Nonfiction Books
The following books were chosen because they are informative, unbiased, well organized, occasionally funny, and provide additional resources.
They will include first person case studies with advice on relationships, and factual information on safe sex, STDs, reproduction, alternatives to intercourse, abortion, adoption, puberty, and learning how to manage your developing sexuality.
There is a lot to read in this fat book. Real teens wrote in letters about their concerns and the author responded. Everything about relationships comes up, from falling in love to breaking up and starting over. There are some poetry selections and silly comics too.
Sweet pictures of real teen couples accompany their stories on how they got together and what they like about each other.
This is a medium sized paperback, and if you can get past the stupid cover art the information inside is straightforward advice on relationships. There are also quizzes at the end of each chapter to help you determine the answers to a variety of questions, like; Is it time to give him the boot? or Is he second date material? The chapters are titled in teen speak: Teen Talk, Majorly Crushed, Flirt Alert, Dating Game, Bad Behavior, Getting Serious, Lets Get Physical, Reach Out and Touch Someone, Unconventional Love, Decidedly Dumped and Life Without Guys. All in all, a fun read. The author is up for a chat and feedback at www.GuysExpert@aol.com
Close to an encyclopedia for teens on physical and emotional health and personal relationships with explicit detail (for example, 25 pages on STDs), Changing Bodies covers everything that teens could possibly need and want to know. It is big and thick, and looks like a reference book, though real teens share and give advice in a nonjudgmental way. Illustrations are black and white photos and detailed pen and ink drawings. Great source for research papers on teen health issues.
A high school teacher wrote this book, so it sort of reads like a textbook with a question and answer format. Along with some realistic anatomy drawings, there are funny black and white comics sprinkled throughout to help ease up on the serious tone of the content. There is lots of detailed information, nothing is left out; the last chapter is on street talk/sex slang. The extensive bibliography will lead you to other great books.
The fun part about this skinny, picture book is the comical bird and bee characters in watercolor and pencil art that accompany the content. For example, one says, “So the condoms are rubbers.” The other responds, “But not like the ones you wear in the rain!” The illustrations are frank, yet sensitive, representations of people with their clothes on or off. Just about everything you need to know is covered, including relationships, pregnancy, laws on abortion, family planning options, sexually transmitted diseases, homosexuality and heterosexuality.
Totally weird cover art matches the weird title, beyond that the book has everything for teens from relationships, sex and health to future endeavors like, college and making money. The chapters are titled “Getting: It On, Together, Physical, Powerful, Over It, Cool, Ahead.”
The cover sucks because it says “Life basically sucks,” but who wants to advertise private thoughts like that, even if it may be true? Anyway, this book is mostly about relationships and reads like a teen magazine advice column with advice from a girl and guy; the authors monitor the Alloy.com email advice. Questions are answered tactfully, though you may want to consult another resource for more in-depth health information at times. The pages are red, white and blue and the graphics are stylized, but cute.
This is a thought provoking book with short and to the point opposing viewpoint essays on teen attitudes toward sex, reproductive rights, teen pregnancy, sex education and school-based clinics.
A handy little paperback, this book reads like a novel. Everything a girl needs to know about her body, relationships, sex and sexuality are here. A few hotlines and other resources are included, with an extensive bibliography.
Not sure which came first, the web site (www.gurl.com) or the book but they both look the same, lots of bright yellow, pink, purple and black. However, the book has lots of information on everything that has to do with girl’s health, psychology, sexuality, and romance and you can read it in private. Not only is there lots of relevant advice and facts but there is also a section on guys. At the end of each chapter additional resources are listed, like hotlines for STD’s and AIDS and websites galore offering more advice and support. If you have a specific question go to the detailed index, it will get you where you need to go.
Wow, this book explains from the scientific perspective what is going on with guys during adolescence and why they think and do the things they do. Information on brain development, hormones and testosterone help make sense of what’s happening. The best advice is in “Getting Him to Talk” and “Deciding about Sex.” Guys could read it too.
From periods, dental exams, smoking and alcohol to stuff on sex, pregnancy, birth control, masturbation and STDs, this handy little paperback covers everything young adults need to know in a no-nonsense manner.
This book reads like a glossy magazine with real photography, not graphic art. Everything you need to know about basic health, social life, looking good, sex, pregnancy, abortion is here. Along with the facts, it may seem a little preachy at times, but it’s usually good advice. There is also a list of questions to ask yourself if you think you are ready to have sex.
This is a skinny paperback that covers everything a girl’s body may go through, even information on bladder and yeast infections. It’s a little brief, but to the point and uses a question and answer format. You’ll find lists on “How to say no,” and suggestions on how not to get pregnant if you are sexually active.
A humorous, sarcastic and painless read, this text makes clever use of fonts and slang in bold print to jazz up the pages, along with a funny cartoon character who acts the straight man. The chapters are about surviving: love and sex, bodily changes, ups and downs and social life. Advice on dating will suggest how to ask a girl out and what to say when the relationship is over. At the end of the book is a list of resources (books, web sites, hot lines) to check out for more support.
A funny, easy read with comical characters and illustrations. This book describes the physical and emotional changes that occur in boys (and, to a lesser extent, in girls) during puberty and discusses sexual activity, homosexuality, and other related topics.
This small paperback is straight-talk about what happens to guy’s bodies and mind during puberty. Also, there is stuff on relationships, sex, love and dealing with parents, with some comic relief cartoons here and there.
This is a thin, square paperback that looks like a school notebook with handouts. It’s just the facts about guys and what happens physically during adolescence.