No nonsense guide to healthy sex life for teenage girl.

[Oriole]

I'm looking for a book.

Here is the purpose - I want something practical for DSD. I want to read it, make notes on sticky notes (got this idea from someone on this board about a year ago ), and pass it on as a healthy way of approaching sex.

So... Help me pick a book. Please!

The criteria:
* It has to be an easy read. Nothing too preachy.
* It has to touch on pregnancy, yeast infection, STDs, rape, AND emotional side of sex, etc.
* I want the book to lay down some healthy guidelines.

Thanks a bunch!

[readermaid]

I was a teen services librarian a few years ago, so I saw a few of these types of books pass by my desk. I remember liking the Seventeen Guide to Sex and Your Body. Though it must be awfully old now. I really liked Cycle Savvy for it's discussion of charting and whatnot, but I'm not sure it covered all the topics you're looking for.

[lach]

It's not exactly what you're looking for, but there was sooo much in Taking Charge of Your Fertility that I had no clue about, and I was in my late 20's when I read it. Totally inexcusable for me to have been so ignorant about my own body. I totally intend on having my DD read it when she's a teenager.

[Oriole]

Thank you for your advice, I will definitely check both out when I go today to B&N. I did put this one on hold. I can't peak inside, but the reviews for this book are outstanding.

So in case anyone is interested (or wants to comment on my choice?), here it is:

The Guide to Getting it On

[doulatara]

I like S.E.X. the all you need to know progressive sexuality guide to get you through high school and college by Heather Corinna, the founder of scarleteen.com. I will have to check out the one you put on hold, haven't read it yet.

[Teetina]

I bought myself The Guide to Getting it On when I was 19 many years ago. I'm sure it was an earlier printing but I absolutely loved it. It wasn't judgmental and it covered a ton of topics and had lots of diagrams of normal bodies so it was very informative, but my favourite thing was the sense of humor. It wasn't only the typical dry text book stuff that I was usually given as a teen. Also there was a lot of quotes from real people about their experiences and it also talked about technique and positions which as a teen I was dying to know but was way too shy to ask adults about. It talked about other sexual activities you could do if you weren't ready for sex, and about sex-related topics like body image and birth control. I can't remember everything, its been years since I've read it, but I have fond memories of reading cover to cover a few times.

That being said, when I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility I was blown away by all the stuff I didn't know and wasn't taught and I really wish I had read this when I was a teen. The Guide to Getting it On definitely didn't go into so much detail on the menstrual cycle. There's no reason you have to have to get DSD just one book.

[sunnmama]

Consider a copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves, too. It's probably more book than you are looking for, but it covers all you mentioned + birth control, abortion, birth, and more. It was an extremely valuable resource for me in my teens. It is really just an incredibly empowering book for women of any age.

[Oriole]

Yes, Our Bodies Ourselves, has long been even on my own list of the books "to buy", and I am putting together a list for DSD of books to supply before she is off to college

Thank you for everyone's wonderful advice. Keep it coming.

[witch's mom]

There is a book by the same authors as Our Bodies Ourselves, but it's for teenagers. Changing Bodies, Changing Lives, by Ruth Bell. I considered it for my DD, but she's still a bit young. I skimmed it at the library (it's out of print, but you can find it online). Way out of date, but some stuff never goes out of style. It'd be a good pair with a more current book that touches on the current STDs and perhaps some of the nuances of Internet relationships.

[pranamama]

American Girl has some surprisingly good books about various growing up topics. I've seen them at Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books.

[proudmomof4]

I don't have anything to add to the list but I just wanted to let you all know that I'm very glad about this thread. I'm in the process of "sorting my priorities" with my daughter and want to be ready for "boyfriend stuff".

[philomom]

The Joy of Sex covers a good bit about healthy sex lives between couples.

[Llyra]

Originally Posted by witch's mom

There is a book by the same authors as Our Bodies Ourselves, but it's for teenagers. Changing Bodies, Changing Lives, by Ruth Bell. I considered it for my DD, but she's still a bit young. I skimmed it at the library (it's out of print, but you can find it online). Way out of date, but some stuff never goes out of style. It'd be a good pair with a more current book that touches on the current STDs and perhaps some of the nuances of Internet relationships.

I was given that book when I was 15, and it was awesome. If you can get hold of it, it's a great resource for a kid even WAY younger than that. Some of the birth control information might be a little outdated, but you can supplement that with more current info.

[harrietsmama]

This book won't cover all your needs, but I think it really does a great job of covering the emotional aspects and history of societal views and pressures.

My DD is 10 going on 16 and I am rereading in an effort to decide when she is ready for it, but its a collection of stories form all sorts of women, all ages telling about their first time and it's impact, as well as when they finally felt happy in their sex lives and how that came about.