Book Review
A short overview of this book
Puberty is Gross but Also really Awesome by Gina Loveless is a fantastic inclusive guide for tweens about puberty, which makes it ideal for transgender and non-binary tweens too! Puberty books for transgender and non-binary kids are very uncommon, and this book fills the gap perfectly!
Despite the title being negative about puberty, I really, really liked this book. It is factual but also humorous which means it could be a good one for those kids that don’t want to read a puberty book (or any book a parent might choose). It is also perfect for younger children as it doesn’t discuss sex. I really do hope this author writes a book for older children about sex.
This book DOES NOT talk about sexual intercourse.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 9 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Puberty is Gross but Also really Awesome by Gina Loveless from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hak. I’m here to help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about sex. Today, I want to share my excitement about this amazing book I recently discovered called Puberty is Gross But Also Really Awesome by Gina Loveless.
Now, American Girl books are pretty safe and vanilla, not really diving into the nitty-gritty of sex. But this book takes the American Girl style and adds a whole lot more information. It covers topics like masturbation and same-sex attraction, but in a non-sexualized way.
The focus of this book is on puberty, not just sex. What’s really great about it is that it’s inclusive, which is hard to find in puberty books. It even has a section on gender, which is a rarity. So if you have a nonbinary, transgender, or gender-fluid child, this book is perfect for them.
Let me quickly walk you through the chapters and what’s inside. It’s funny, humorous, and written beautifully. It talks about the changes that happen with breasts, penises, testicles, scrotums, and vulvas. It covers menstruation and other period products, although I did notice it doesn’t mention period pants, which is a bit surprising considering it’s a fairly recent book.
The book also touches on body hair, getting taller, developing armpit hair, and dealing with sweat. It goes beyond just physical changes and explores topics like gender expression, gender identity, and sexual expression. It’s so refreshing to see a puberty book that includes these important discussions in such a gentle and simple way.
But it doesn’t stop there! The book also covers other crucial aspects of adolescence, like the importance of sleep, nutrition, and mental health. It addresses confidence, bullying, crushes, consent, harassment, and abuse. It even touches on staying safe online and managing screen time, although it doesn’t delve into the topic of porn.
Towards the end, there’s a section that covers various smaller topics that didn’t get their own chapter. Overall, this book is brilliant! It strikes the perfect balance between being casual, fun, and inclusive. I’m so impressed that I’m ordering my own copy, and I can’t believe I waited so long to check it out.
If you’re looking for a book that’s informative, engaging, and covers a wide range of puberty-related topics, this is the one to grab. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. I hope this review has been helpful to you!
