I don't know is a 12 year old really gonna need this book? I read parts and was strongly reminded of "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4". But that book was intentionally funny.
Hm and what's with Marsden's poltically correctness about homosexuality while still underlining male stereotypical attributes?

RELEASE NOTES:

Enjoy!

WOW! That was fast to get here all the way from Germany! I'm looking forward to reading it - interestingly enough, I am just now studying a unit on personality and how it develops in my psychology class.

I had hoped to hand it on to my son, who's about to turn 13, but after your comments, I will make sure to read it first and consider whether to wait. (In that case, it may be on my shelf for a while - but eventually it will make its way to another interested reader!)

Thank you so much, Geegal, for sending it!

Well, I enjoyed it - although I found his comments on parental flaws a bit discomfitting. Really, kids, most of us try as hard as we can to do it right...

It was quite explicit in places, but in a way that I felt was appropriate - just the fact, and strong encouragement to take responsibility for one's own sexuality and actions. Nothing I wouldn't let my kids read, but I'm glad I read it first. I've asked my husband to look through it, too, before I open it up to the boys. I don't want to keep it on my TBR, but it may be here a while until they're ready to read it, so it will grace my RES shelf until the right opportunity comes to pass it along.

If my husband or sons have any comments, I'll make a journal entry for them or encourage them to do so as anonymous finders.

Thanks, Geegal!

Hm - I sometimes forget that my kids are not bookaholics in the same way that I am. I've offered it to them and left it lying around, but so far - no real interest. I finally asked them if I should pass it on, and they thought so.

I am making this Available to other Bookcrossers, as I really don't think it's suitable for a wild release! I'm glad *I* had the chance to read it, anyway!

I have offered this in a draw on the Wish List forum. I'll pick a name on New Year's Day and send it soon afterward.

This arrived today. Thank you so much! I am going to read it and reserve it for a bookbox that I am putting together.

Some of the info seemed useful. It is always good to be responsible and know how the human body works. I thought the author's tone was know-it-all and condescending though. And the drivel about the severe emotional damage parents can do to kids with the Easter Bunny and Santa was a bit much. As if it couldn't possibly be that those are fun traditions, it has to be a psychological control issue on the part of the parent.
I was also surprised that the author thought it necessary to "leave school" to grow up. A quote, "There is no school that allows its students to become adults while they're still within the confines of the school." I don't know anything about colleges in Australia, but having gone to 2 American high schools and 2 American colleges I totally disagree. Both high schools I attended left it up to the students to decide if they were going to apply themselves and how much. I think different communities are different in that regard though as my children go to a school that is overall very attentive to the children's grades. And college is frequently the first true grown up experience for older teens. They choose whether to show up, if they are going to do the work, how to spend their free time and money, ect.
I do agree with the author that more respect should be shown to kids if they are to be expected to behave respectfully. This is an issue with my son's teacher currently. Numerous students are upset with how he addresses them. My son doesn't complain, but his friend told me that when my son had a question, the teacher told him he should already know the answer. When my son tried to explain that he had been out sick (the only time the whole year) when the info was addressed and it wasn't covered in the notes he had made sure to get from a classmate, the teacher wouldn't even let him speak and interrupted him with, "No excuses." He is pretty low-key about stuff like this, but many kids in his class are afraid to even ask questions and grades are suffering for at least 3 students that I know are responsible and have done very well in the past. So, yes, that is an example of adults being disrespectful towards kids and it leading to the kids probably behaving worse by example and resentment. Then grown ups will walk around shaking their heads and complaining about the bad behavior of kids today.

Some of the books was informative, but I probably wouldn't have bothered finishing it if it wasn't short and I couldn't get through it quickly. There was no real new info and it was delivered mostly as solid facts though rife with opinions and nothing to back them up.

I am putting together a bookbox and am going to include this book.

RELEASE NOTES:

I have included this book in my "Well Traveled" Bookbox.

Arrived in a well-traveled bookbox. I am putting back in and can't wait to see it's travels!

This arrived in guinaveve's well travelled bookbox and guinaveve was kind enough to offer it to me to keep. My husband is a scout leader, and our son is 10 now so it came at a good time. My husband is interested in reading it, and hopefully he'll find things in it to pass to his pack. We will also see if our son is interested, he's a reader and fascinated with the growing up process.

Thank you again guinaveve!