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Ready, Set, Grow!: A What's Happening to My Body? Book for Younger Girls
Ready, Set, Grow! In her uniquely warm and funny style, Lynda wrote this entirely new book especially for younger girls to give them what they need to know to celebrate and accept the new and exciting changes that are happening to their bodies during puberty. Illustrated with delightful drawings, Ready, Set, Grow! is the sixth book in the popular Madaras "What's Happening to My Body?" series of growing-up books for girls and boys. Praised by parents, teachers, nurses, doctors, and especially kids, the bestselling "What's Happening to My Body?" books for older girls and boys are on the "Best Books for Young Adults" list from the American Library Association, and have been translated into 12 languages. Over 2,000,000 copies of the "What's Happening to My Body?" series are in print.
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2003
32 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Lynda Madaras
50 books9 followersLynda Madaras is the author of eleven books on health, childcare, and parenting, including six from Newmarket Press. Lynda is recognized worldwide by librarians, educators, reviewers, parents, nurses, doctors --- and the kids themselves --- for her unique non-threatening style, excellent organization, and thorough coverage of the experience of adolescence.
For more than twenty years a sex and health education teacher in Pasadena and Santa Monica, California, she has made numerous appearances on Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS, and is quoted often in newspapers and magazines. She lectures frequently to teachers, librarians, nurses, health professionals, and parents' groups.
She lives in California.
For more than twenty years a sex and health education teacher in Pasadena and Santa Monica, California, she has made numerous appearances on Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS, and is quoted often in newspapers and magazines. She lectures frequently to teachers, librarians, nurses, health professionals, and parents' groups.
She lives in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 8, 2012
Some time ago I realized with horror that I have a nine-year-old, and soon things are going to be happening to her body. Things she ought to know about before they start happening. I did some research to find a book which would cover the basics without overwhelming or horrifying her.
There are a lot of books which don't fit the bill. Lots of books talk about dating and boys. There was one which went into more details about birthing a baby than prenatal class did. I finally found this one through Amazon, and bought it at our local indy kids' bookstore.
It's a good book and fits the bill. It's quite light-hearted, with plenty of cartoon-style illustrations. It covers the basics without too much scary stuff (with one exception: see below) and it's appropriate for a younger girl who hasn't yet started puberty.
Two reservations: she uses "egg tubes" instead of "Fallopian tubes", and "lips" instead of "labia". Why? I don't know. I say give Gabriele Falloppio his due and teach the kids a nice long word.
The next one is more major: the last chapter is about harassment and sexual abuse. Lots of nice light-hearted chapters about the exciting changes in your body, and then *boom*, guess what, this is also totally going to suck because now you are eligible for harassment and abuse. I guess it's something you need to know about, but I wish she would have ended on a lighter note.
Of course my kid being who she is, she wasn't freaked out by periods or cramps, body hair, zits, or harassment. No, the thing that made her cry was the one paragraph about bulimia. Because vomiting on purpose is just so wrong.
There are a lot of books which don't fit the bill. Lots of books talk about dating and boys. There was one which went into more details about birthing a baby than prenatal class did. I finally found this one through Amazon, and bought it at our local indy kids' bookstore.
It's a good book and fits the bill. It's quite light-hearted, with plenty of cartoon-style illustrations. It covers the basics without too much scary stuff (with one exception: see below) and it's appropriate for a younger girl who hasn't yet started puberty.
Two reservations: she uses "egg tubes" instead of "Fallopian tubes", and "lips" instead of "labia". Why? I don't know. I say give Gabriele Falloppio his due and teach the kids a nice long word.
The next one is more major: the last chapter is about harassment and sexual abuse. Lots of nice light-hearted chapters about the exciting changes in your body, and then *boom*, guess what, this is also totally going to suck because now you are eligible for harassment and abuse. I guess it's something you need to know about, but I wish she would have ended on a lighter note.
Of course my kid being who she is, she wasn't freaked out by periods or cramps, body hair, zits, or harassment. No, the thing that made her cry was the one paragraph about bulimia. Because vomiting on purpose is just so wrong.
