, especially compared to other books I’ve read. I am, however, still planning to give my children access should they desire to read it.

3.5/5 stars.

[Theacrob]

Because I didn’t read the description or even really think a out the title, I assumed this book was going to be about toxic masculinity - it’s not. I laughed when I realized how stupid that mistake is.

This is a book for adolescent boys to understand The Changes. I read it anyway as I’ve never read a book like that before— I’m not sure I even read one for girls when I was at that age. I do remember reading instructions that come on that tiny super folded up paper in tampon boxes and thinking WHAT in the WHERE and then everything is dark. Luckily books like this exist for the next generation.

[JaNel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started at Chapter 3, reading with Leo

... wouldn't want kids to read it without my own input and debriefing.
She has a pretty conservative, unreliable, and irresponsible point of view about gender roles especially and straight-up supports society-encouraged stereotypes and calls it scientifically based...
p. 74 " all over the world, overwhelmingly so, boys tend to be less emotional and less verbal than girls, and girls tend to be less physical." This isn't even true with my own four children--two boys and two girls.

So, I ended up skipping lots of parts and just hitting the topics in my own words.

[Rea Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

*steps up onto soapbox*

I'm of the belief that you should never rely on a book to "raise" your child--don't thrust a book at a child on the cusp of puberty and call it a day.
Books can be great tools or conversation starts, but PLEASE, oh please, don't hand your kid a book and call it a day. Patting yourself on the back to dodging that bullet.
Books are great; open and honest irl conversation with a trusted adult is better.

*gets down off soapbox*

That aside, I love this book. I love Mayim Bialik.
I love how she balances the how and why of puberty with the care and warmth. Highly recommend.

[I copied my review from Girling Up because ditto.]

[Nichola · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad she took my suggestion to write a boy version. The most excellent parts here are when she covers consent, and talking about women and girls. Thanks for writing this very clearly in a place where someone can learn it. I also found the hero journey stuff interesting, and was glad for the perspective. Many of the general text is the same as the girl version, which I think is good, in case a young person wants to see what is in the other book, to understand that even though there are different points of view, the information doesn't change.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really want my son to read this, but I know if I say he "should" read it, then he won't. And I know I can't make him read it Clockwork Orange-style, because I'm pretty sure that breaks lots of rules in the parenting handbook. But hopefully he'll gravitate toward the book if I leave it out EVERYWHERE.

If you have a tween or young teen, this book is not only good for him (or even her so she can understand what boys go through) but it's good for YOU. To either clue you in on what they're going through, or remind you what you tried to forget.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a neuroscientist and mom of two boys, this tells how boys' bodies change during puberty and how to handle this confusing time period with bravery, boldness, and brilliance. (Bialik is from Big Bang Theory but is also neuroscientist in real life!) Lots of solid scientific information about how boys bodies change during puberty. Also lots of solid tips on how to handle this time with grace, kindness. Talks about why boys are important - also - and I thought this was really important - talked about changing the culture of how men treat and view women!!!

[Charlie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for boys (and girls) to read: (cis boys, trans boys, "feminine" boys, "masculine" boys, etc who are growing up). She talks about things that both boys, girls and others should know. I think Mayim handles all of her subjects delicately and in such a way that it doesn't sound like a mom giving advice (well maybe a little) or a neuroscientist (well maybe a little) it just sounds like a wise Mayim Bialik giving advice to her boys (and to us)
A+ excellent job!!

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was basically Girling Up with the genders changed and little "he said" additions since the author is not male. As in Girling Up, there was a lot of useful matter-of-fact information shared. The 'he said" sections were short and unattributed. While there was a tad more dealing with attraction to the same sex, it wasn't a lot, which surprised me in both. Still, a useful addition to any collection.

[Shiloh Schnabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a 12 year old son and we listened to the audiobook together. Puberty is a delicate time and the fact that he knows her as Amy from Big Bang Theory and recognized her voice was great. He was impressed by her factual presentation and that she had no embarrassment of the material. He asked me questions and she repeated things that I'd already told him. It was really good. I would say this is better than average, at least for us.
I will buy this book for my son.