Is This Normal?: Girls' Questions, Answered by the Editors of the Care & Keeping of You

by Erin Falligant (Editor), Michelle Watkins (Editor), Norm Bendell (Illustrator)

More than two million girls have read The Care & Keeping of You, and many of them wrote to American Girl with concerns about their own changing bodies. In this follow-up book, Is This Normal?, girls can read some of those letters, along with responses that may answer some of their own questions. The book isn't meant to be a substitute for conversations with parents. In fact, the last chapter of the book gives girls tips for talking with parents about puberty and other touchy topics. Armed with the information in this book, girls will feel ready for and excited about the changes ahead.

Genres: Childrens, Health, Parenting

110 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

As an American Girl author and editor, Erin Falligant has developed books across a number of series, including Angelina Ballerina, Hopscotch Hill School, and American Girls Short Stories. While writing Braving the Lake, a story with more than 20 endings, she had great fun imagining the many paths the story could take. She views the Innerstar University™ books as “wonderfully challenging to write and a great teaching tool for readers, who can read the stories again and again to find out how the decisions they make lead to different outcomes.” Ms. Falligant has a master's degree in child clinical psychology and coaches Girls on the Run, where she helps girls build self-confidence and create paths of their own near her home just outside of Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter came across this book at the school library and brought it home. Although the book addresses many different issues tweens face, it created a great framework for us to discuss puberty together. It was factual which made the situation less uncomfortable for me, and less scary for her. I have heard good things about the companion book to this one, "The Care and Keeping of You," which we are now reading through together.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for young girls! Explains the stuff they don't want to ask you, or maybe that haven't thought about it yet. In either case, great book to have in their collection!

[Jenae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a trip down memory lane, as I used to LOVE reading AG books. As an adult it’s a fun read but it also felt too prescriptive for the vast audience it’s directed towards. It’s also, unsurprisingly, dated given that it was published nearly 15 years ago.

[Allison Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good one to introduce to pre-teens that helps with a lot of great questions. This does talk about puberty, so a discussion about puberty should be discussed first.

[Lacey Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect little book for girls answering questions about menstrual cycles, friendships, and how to deal with different situations. Will hold on to this for my girls when they are older.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about this book from a friend who said it was so great for her preteen daughters. I bought it for my daughter the other day and she has really loved reading it. It has all of the questions that girls 7-14 want and need to know about starting puberty and growing up. A lot of the questions in this book I remember having, but felt silly and embarrassed to ask anyone. It's also opened up really great discussions between my daughter and I. I think it helped open lines of communication and I hope that when my daughter starts developing, she will know that what is happening is normal and know what to expect. I highly recommend this book for anyone with preteen daughters.

[Emu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book is a good book for people going through puberty. It really helped me with few problems I have.

[Anayagilliam]

i need to read the book

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good help for girls. Plus, encourages them to trust their parents.

[Bayou des Cannes Cajun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all of the American Girl Books in this series so to speak this book is a good introductory book.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter has this book and it makes her feel that she's not alone in this world.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be great for my daughter, as she has questions about growing up.