Book Review
Short Summary
On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow! was written by Lynda Madaras for young boys aged 7 to 11. It’s part of the bestselling series called What’s Happening to My Body?, which guides most young boys and girls through the different challenges that come with growing up. It was published in 2008.
As an expert on puberty and growing up, the author has had the chance to talk to many boys who have voiced their biggest challenges they have when they go through puberty and what they experience. This book aims to help them sort through these challenges and answers questions that can help them adjust through their transition as they grow from young boys to young adults.
What This Book Is About
When boys reach a certain age, they start seeing changes in their own bodies. They start to feel different, too. This book helps young boys who are about to enter puberty (as well as those who have already started) prepare for the amazing development they’ll be experiencing physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.
The book talks about topics that are relevant during puberty, like:
- What puberty is and when it starts
- Genitals and their development
- Facial, underarm, body, and pubic hair
- Growth, weight and height
- Food and exercise
- Pimples, body odour, and foot odour
- Erections and penis sizes, masturbation and ejaculation.
- Relationships with family and friends
- Bullying, harassment and abuse
This book mainly talks about the physical changes allowing young boys to understand their own growth and development in a way that’s open, caring, and non-judgmental.
Reflection and Comments
This book does not cover sexual intercourse. The author when writing this book gathered insights from men of all ages about the things they used to deal with when they were going through puberty. This allowed her to approach all the topics in a manner that truly resonates with readers.
It’s also great that the book acknowledges some of the pressures that young boys feel, whether from the media, society, their peers, or their family. As some boys are going through puberty at a younger age books like this are important.
Buy a Copy of This Book
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