It took me a while longer than I had hoped to get over the holiday bustle and get settled in the new year. I'm hoping to backdate some entries so I can keep you up-to-date on what I've discovered. Today I'm going to share some books about girls on the cusp of puberty. Both of these books are frequently banned for their frank discussion of menstruation, so I suppose for the sake of covering my bases I should suggest that you take a peek at them if you're concerned about that sort of thing (although what makes menstruation any more scandalous than murder or graphic violence or any of the other reasons books are banned?).
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Judy Blume
Judy Blume's quintessential novel about the endless anxieties and confusions of growing up is still one of the only novels available for the mid-to-late elementary set that even mentions menstruation. Note: I know several gentlemen who have read this book and emerged unscarred, so don't think these books are only for women. The parts about sanitary belts are a bit dated, but the rest holds up surprisingly well.
What's Happening to My Body: Book for Girls, Lynda Madaras (There's also a boy edition, which I have read and is rather similar)
This book is much more technical and involved but still accessible by a variety of ages (the book itself says ages 9 and above). I read it in 3rd grade with my mom -- we sat side-by-side on the bed and silently read a page at a time, and this was a comfortable way of addressing puberty together without "the talk." Does a good job of addressing possible family or religious beliefs concerning puberty and sexuality, but still presents all options.
I haven't read the new edition, which apparently discusses the female athletic syndrome. Perhaps it's time for me to take another look, as I am not familiar with it at all outside of just discovering
this article.
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