August 12, 2008
Got this for my 11 year old daughter from the library. It does an excellent job of explaining what is happening/going to happen during puberty. I liked that it wasn't too much info all at once and it was written at an easy to understand level without being condending. I also like that it doesn't get into the details about sex yet since my daughter still thinks that boys are gross.
A couple of things I didn't like: It refers to the fallopian tubes as the egg tubes. I didn't understand why since everything else is called by it's correct anotomical name. It also makes it seem like getting pregnant is just something that spontaneously happens when the girl thinks about it and wants it to happen. It think it would've been ok to skip this comment since it is misleading.
Other than that, excellent book. I looked for a long time before I found a book that I was comfortable giving my daughter as a starting point. Her school doesn't teach anything about this so it's all up to me. I'm glad I found an informative book that doesn't go into too much detail for now.
A couple of things I didn't like: It refers to the fallopian tubes as the egg tubes. I didn't understand why since everything else is called by it's correct anotomical name. It also makes it seem like getting pregnant is just something that spontaneously happens when the girl thinks about it and wants it to happen. It think it would've been ok to skip this comment since it is misleading.
Other than that, excellent book. I looked for a long time before I found a book that I was comfortable giving my daughter as a starting point. Her school doesn't teach anything about this so it's all up to me. I'm glad I found an informative book that doesn't go into too much detail for now.
September 28, 2013
Good information presented in a friendly style that the 9 - 11 year old set can handle. I especially appreciated Madaras' emphasis on the wide range of what is normal. She drove home the point that girls begin puberty at many different times and react to it differently, too.
I think it's better as a book for parents to read to help them share correct information with their girls gently and joyously than for a girl to read alone.
One big negative: the last chapter on sexual harrassment and molestation drops a bomb on the reader and just sits there. It is important information, but it seems to say "Congratulations! You've entered puberty. You're now a target!" I think this chapter could have been placed elsewhere in the book so that it could end on a more positive, less fraught, note.
I think it's better as a book for parents to read to help them share correct information with their girls gently and joyously than for a girl to read alone.
One big negative: the last chapter on sexual harrassment and molestation drops a bomb on the reader and just sits there. It is important information, but it seems to say "Congratulations! You've entered puberty. You're now a target!" I think this chapter could have been placed elsewhere in the book so that it could end on a more positive, less fraught, note.
July 31, 2024
This helped the oldest and now reading it with the youngest!
August 7, 2008
This would have been nice to have when I was younger. I think the author deals with this touchy topic in a conversational, educated and realistic manner.
March 15, 2009
Clear, detailed, easy to read book about the stages of puberty for girls. Best for a girl in the very early stages of puberty.
January 14, 2010
A light-hearted look at puberty - geared toward children in grades 4 - 6.
December 21, 2010
Great book it will be your best friend
June 20, 2011
ransum liburannya kal. ikut nebeng baca
October 7, 2017
This was my least favorite puberty for girls book I have read so far. While I liked the conversational aspect of the book and how it included Q&As with each chapter as well as quotes from other young girls, I did not like how certain issues were (or weren't addressed).
It mentions the word sex (without description of what sex is) several times yet when describing pregnancy, it talks about "the egg" implanting and growing into a baby instead of mentioning the fact that it is a new life from part of the woman (egg) and man (sperm) joined together. I believe this inaccurate description is confusing for young girls and could lead to continued and future misunderstandings about their health and fertility. I found this (and a few other lack of proper descriptions) perplexing as this book for the most part does do a good job of calling body parts/situations the correct name.
It promotes masturbation and semi-encourages it.
While several times it mentions times to talk with her parents, I think in any puberty book it is important to instruct girls on having a good female adult role model/confidant to discuss questions and concerns with as well as affirming the importance of a good healthy relationship with a good male role model as well. These role models often may be the mom and dad but helping girls to identify how to find a good role model is also important and helpful.
It mentions the word sex (without description of what sex is) several times yet when describing pregnancy, it talks about "the egg" implanting and growing into a baby instead of mentioning the fact that it is a new life from part of the woman (egg) and man (sperm) joined together. I believe this inaccurate description is confusing for young girls and could lead to continued and future misunderstandings about their health and fertility. I found this (and a few other lack of proper descriptions) perplexing as this book for the most part does do a good job of calling body parts/situations the correct name.
