Book Review
A short overview of this book
Beyond Puberty by Kerri Isham is a workbook that gives adolescents information about what happens after puberty ie love, sex and relationships.
By workbook, I mean that it is a book that you write in, with lots of activities to be completed. It also has lots of factual information that is very easy to understand.
This book is very comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics, including: support people (who you can talk to), your reproductive parts (inside and outside), what happens during puberty, how to look after your body (breasts and testicles), public and private, masturbation, gender, boundaries (consent and touch), knowing the boundaries of others (laws, sexual harassment), sexting, porn, different types of relationships, dating, sharing your body, and keeping safe.
Depending on the ability of your child, this book could be used independently or you could work through it together.
The book was created as a resource to be used with youth/adults with special needs, but the author has also used it with neurotypical people as well.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about puberty.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 12 to 16 years.
Buy this book
✅ You can buy a copy of Beyond Puberty by Kerri Isham from her website – Power Up Workshops.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. It’s a website and blog where you can find tons of information to help parents have better conversations with their kids about sex. I also have a YouTube channel with lots of videos that can guide you in having open and honest discussions.
Today, I want to tell you about a fantastic book called Beyond Puberty by Kerri Isham. Kerri is a Canadian sex educator who creates amazing resources for her workshops. You can get the book in print or as a digital copy. I actually ordered the PDF version to save on postage all the way from Australia!
Now, this book is designed for kids from grade six all the way to adulthood, and it’s even great for individuals with special needs. But you know what? It’s also perfect for neurotypical people too! Whether they want to go through it on their own or with the help of a teacher or parent, there’s a wealth of information inside.
Beyond Puberty covers not only sex education but also protective behaviors. It starts off by helping kids identify their support system and understanding their body parts. There are illustrations of both male and female organs, so everything is clear and easy to grasp. It also talks about puberty, how to take care of your body, and even touches on topics like masturbation.
But that’s not all! This book goes beyond the basics. It delves into important subjects like gender and consent. It explains boundaries, the law, and even addresses issues like sexual harassment and the dangers of sharing private parts online. It also tackles topics like sexting and porn, providing a well-rounded perspective.
One of the standout features of Beyond Puberty is that it explores healthy and unhealthy relationships. It helps kids understand what makes a good relationship and covers areas like dating and sharing their bodies. It also emphasizes the importance of staying safe and being aware of risks.
I wish I could show you all the illustrations and activities packed into this book. Trust me, there’s a lot! It’s a valuable tool for starting conversations with your kids about love, dating, decision making, intimacy, friendship, and, of course, sex. It covers all those important topics that we need to address as parents.
Kerri Isham has other books too, like ones specifically about puberty and protective behaviors for primary school-aged kids. She even has a new book on porn that I’m excited to check out. Once I’ve had a good look at it, I’ll be sure to share my thoughts with you.
It’s great that this book includes discussions on porn and sexting because these are conversations we absolutely need to have. As you can see, Beyond Puberty is a fantastic resource with a wealth of information. I hope this gives you a good idea of what it’s all about.
Cheers, and happy reading!
