Quill and Quire

REVIEWS

« Back to
Book Reviews

Growing Up, Inside and Out

by Kira Vermond; Carl Chin, illus.

Veteran journalist and editor Kira Vermond’s excellent Growing Up is a straight-talking guide to the roller coaster of puberty, from the first physical changes to what it means to have a healthy sexual relationship. After a couple of chapters that explain how bodies change (no pictures, but lots of information), Vermond explores broader issues such as body image, bullying, sexual orientation, and depression. Along the way, she includes advice from experts, some background science, and coping strategies, as well as a list of helpful websites for readers eager for more information.

Growing Up is written for both boys and girls, which makes it a little more interesting than other books of this ilk. After all, both sexes are as curious about each other as they are about themselves, and they’ll likely find it reassuring – and maybe surprising – to discover how much they have in common. Though the book is aimed at nine- to 12-year-olds, Vermond points out in her introduction that it is “meant to be by your side for a long time,” and that everyone matures at a different rate, so the true age range is likely a little broader. Younger readers may shy away from some of the information in the book, or find the text a little advanced, but by the time they are 12 or 13, they’ll be in the midst of the changes Vermond explores.

Parents will also benefit from consulting the text as they’re trying to help their tweens and teens through these turbulent years. With this in mind, it’s a good thing the book doesn’t appear lightweight or childish. At first glance, the two-colour, understated design and text-heavy pages seem a little dry, even with the inclusion of a few quirky illustrations by Carl Chin. However, this sophisticated visual approach lends the material more authority, and allows Vermond’s good-humoured, conversational style and abundance of great advice to take centre stage.

 

Reviewer: Cynthia O’Brien

Publisher: Owlkids Books

DETAILS

Price: $18.95

Page Count: 104 pp

Format: Cloth

ISBN: 978-1-92697-389-0

Released: Oct

Issue Date: 2013-10

Categories: Children and YA Non-fiction

Age Range: 9-12