It promotes masturbation and semi-encourages it.
While several times it mentions times to talk with her parents, I think in any puberty book it is important to instruct girls on having a good female adult role model/confidant to discuss questions and concerns with as well as affirming the importance of a good healthy relationship with a good male role model as well. These role models often may be the mom and dad but helping girls to identify how to find a good role model is also important and helpful.
December 12, 2017
This is an excellent book for young girls. It's very body positive and inclusive. I particularly think the short section about sexual harassment and abuse was well done. The language was very empowering and offered good advice.
Would recommend for ages 8-12.
Heck, as someone who grew up without any sex ed in home or school, I even learned some things.
Would recommend for ages 8-12.
Heck, as someone who grew up without any sex ed in home or school, I even learned some things.
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July 18, 2018Radiolab asked listeners for their sex ed recommendations.
Katie, a Radiolab listener, says, "This book was given to me by my mother when I was around 12 years old. I was going to a Catholic grade school at the time and she thought I needed additional sex-ed outside of a religious environment. This book was not only informative and interesting, but it was very approachable and fun for me at that age. I remember reading and re-reading it and going back to it whenever I had questions. It had a very body-positive tone as well, which was crucial for me(and any adolescent) just beginning puberty. I hope I still have my copy somewhere because I would love to pass it down to my future daughter."
Katie, a Radiolab listener, says, "This book was given to me by my mother when I was around 12 years old. I was going to a Catholic grade school at the time and she thought I needed additional sex-ed outside of a religious environment. This book was not only informative and interesting, but it was very approachable and fun for me at that age. I remember reading and re-reading it and going back to it whenever I had questions. It had a very body-positive tone as well, which was crucial for me(and any adolescent) just beginning puberty. I hope I still have my copy somewhere because I would love to pass it down to my future daughter."
May 28, 2021
A good introduction to sex ed for girls. It's more comprehensive than AG's The Care and Keeping of You which guided me through my teens, but it's nowhere near comprehensive enough once you have the basics down. Looking forward to reading more complex books on sexuality and sex ed, but I don't regret finally finishing this one.
June 29, 2017
I have read all the books about puberty that our library system stocks. This one is my favorite for younger girls (10 is my target age right now). Plenty of details, but not too many details for the age.
February 7, 2023
A mí me parece muy emocionte me ayudó a saber todo sobre la pubertad en especial respondía preguntas que ayudan mucho a saber más sobre este tema. Y es un tema donde este libro te ayuda a explicarles a tu papás y a confiar más en las personas cercanas y en mi misma.
November 4, 2024
Pretty inclusive and gentle. I went over some of it with my 9 year old daughter after reading parts of it myself.
It felt thorough and mostly on point for my 9 year old. I wish I had this book when I was her age.
It felt thorough and mostly on point for my 9 year old. I wish I had this book when I was her age.
September 4, 2018
Great Book
I liked this book because it talked about, with great detail, about how a girls body works during puberty and tells you what to expect.
I liked this book because it talked about, with great detail, about how a girls body works during puberty and tells you what to expect.
Currently reading
July 19, 2020Good book
February 19, 2022
Pretty much a perfect book for our curious growing 10 year old! Written very well and with lots of conversation starters.
October 15, 2022
I want read your book
May 29, 2012
This is a very comprehensive book about the changes that occur during puberty. It presents the different changes step-by-step and explains that everyone experiences the changes at their own pace and in their own order. I love that it explains that every girl develops in her own way and the size, shape and rate at which these changes occur is completely normal. I also love that it tells how a young girl may have different, conflicting emotions about the changes in her body. Finally, I thought that it was important and appropriate for the book to tackle some tough subjects, such as eating disorders and sexual harassment and abuse.
I read this book with our oldest today because I want her to be prepared for what is to come. I think that she is a couple of years away from some of the more major changes, but when I hear on the news that a little girl who is 8 gave birth to a baby (I think it was in Mexico), I am just shocked and saddened. I realize that virtually no age is too young to have some of these important discussions. I did not read this book with our youngest yet; I don't think she's quite ready and I wanted to talk about puberty one on one with our oldest. But I have a feeling her time will come sooner rather than later.
