You-ology: A Puberty Guide for EVERY Body

by Trish Hutchison, Kathryn Lowe MD FAAP, Melisa Holmes MD FACOG

From the most trusted name in child health, American Academy of Pediatrics, comes a new, inclusive approach to learning about puberty! Remember that awkward day in school when the boys went to one classroom and the girls to another and everyone nervously giggled, learning about taboo topics like menstruation and erections? What if your kids could learn about changing bodies in a way that isn’t secretive or shameful? And what if it could even be inclusive, fun, and, well, kind of adorable? A new kind of puberty guide, You-ology embraces an inclusive approach that normalizes puberty for all kids. Traditional puberty education only contributes to a sense of isolation and often does not include all kids’ experience of puberty and leaves kids with questions about how puberty will affect their friends and classmates. For curious kids and parents looking to talk about puberty in an inclusive way, You-ology offers fact-based, age-appropriate, and body positive information about the physical, social, and emotional changes ahead for all kids. Colorful illustrations keep the tone upbeat and engaging, while short stories featuring a cast of diverse characters add relatability and humor. Helping kids understand what EVERY body goes through in puberty, grows greater compassion and empathy for all.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Health, Banned Books, Medical

166 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2022

About the author

Dr. Trish Hutchison (Greenville, SC) graduated cum laude from the College of Charleston and earned her MD at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). After completing her pediatrics internship and residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Hutchison returned to Charleston, where she was in private practice with Charleston Pediatrics for ten years. She currently practices in the Adolescent Medicine Department at MUSC where she directs Girls2Women, a health center devoted to preteen and teen girls. She has been named among the Best Doctors in America.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This puberty book comes straight from the American Academy of Pediatrics so it’s full of factual and scientifically accurate and body positive information. It’s also unique in that it’s inclusive for all bodies - it’s for girls and boys and also transgender or gender diverse kids and families. It’s important to know how all bodies change, and this is such a positive approach. I have had open conversations with my girl tween and we’ve read the American girl book together, so I felt this was a good next step to see what all kids might be going through. It will also be great for my boy child when the time is right. Highly recommend, but read it first so you’re ready to have conversations or read it together with your child.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first gender-inclusive puberty book I've seen that talks about growing into your body. There's even a section on porn, masturbation, and consent. Sometimes cheesy, but overall a good addition to the puberty book landscape.

[Liz Dzwonczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so inclusive, meant for all kids and all parents. It is written in an approachable style for this very difficult content.

It is longer and more advanced than other “early-entry” puberty books. The challenging topics of porn, masturbation, and abuse are done really well.

Some of the chapter opening stories were a bit cringy but I think they will relate well to tweens. There was only one story I didn’t like and that is the reason for 4 stars, it involved a transgender child using a public locker room, which is a very hard concept to explain to a child, and also very contentious and controversial.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Joe Hass · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that discusses puberty in an honest, forthright manner. But more importantly, it discusses it beyond the basic binary and ages. Rather than just covering the basics, the book takes an intellectual look at how kids change at their own pace and in their own ways. By doing this, it puts it light years ahead of anything I've come across. It's been a valuable read in my house, both for myself and my son. I can't recommend it enough.

[Elizabeth]

This book needed a ghostwriter. The tone and density were really not for pre-pubescent kids. If you want to really drive home the idea that writing kids books is a specific skill, just read a few pages of this.

The content was partially good, but just WAY too in depth in a lot of places--i don't know many 9/10yo kids who want to know the difference between eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. Also, it is supposed to be really trans-inclusive, and it was, but it felt like trans-inclusiveness-by-committee where a lot of it felt watered down or weird. Two main examples:
- Gendered things said phrases such as "Girls and kids like Oliver," "Boys and kids like Kimi," which felt really othering of trans kids.
- Puberty blockers were named and indexed only when discussing precocious puberty. When discussing puberty for trans kids, they didn't specifically name blockers, just said basically, talk to your doctor to see if they can give you meds. That feels like a very intentional oversight.

Anyway, this book was okay? I guess? It just didn't feel that useful or accessible. I recommend Sex is a Funny Word (Silverberg/Smyth) if you want a more usable trans-inclusive book covering puberty and more.

[Charlotte Jorgensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a medically accurate book. Despite the authorship I can say with full confidence this book has parts that promote unhealthy and factually false medical information. If you buy this book, please read before giving it to your kids. Make sure you actually believe that the body not important to puberty and that synthetic drugs do no harm.

[Jenna Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a few books on puberty to find the best fit for my son; this is a good puberty book for EVERY body, as the name says.

This book uses stories to start off each chapter from the point of view of the kids. So those are relatable ways to dive into each chapter. It includes good explanations of each body part- and how to CLEAN them- and descriptions of gear needed, such as all the different options of bras, bralettes, etc.

This is written with multiple gender neutral points-of-view, and gives straightforward explanations of gender/non-binary/trans/etc. It is very body positive about different choices for hair, clothes, different types of skin care, choices to shave, etc. Everything is presented matter-of-factly, which I appreciated.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous and funny. My 11 year old just started it and is enjoying it as much as an 11 yo boy can enjoy a book about puberty given to him by his mom. It is informative, funny, and inclusive. I love that it discusses sex assigned at birth, gender identify, and gender expression as well as the challenges a trans or NB child may encounter during puberty. Highly recommend to all parents and pre-teena. If you have a trans or NB child definitely check this out.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about puberty for every body! Instead of gendered books like my mom handed me, this talks about all bodies. Not everyone is cisgender, and everyone should learn about what everyone goes through during puberty. To give credit to my schooling, only the first of 4 years of puberty talk was separated by gender. Could this book be better, more inclusive, and not as educational? Yes. Is it more thorough and overall better than most other books about puberty? Yes.

[Jennifer Ingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not read the whole thing, just skimmed and previewed for parenting purposes. Will definitely use as a resource for teaching my kid. Would recommend to other parents, as well. It’s inclusive, informative, developmentally appropriate—all the things you’d want and need in a book about puberty and growing up.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for kids of all kinds. I loved that this book is both easy to read and to understand. It approaches puberty with dignity and self respect of the process and your body. A great book for all parents and kids to read together.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every parent and every prepubescent kid. Gender inclusive, thoughtful, funny, accessible, comprehensive, and brief, it’s the perfect puberty guide for everyone. I wish I had it as a kid and can’t wait to use it in my health classes next year!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be my favorite new recommendation for puberty books! Very inclusive, scientific, and also includes little vignettes and characters to make it more personable. Includes anatomy, gender identity and gender expression; does not cover the mechanics of having sex.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My search for a non-gendered puberty guide was successful! This book is EXCELLENT. Exactly the right tone, exactly the right amount of information for the age group. Hopefully the first student to borrow it returns it...

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good primer for parents, folks who work with kids, and anyone with kids in their life.

Gender inclusive with discussions on bullying and social growth, as well as shame-free biology.

[Deborah Seltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book that every child about to start, or in the middle of, puberty should read-- and all the adults in their lives.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very inclusive, very thorough book about puberty, but it is long, so probably best for kids who love to read. Great for my daughter, we'll see when we get to my son!

[Brittany Bair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! So happy to have a comprehensive guide for my son and daughter to read when they're a bit older.

[ara]

very comprehensive - good for as needed sections could possibly be used for pre pre tween

[Danielle Manalo]

purchased for my son to read, written by physicians. an inclusive approach to learning about our bodies through puberty

[Ylvaashworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so i enjoyed the book but i think that i should have chosen a diffrent puberty book because this certain one is giving false information and making me think my under arms smell by telling me to wear deodorent but I do think its a good book and I liked how quinn (one of the charecters they use charecters to lighten the mood that the book gives off)
Is trans like me its nice to read a book that the charecters you can relate to so i think it gave me a good version of trans that wasn’t negative so it made me smile a bit. it also has stories about the topic we are talking about in the book so like it had a story for B.O ( body odor )
I enjoyed this book very much and would suggest it for everyone who is learning about puberty.