Book Review
A short overview of this book
Crush by Svetlana Chmakova is a fantastic book that helps tweens to understand the awkwardness that comes with liking someone in a romantic way. This is a great book for starting important conversations with kids about the fact that as they go through puberty, that their relationships with their friends will change. And they may start to think about their friends in a romantic way.
A great book and the graphic content means that it is a quick read and very entertaining!
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 11 to 13 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Crush by Svetlana Chmakova from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, I’m Cath Hak, your friendly sex educator. On my YouTube channel and website, I review books that help parents navigate the sometimes tricky waters of sex education with their kids. Today, I want to talk about a lovely book called Crush by Svetlana Chmakova (phew, that’s a mouthful!).
Now, when I say graphic novels, I don’t mean anything X-rated. These are just illustrated books, like the Archie and Jughead comics from back in the day. I really love these kinds of books because they’re quick to read and the pictures really help get the message across. My eleven-year-old son is a big fan too, so we’ve been reading them together.
Crush is a great book for tweens who are starting to see people in a different way. You know, that age when you start developing crushes and thinking about love and relationships. It’s a book about first love, and it’s so relatable. Plus, it’s not just about romance. It also touches on important topics like bullying and online trolling, which are sadly all too common these days.
One thing I really appreciate about books like Crush is that they normalize the experience of growing up. Sometimes, kids can feel like they’re the only ones going through certain things. But this book shows them that they’re not alone. The main character, who happens to be super tall, faces bullying and feeling like a bit of a freak because of it. It’s a powerful message that resonates with kids who might be going through similar struggles.
Now, Crush is centered around a boy liking a girl, but it’s inclusive and features a diverse group of kids from different backgrounds. It’s important for kids to see themselves represented in the stories they read, don’t you think?
I personally really enjoyed reading Crush, and even my 14-year-old daughter liked it too. She did mention that she thought twelve might be a bit young for some of the experiences in the book, but every kid is different. We also talked about how cultural differences can affect when kids start dating and having relationships. It’s fascinating to see how things vary around the world!
Overall, Crush is a delightful book that explores the confusion and excitement of first love. It brought back memories of my own teenage years, and I think it can be a great conversation starter for parents and their kids. Plus, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous!
So, if you’re looking for a quick, entertaining read that tackles important topics, I highly recommend giving Crush a go. I hope this review helps you out. Cheers!