I read this book with our oldest today because I want her to be prepared for what is to come. I think that she is a couple of years away from some of the more major changes, but when I hear on the news that a little girl who is 8 gave birth to a baby (I think it was in Mexico), I am just shocked and saddened. I realize that virtually no age is too young to have some of these important discussions. I did not read this book with our youngest yet; I don't think she's quite ready and I wanted to talk about puberty one on one with our oldest. But I have a feeling her time will come sooner rather than later.
January 30, 2018
Overall, I liked the tone and style of this book. I think my soon to be eight year old will enjoy it, as well. As I started to read it I wondered if there would be any mention of gender fluidity or questioning and then I realized it was published in 2003 (so,no). Therefore, it's slightly outdated (a reference to watching MTV confirmed that).
The book reiterates over and over that you should "be what you want to be" and that whatever you are is okay, so that was great.
At one point I wondered if there was too much focus on wanting bigger breasts/negative body images? Or is it just facing what is really out there?
I like that they cover all the opinions about shaving and hair removal.
One part that I was unsure of, for my eight year old, was the mention of eating disorders.
Discusses masturbation and says it is normal (that's a plus in my opinion).
I think this book handles sexual harassment well especially for being almost fifteen years old.
Is there an updated version?
I think it depends on the child, but since my eight year old is mature and curious she could do well with it.
There is no discussion of gender but we have other books that do that,so maybe it's okay.
The book reiterates over and over that you should "be what you want to be" and that whatever you are is okay, so that was great.
At one point I wondered if there was too much focus on wanting bigger breasts/negative body images? Or is it just facing what is really out there?
I like that they cover all the opinions about shaving and hair removal.
One part that I was unsure of, for my eight year old, was the mention of eating disorders.
Discusses masturbation and says it is normal (that's a plus in my opinion).
I think this book handles sexual harassment well especially for being almost fifteen years old.
Is there an updated version?
I think it depends on the child, but since my eight year old is mature and curious she could do well with it.
There is no discussion of gender but we have other books that do that,so maybe it's okay.
March 6, 2013
Good intro to puberty book. Geared to ward the 8-12 range and touches on more sesative subjects like eating disorders and masturbation and harassment, but doesn't explore extensively. Handles them very sensitively.
Lots of quotes from other young girls to give a wide range of views and experiances dealing with puberty and growing.
Will probably not be in depth enough for a teenager.
Lots of quotes from other young girls to give a wide range of views and experiances dealing with puberty and growing.
Will probably not be in depth enough for a teenager.
August 23, 2007
Reading this every night with my daughter (9). The doctor recommended "you talk to her before everyone else does." SO, this is where I started - the library! It's perfect to read together and the Q&A section seems right on for her. Nine really must be the new 11!
February 1, 2009
I got this book from the library so Jordyn and I could have "the talk". It made it a little easier when I was explaining things. It had a lot of common Q&A for kids ranging 9 and up. Definately a useful book.
September 13, 2009
I am going over this book with my daughter, so that she knows why her body is changing and she won't be surprised by the changes that will come next. It's a great way to do "The Talk" with her, at least the beginning.
March 1, 2015
Brilliant book; perfect for my students' age. Clear, body-positive language with updated tips. I don't know what we'll do when Linda Madras stops writing books. Her first book taught *me* about puberty.
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February 11, 2016NOTES: says age 8-11
yes masturbation, anorexia, no LGBT, consent
"Many girls with large breasts are unhappy, too. They get tired of stares and comments." p 24 and then on p 30 "You don't have to put up with it."
yes masturbation, anorexia, no LGBT, consent
"Many girls with large breasts are unhappy, too. They get tired of stares and comments." p 24 and then on p 30 "You don't have to put up with it."
October 17, 2012
so cool
October 5, 2014
I LIKED HOW IT WAS DETAILED ON A GIRLS BODY ,AND I'M NOT SURE ABOUT ALOT OF INFO,
SO I READ ABOUT IT AND IT HELPS
SO I READ ABOUT IT AND IT HELPS
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews