Young Men's Health Page
Book Reviews
Girls Speak Out: Finding Your
True Self
Andrea Johnston, with an introduction by Gloria Steinem
Published 1997 by Scholastic
Reviewed by Kendra Crispin, 18
The Girls Speak Out program was created to help girls - and even women - of every social strata explore issues crucial to their sense of self. Girls find their true selves, and some women rediscover the girl who still lives inside them. Featuring excerpts from Girls Speak Out meetings all over the country, poetry and stories from the girls who have participated in the program, excerpts from the works of women authors, and transcripts from the "talk shows" that Girls Speak Out groups have staged, this is a good read for any girl who feels she needs to find herself. Read stories and poems from all over the world, and real stories that will show you that you can overcome anything.
Girltalk: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told
You (Third edition)
Carol Weston
Published 1997 by HarperPernnial
Reviewed by Kendra Crispin, 18
Carol Weston presents a source of information for girls ages ten to nineteen. Stories from girls of every teen year are in each chapter, along with letters to Carol and her answers to them. Read up-to-date, wise, warm, and witty advice on every topic important to teenage girls. Whether the topic is your body, friendship, love, sex, family, money, education, or smoking and drinking and drugs, Carol Weston gives advice without lectures, and through the stories of many girls, shows you that you are not alone. Near the end of the book, you'll also find the following quizzes: Are You *Too* Nice? How Well Do You Know Your Best Friend? Are You and He a Good Match? And Are You the Jealous Type? You can learn a lot about yourself by reading this book.
It's a Girl Thing: How to Stay Healthy,
Safe, and in Charge
Mavis Jukes
Published 1996 by Alfred A. Knopf
Reviewed by Kendra Crispin, 18
Have you ever wished that you could hear the frank truth about the changes happening to your body and life, but felt that nothing was out there? Mavis Jukes' It's a Girl Thing will answer many of your questions. In the late 1950s, eleven-year-old Mavis belonged to the Ladies' Business Club with one other member: her mother. "The club rules were these: I could come into the bathroom when my mom was bathing or going to the bathroom, but she couldn't when I was." She uses the same attitude to provide useful information in a funny, genuine, straightforward, reassuring way about female development and sexuality while respecting her adolescent readers' sensitivities and sensibilities. Read the answers to your questions on puberty, sexuality, and just plain girl things. Though it is written for girls in the awkward pre- and early-teen years, older teens can find it a refreshing read.
Like it is: A Teen Sex Guide
E. James Lieberman, MD and Karen Lieberman Troccoli, MPH
Published 1998 by McFarland and Company
Reviewed by Lisa Williams, 17
Recommended for mature teens.
If you are sick of glossy, ambiguous information on sex, this book may be perfect. Published in 1998, Like It Is: A Teen Sex Guide provides, current, easy to understand information on various topics ranging from abstinence, disease, birth control, and more. Authors, E. James Lieberman and Karen Lieberman Troccoli, present information in a non-biased way. It may, however, make some teens feel uncomfortable. The information presented is concise and direct; the authors do not attempt to hide behind fancy language or preachy sermons. The book presents the facts in an effective method. Each chapter includes an introduction, stories about teenagers in a relevant situation, and frequently asked questions. In addition, chapters (which may seem to go on forever) about different contraceptives include information about the history of the contraceptive as well as how it works, effectiveness, safety, and side effects. Overall, this book is definitely helpful in answering many unanswered, and often embarrassing questions.
Ophelia Speaks: Adolescent Girls Write
About Their Search for Self
Sara Shandler
Published 1999 by Harper Perennial
Reviewed by Lisa Williams, 17
Ophelia Speaks is a compilation of stories from teenagers around the country in response to Mary Pipher's Reviving Ophelia. Stories range from topics about body image, family, depression, academic pressure, sexuality, and friendship. Author Sara Shandler introduces each chapter, and the introduction is followed by various stories. Many of the stories are touching, emotional, insightful, and poignant. Topics covered in the book are common to many teenage girls. The stories allow us to realize that in our feelings, we are not alone. Shandler's commentary, however, often detracts from the purpose of the book. Although that she states in the introduction that she does not wish to categorize all teenage girls as having these same experiences, her commentary often directly contradicts that. According to Shandler, partying with alcohol and marijuana "feels like an adolescent rite of acceptance." For many of us it may; for many of us partying and having fun includes neither alcohol or drugs. In addition, Shandler refers to abstinence as "out-of-touch" and labels individual experiences as "typical." Her commentary can frustrate readers and detract from the overall valuable message. Ophelia Speaks can, however, open our eyes and our hearts to the complex problems that all of us face. Our problems are shared by teenagers across the country, even the world. We must keep in mind, however, that not being able to relate to all of the experiences discussed in Ophelia Speaks is just as common and just as important.
Teenage Survival Manual
H. Samm Coombs
Published 1995 by Halo Books
Reviewed by Kendra Crispin, 18
Most people know that the teenage years are some of the hardest years of a person's life, and in an age of kamikaze kids, a guide to safely making it through is important. The self-destructive behavior of today's teens threatens to put the world's most valuble resource on the list of endangered species. Adults have booby-trapped the teen years with all kinds of pitfalls. It's no wonder that many of teens act like there's no tomorrow, but this book may change that. "Teenage Survival Manual" is for both boys and girls, an easy read that does not give lectures and has very little preaching. Offering a sympathetic overview of growing up, Teenage Survival Manual is a manual for surviving the frequently difficult teenage years.
When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide
for Depressed Teens
Bev Cobain, R.N.,C.
Published 1998 by Free Spirit Publishing
Reviewed by Kendra Crispin, 18
In 1994, rock star Kurt Cobain ended his struggle with depression and drugs by taking his own life. Bev Cobain is Kurt's cousin. This book is her way of making sense of his death and reaching out to teens who are sad, discouraged, or depressed. Part I, "What's Wrong?", describes the causes and types of depression, and the connections between depression, suicide, and drug and alcohol use. Part II, "Getting Help and Staying Well," discusses different kinds of professional treatment, how they help, and how to stay healthy. Throughout the book are personal stories from teens who have dealt with depression, survival tips, resources, and the truth about depression. If you are a depressed teen, or you know a teen who is depressed, then get this book. You will be doing yourself or a friend/family member a huge favor.
Want more books? Check this out!
In Honor of Girls: Adolescent Girls and Self-Esteem
Karen Lippert, MLS
If you're interested in how to boost your own self esteem, or how to help a friend who needs boost, this site can help. It provides an annotated list of books that focus on why adolescence can be so damaging to a girl's self-esteem. If you like to read, here you go!
The information provided offers the views of individual authors and does not necessarily represent or imply approval or recommendation by OHSU or by your health care provider. Questions about your unique medical condition and circumstances can only be answered by your health care provider.
Last updated January 13, 2006 by the OHSU Reference Department. Please send any comments, suggestions, or ideas for this Web page to .