"I kept wanting it to happen. When it did I remember thinking, 'It's about time.'"

"I was worried at first. Then it really wasn't so bad after all."

"I remember my brothers weren't allowed to hit me in the chest anymore. I was kind of pleased about that."

What mysterious condition are these now grown-up girls talking about? Ah, yes, puberty! With scads of personal stories and an abundance of useful, detailed information about girls' changing bodies and feelings, author Lynda Madaras and her daughter Area Madaras have expanded their guide for girls on the verge of change. First published in 1983, the bestselling classic has been revised and updated several times over the years to keep up with ever evolving facts and wisdom about puberty in girls. In this third edition, the authors continue their straight talk on the menstrual cycle, reproductive organs, breasts, emotional changes, puberty in boys, body hair, pimples, masturbation, and all the other fun, scary, and interesting things that go along with growing up. Filled with anecdotes, illustrations, diagrams, and honest, sensitive, nonjudgmental information for the young girl, the revised edition also addresses the new scientific facts about when a girl actually begins puberty (earlier than previously thought), advice on "female athletic syndrome," eating disorders, unwanted attention because of early development, and information on eating right, exercise, AIDS, STDs, birth control, and so much more. A welcome, reassuring book for parents and daughters, designed with the understanding that some girls and parents will want to read it together, and some will want to read it on their own; without a doubt, though, all will benefit. Got boys? Don't miss What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys. (Ages 8 to 15) --Emilie Coulter


Charlotte News Observer
A valuable guide for any parent who is looking for a positive way to approach the subject of sexuality.


From Booklist
Reviewed with Lynda Madaras' The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys. Gr. 4-8. In these new editions of her classic guides, Madaras has made significant changes to reflect the younger age at which children are now reaching puberty. She has cut out the chapters about sex, birth control, pregnancy, and STDs, although she includes a rich appendix of resources on these topics. Mostly, the books concentrate on the physical changes that occur during puberty, with new chapters designed to serve as "owners manuals": in Boys, there's new information about shaving and answers to questions about penis size; in Girls, there's an expanded "all about having periods" section. As in the previous editions, the tone is matter-of-fact and comforting, and Madaras has further simplified the sentence structure and word choices, in some cases perhaps too much; the section on sexual harassment, for example, is somewhat vague and slightly unfocused. Overall, however, these are excellent new editions that make fine resources even more accessible to a young audience. Sure to encourage dialogue between kids and parents. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Excerpt from a fan letter to Lynda Madaras
Your book is just fantastic; absolutely excellent...I couldn't believe you, a mom, knew this stuff.


Excerpt from a letter to Lynda Madaras
I already feel much more confident about answering my 7-year-old daughter's questions as they arise in the years to come.


Book Description
The best book on puberty for 9-15 year old girls completely updated for the first time in 12 years! Selected as a "Best Book for Young Adults" by the American Library Association--The classic puberty education book for 9-15 year-old girls (over 500,000 copies sold), now thoroughly updated and freshly redesigned for the first time in 12 years. Now for the first time since the medical journal Pediatrics published its news-making, large-scale study indicating that puberty begins in girls even earlier than previously believed, Lynda Madaras has thoroughly rewritten, updated and expanded her classic book to address the younger girl and her concerns. As before, in age appropriate-language, the book covers the body's changing size and shape, breasts, the reproductive organs, the menstrual cycle, pubic hair, and includes a full chapter on puberty in boys. Reacting to the thousands of letters Madaras receives from kids all over the world, with a multitude of questions, as well as with new research data, she has made changes as follows: * more discussion on when a girl will begin puberty * more on the emotional and physical development and how that compares to other girls of the same age. Also what to do with unwanted attention because of early development * new sections on diet, exercise, and health, with help on avoiding weight problems and eating disorders; avoiding unhealthy uses of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco * discussion of the " female athletic syndrome" * more practical advice on products from treating acne to menstruation protection to sports bras * internet resources that will guide the younger and older girls to more explicit, appropriate-to-their-age information on romance, sex, contraception, STDs, pregnancy, and multiple births. Over 1,200,000 copies of Lynda Madaras books sold!


Card catalog description
Discusses the changes that take place in a girl's body during puberty, including information on the body's changing size and shape, pubic hair, breasts, the reproductive organs, the menstrual cycle, and puberty in boys.


About the Author
Lynda 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. Area Madaras was just 11 when she assisted her mother with the first "What's Happening to My Body?" book, published in 1983. (In fact, Lynda began to write it with her daughter, when she realized that there was no book available to give to Area at that time of her life.) In the ensuing years, Area has collaborated and continues to consult with her mother on other books in the Series. She has an M.A. in Communications from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California, and has been working for six years in Internet site and content development. She lives in California.

ANNOTATION

Discusses the changes that take place in a girl's body during puberty, including information on the body's changing size and shape, pubic hair, breasts, the reproductive organs, the menstrual cycle, and puberty in boys.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The best book on puberty for 9-15 year old girls completely updated for the first time in 12 years! Selected as a "Best Book for Young Adults" by the American Library Association—The classic puberty education book for 9-15 year-old girls (over 500,000 copies sold), now thoroughly updated and freshly redesigned for the first time in 12 years. Now for the first time since the medical journal Pediatrics published its news-making, large-scale study indicating that puberty begins in girls even earlier than previously believed, Lynda Madaras has thoroughly rewritten, updated and expanded her classic book to address the younger girl and her concerns. As before, in age appropriate-language, the book covers the body's changing size and shape, breasts, the reproductive organs, the menstrual cycle, pubic hair, and includes a full chapter on puberty in boys. Reacting to the thousands of letters Madaras receives from kids all over the world, with a multitude of questions, as well as with new research data, she has made changes as follows:* more discussion on when a girl will begin puberty * more on the emotional and physical development and how that compares to other girls of the same age. Also what to do with unwanted attention because of early development * new sections on diet, exercise, and health, with help on avoiding weight problems and eating disorders; avoiding unhealthy uses of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco * discussion of the " female athletic syndrome" * more practical advice on products from treating acne to menstruation protection to sports bras * internet resources that will guide the younger and older girls to more explicit,appropriate-to-their-age information on romance, sex, contraception, STDs, pregnancy, and multiple births.

Over 1,200,000 copies of Lynda Madaras books sold!

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature

This updated third edition contains a wealth of information for young girls and their parents about puberty and the emotional and physical changes that occur during this complex transformation. The authors use honest, informal language along with engaging anecdotes, helpful quotations, detailed illustrations, labeled diagrams, and charts to address timely topics¾male and female reproductive organs, menstruation, breast development, bras, body hair, stages of puberty, masturbation, height and weight spurts, perspiration, pimples, hormones, romantic feelings, and much more. The advice is practical, with easy-to-understand definitions and stories of real-life experiences, and this expanded volume also contains information about "female athletic syndrome," early development issues, body types, eating disorders, exercise, balanced nutrition, AIDS, STDs, and birth control. This comprehensive puberty education book is perfect for parents who are looking for a positive, reassuring way to address a challenging topic with their young daughters. It is a valuable learning tool for all families and shouldn't be missed. A new edition of The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys is also available. 2000, Newmarket Press, $12.95. Ages 8 to 15. Reviewer: Debra Briatico

VOYA