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You Do You: Figuring Out Your Body, Dating, and Sexuality
Teen sex. STIs. Sexting. Rape. Sexual harassment. #MeToo and #YesAllWomen. Today's teens launch into their sexual lives facing challenging issues but with little if any formalized learning about sex and human reproduction. Many of them get their sex ed from online porn. Through this authoritative, inclusive, and teen-friendly overview, readers learn the basics about sex, sexuality, human reproduction and development, birth control, gender identity, healthy communication, dating, relationships and break ups, the importance of consent, safety, body positivity and healthy lifestyles, media myths, and more. Advice-column-style Q&As and real-life stories add human drama and authenticity.
-- "Journal"
-- "Journal"
- GenresNonfiction
120 pages, ebook
First published November 5, 2019
3 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mirk
16 books96 followersSarah Mirk is a social justice-focused writer and artist.
She began her career as a reporter for alternative weekly newspapers The Stranger and The Portland Mercury, where she covered political issues and numerous colorful characters. From 2013 to 2017, she worked as the online editor of national feminism and pop culture nonprofit Bitch Media. In that role, she edited and published critical work from dozens of writers, ran social media pages with a reach of 1.5 million readers, and hosted the engaging feminist podcast Popaganda, whose 10,000 listeners tuned into episodes on topics ranging from environmental justice to reproductive rights. Starting in January 2017, she moved on to become a contributing editor at graphic journalism website The Nib, where she writes and edits nonfiction comics about history, politics, and identity, and also works as a writer on The Nib's animation series, which garnered nine million views its first season. Her first graphic novel, Open Earth, is debuting from Limerence Press in 2018, featuring illustrations by Eva Cabrera and Claudia Aguirre.
She is the author of Sex from Scratch: Making Your Own Relationship Rules (Microcosm, 2014) an open-minded guide to dating that now in its second edition. Sarah also writes, draws, and edits print zines and comics, including the popular series Oregon History Comics, which tells little known and marginalized stories from Oregon’s past. She reviews graphic novels for Publisher's Weekly and is also a frequent political commentator
She began her career as a reporter for alternative weekly newspapers The Stranger and The Portland Mercury, where she covered political issues and numerous colorful characters. From 2013 to 2017, she worked as the online editor of national feminism and pop culture nonprofit Bitch Media. In that role, she edited and published critical work from dozens of writers, ran social media pages with a reach of 1.5 million readers, and hosted the engaging feminist podcast Popaganda, whose 10,000 listeners tuned into episodes on topics ranging from environmental justice to reproductive rights. Starting in January 2017, she moved on to become a contributing editor at graphic journalism website The Nib, where she writes and edits nonfiction comics about history, politics, and identity, and also works as a writer on The Nib's animation series, which garnered nine million views its first season. Her first graphic novel, Open Earth, is debuting from Limerence Press in 2018, featuring illustrations by Eva Cabrera and Claudia Aguirre.
She is the author of Sex from Scratch: Making Your Own Relationship Rules (Microcosm, 2014) an open-minded guide to dating that now in its second edition. Sarah also writes, draws, and edits print zines and comics, including the popular series Oregon History Comics, which tells little known and marginalized stories from Oregon’s past. She reviews graphic novels for Publisher's Weekly and is also a frequent political commentator
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2019
This short book about bodies, dating and sexuality is incredibly well-written and will be a great guide for 21st century teens and young adults. (Fun fact- I'm a 40-something mom who grew up in "purity culture" and found this book warmly supportive and informative.)
I know that many parents want to make sure their values are represented in the resources they provide for their kids, so these are my observations;
You Do You is fully affirming of the LGBTQ community and uses inclusive language, along with information specific to trans and non-binary individuals. The book offers straight talk about sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy risks, and abortion. It also stresses consent and body autonomy. It normalizes all body types and sizes and discourages comparison. It encourages kids to talk to parents and/or trusted adults.
I can't think of a better resource for teens and young adults than this one. Definitely recommend.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion- which I am always happy to give. ;) My thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity! #NetGalley #YouDoYou
I know that many parents want to make sure their values are represented in the resources they provide for their kids, so these are my observations;
You Do You is fully affirming of the LGBTQ community and uses inclusive language, along with information specific to trans and non-binary individuals. The book offers straight talk about sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy risks, and abortion. It also stresses consent and body autonomy. It normalizes all body types and sizes and discourages comparison. It encourages kids to talk to parents and/or trusted adults.
