In Case You're Curious: Questions about Sex from Young People with Answers from the Experts

by Alison Macklin (Editor), Molly Alderton (Contributor), Meghan Hilton (Contributor)

Did you ever walk out of class having even more questions than when you walked in? You may feel that way about history or math, but what about your sexual health class (if you even had one)? If you’re anything like most of the youth in America today, your head is probably spinning with a swirling, high-speed hurricane of questions. It is totally normal to be curious and to have questions about relationships, bodies, consent . . . you name it!

But where can your average teen go to get all the reliable and accurate answers they need? In Case You’re Curious, a text-and-answer program conceived by Planned Parenthood, has been providing this educational service for teens for years. And now In Case You’re Curious is a big book of answers—with funny and educational illustrations—to the most popular and most interesting questions young people have about birth control, development, sexually transmitted diseases, and so much more.

Within these pages you will find nonjudgmental (and fun!) answers meant to educate teens without the uncomfortable silence or weird eye contact often associated with “The Talk.” In Case You’re Curious isn’t afraid to tackle the nitty-gritty questions, such as “Does masturbating give you a disease?” and “Is the pineapple thing true?” that you may think twice about raising your hand to ask in your sexual health class or at home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Teen

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2019

Reviews

[Kristy Lin Billuni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I cracked open this book I knew I needed to read fast, review the gorgeous thing, and get it back into the mail to my 11-year-old niece, pronto. The tone and topics of the questions stirred an urgency in me, a reminder of the impatience with which I sponged up information about sex during my adolescence. My niece needs this book now! Yesterday! Last summer! Last year!
Split into nine chapters, with voices of real, youth-generated questions and expert answers, this book addresses exactly the issues I once struggled with (Why do people want to have sex?), ideas I still ponder (What are flavored condoms for?), and topics unique to the kids hitting puberty now (Why are pronouns so important?).
The language is thoughtful and careful, and every page includes a sweet or funny illustration that strikes me as very on-point for the young adult generation.
Even as a longtime sex educator, I have found myself challenged to talk about sex in a changing world with the young people I know. It’s a relief to brush up on these issues from a young person’s point of view, and I am a smarter, sassier, more sex-positive teacher and auntie than ever because I’ve read it.
(I received an ARC for a fair review)

[Amy Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fabulous resource.
It’s like a book of question box questions in an Our Whole Lives program.

Strong recommend.

I especially recommend this book for adults who are parents or significant and trusted adults in kids’ lives. What a great resource to help us prepare to answer questions.

[Sunny Welker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, factual information for anyone with curiosity about sex. They are sure to include taking ones values into consideration when making sexual decisions and drive home concent.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thankful that a book like this exists. I’m currently on a journey to learn more about sex, the history of it and to debunk the myths I’ve come to believe that are STILL being spread to this day. I’ve realized my sex education is sparse, even as a 23 year old and this is a great start to learn the facts. I consumed this in the form of audio book and it was straight to the point and easy to digest answering some of my questions. I picked this up with having limited knowledge of Planned Parenthood and it’s odd to me that people would be out to defund this when all PP has done with this book/organization is to educate. This is not a review about politics but that’s the kicker… there’s nothing political about this book. Just the facts about something seen as taboo or awkward. Sex education and sexual health is important. I’m glad that PP has made a book and is there for teens and adults curious about something that is completely normal and has been done since the beginning of time. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a great sex education whether it be because it’s not taken seriously by their parents/schools or it’s just awkward for them to even ask. I applaud this book.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how this ended up on my reading list but I read it and surprisingly at my age I still was able to learn a thing or two. I found this book to be a great resource for children and adults. Maybe buy a copy and read it first and then leave it for your child. It would be a great way to open a conversation.

[Brianna Kinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to a textbook but more entertaining due to the pictures throughout, this book is very educational and answers a lot of commonly asked questions from teenagers. A good resource for libraries to have.

[Anne Friedli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because I made my teen read it as well. I think it’s a great book to use as an intro to deeper sex education for kids. I like that it is secular and goes into topics of non-heterosexual relationships as well.

[Maeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great resource for kids

[Jaculin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, and age appropriate information for tweens/teens and also great information for adults!! (Age 9 years old and up.)

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good and helpful, as a starter point. i think its meant for someone a little younger than me (im 17). all in all really good, but i wish it went more in depth in some areas

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had existed when I was an adolescent! Very informative, with a friendly-tone.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a health class and couldn’t stop laughing! This is so great to read with teenagers!

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is very educational and perfect for any teenagers who have questions about sex and sexuality.

[are we there yet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a thorough explanation of anything, but a series of answers to questions that seem to come from a mixed bag of kids with a wide range of experience/knowledge. I would say 13-15 is about right as the target audience.

I read some of the reviews and am raising my eyebrow. People, I think you're overestimating how much kids know about sex (or their interest level, for that matter), and hopefully you're treating this book as a supplement instead of THE bible.