I can't think of a better resource for teens and young adults than this one. Definitely recommend.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion- which I am always happy to give. ;) My thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity! #NetGalley #YouDoYou
October 13, 2019
Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
The changes that our bodies go through are uncontrollable, and there are more options and opinions about those changes and sexuality today than has been socially acceptable before. In this book, Mirk discusses the topics that have been stigmatized to the point that those going through changes (or are years past it) are afraid to even ask questions like “what is normal for my body?” and “how much intimacy do I have to give in a relationship?” However, Mirk tells her readers that their first questions need to be “what are my values?” and “what am I comfortable with?”
Years past puberty myself, I still felt empowered by the knowledge and encouragement Mirk gives readers. Mirk does a good job of giving all the facts without opinion or judgement, simply giving readers the knowledge they need to make choices that are best for them. That being said, this book has a very liberal outlook that is not pushed but is definitely in the background -- and that’s a good thing. A conservative book about sexuality would leave readers, especially those still struggling with changes, with more questions. Mirk’s approach feels like a safe place to have questions and learn.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
The changes that our bodies go through are uncontrollable, and there are more options and opinions about those changes and sexuality today than has been socially acceptable before. In this book, Mirk discusses the topics that have been stigmatized to the point that those going through changes (or are years past it) are afraid to even ask questions like “what is normal for my body?” and “how much intimacy do I have to give in a relationship?” However, Mirk tells her readers that their first questions need to be “what are my values?” and “what am I comfortable with?”
Years past puberty myself, I still felt empowered by the knowledge and encouragement Mirk gives readers. Mirk does a good job of giving all the facts without opinion or judgement, simply giving readers the knowledge they need to make choices that are best for them. That being said, this book has a very liberal outlook that is not pushed but is definitely in the background -- and that’s a good thing. A conservative book about sexuality would leave readers, especially those still struggling with changes, with more questions. Mirk’s approach feels like a safe place to have questions and learn.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
January 6, 2023
This book takes an excellent approach to sex and relationships, grounded in consent, openness, acceptance, and inclusion, and open consideration of values. It's a brief primer that is most valuable for its accessibility and the framework it provides for these topics.
The opening paragraph, for instance:
The opening paragraph, for instance:
The first thing to know about your body is that it's yours. You get to decide what to do with your body--what it looks like, what feels good, what feels bad, and who to share it with and how. That may sound super obvious, but it's actually the basis of a big idea that's the foundation of all dating and sexuality: consent.A few other excerpts that jumped out at me:
Let's talk about the open secret of dating: No one knows what they're doing. Everyone feels awkward. Even experienced adults are making up their approach to relationships as they go. There is no one-size-fits-all map to dating. Everyone has to draw their own map based on their ow history, values, and desires. The only tried-and-true remedy to combat awkwardness in dating is communication. You've gotta talk it out.It's definitely a book I would give to my children.
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Sexual arousal appears to turn off the critical-thinking regions in our brain that are tied to self-awareness and rational behavior. When we're lusting after someone new, we're not our smartest selves.
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What you feel about porn and whether you decide to consume it depends on your values. Looking at porn doesn't make you sick or an addict. But don't hold yourself or your partners to the impossible standards of fantasy. Expect and enjoy the messy, sweaty, awkward reality.
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The most important sign of whether you're ready to have sex is whether you and your partner can talk about sex.
February 13, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.
This book will be a GREAT resource and every library should have a copy!
I grew up with American Girl's "The Care and Keeping of You." "You Do You" is definitely a bit past that in the information it contains and the audience it's for, but it's got that same comfortable, informal, and informative feel.
I do wish it had a little more information on how to figure out certain things, but I understand that it doesn't want to push kids to labels when it's a journey they come to themselves.
I think this book will help many families in the future.
This book will be a GREAT resource and every library should have a copy!
I grew up with American Girl's "The Care and Keeping of You." "You Do You" is definitely a bit past that in the information it contains and the audience it's for, but it's got that same comfortable, informal, and informative feel.
I do wish it had a little more information on how to figure out certain things, but I understand that it doesn't want to push kids to labels when it's a journey they come to themselves.
I think this book will help many families in the future.
November 25, 2019
Really good, approachable sex-ed book for the modern era. Covers basics - (changing) anatomy, dating and birth control - but also approaches a variety of other topics - sexual orientation, gender identity, bullying, consent and sexual assault.
Very much not a fear-and-doom, but a realistic and empowering book.
Very much not a fear-and-doom, but a realistic and empowering book.
October 15, 2019
This book was filled with good information. It also is very empowering in the way it encourages you to find what you want. I would highly recommend to teens or tweens that are starting the roller coaster of puberty.
October 5, 2019
I used this book for research on a project I'm working on, and it was very helpful! I would highly recommend!
December 20, 2019
It's good information, but it's not really sitting right with me.
April 27, 2025
Every library in the world needs multiple copies of this book. Borrowed or stolen, this book needs to be read by every young person, the earlier the better!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews