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Young Women of Faith Library #2
The Body Book
The transition from young girl to teenager makes the 'tween' years a time of great change -- especially in the body department! For all of the questions adolescence raises, The Body Book gives girls the scoop on everything from puberty and cramps to diet and exercise. Filled with fun magazine-type quizzes and imaginative activities, The Body Book not only offers accurate up-to-date information on personal issues that tween girls experience, but also shares it from a positive biblical perspective.
112 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
33 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Nancy N. Rue
224 books291 followersNancy Rue is the author of over 100 books for adults and teens, including the Christy Award-winning The Reluctant Prophet, Unexpected Dismounts and Healing Waters (with Steve Arterburn), which was the 2009 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She travels extensively—at times on the back of a Harley—speaking to and teaching groups of women of all ages. Nancy lives on a lake in Tennessee with her Harley-ridin’ husband, Jim, and their two yellow Labs (without whom writing would be difficult).
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 18, 2023
This is a perfect book for young girls going into or in the beginning stages of puberty. I have a nine year old and this book is great at explaining periods and the female body in a way she can understand. I also appreciate how Nancy Rue explains the female body/functions and then ties in how “it’s a God thing” with scripture references. I recommend reading this with your daughter if you want factual information and a Christian perspective on it all!
December 9, 2019
This book helps me with my self esteem. It totally boosted my self confidence. ❤💜😎
I love this book because it helps me have good feelings for myself. And it helps me plan for puberty.
I love this book because it helps me have good feelings for myself. And it helps me plan for puberty.
March 31, 2020
I have an 11 year old daughter. She has two sisters ages 9 and 8. So as you can imagine, I have some interesting days ahead! In addition to very open and honest talks with my daughter, I began looking for some good resources to help my daughters through this transition time as they mature into womanhood. Some books I saw gave too much information, complete with explicit pictures, and those would not have been appropriate for the very first introduction to puberty. Some that I saw gave good information, but also included standards that were not conservative (like how to have a clean tattoo or how pink hair might be just your way of expressing yourself. [sigh]) Some had only physiological information and nothing from a spiritual standpoint. I settled on this one and I’ve been happy with it.
My daughter enjoyed reading it, first of all. It was made for the tween age. It’s not boring. It’s not long. Nancy Rue set it up as a devotional book. There are lots of places to write and make check lists. There are only nine chapters about what is going on with her body. While the pages are filled with cartoon pictures, none are explicit. There are no illustrations of a naked or near-naked body. The most personal pictures would be a drawing of the uterus and ovaries, drawings of maxi pads, tampons, and bras (not on a girl). There is talk of menstruation and body anatomy and changes. Let’s just say there is enough information in there to make a boy blush. Nancy Rue didn’t go into ALL there is to know. There is no information about the mechanics of sex, neither is there any information about a boy’s changes. And I liked that. I prefer to talk about that myself with my daughter. Mostly, though there is a LOT about attitude during emotional times, keeping the temple of the Holy Spirit healthy, and drawing near to God.
So this was a good book to start off this season in life. It opened the door for my daughter to ask me more questions and for me to keep those doors open with her. I look forward to reviewing her other books in this series.
Read more of my book reviews on MostlySensible.com.
My daughter enjoyed reading it, first of all. It was made for the tween age. It’s not boring. It’s not long. Nancy Rue set it up as a devotional book. There are lots of places to write and make check lists. There are only nine chapters about what is going on with her body. While the pages are filled with cartoon pictures, none are explicit. There are no illustrations of a naked or near-naked body. The most personal pictures would be a drawing of the uterus and ovaries, drawings of maxi pads, tampons, and bras (not on a girl). There is talk of menstruation and body anatomy and changes. Let’s just say there is enough information in there to make a boy blush. Nancy Rue didn’t go into ALL there is to know. There is no information about the mechanics of sex, neither is there any information about a boy’s changes. And I liked that. I prefer to talk about that myself with my daughter. Mostly, though there is a LOT about attitude during emotional times, keeping the temple of the Holy Spirit healthy, and drawing near to God.
So this was a good book to start off this season in life. It opened the door for my daughter to ask me more questions and for me to keep those doors open with her. I look forward to reviewing her other books in this series.
Read more of my book reviews on MostlySensible.com.
October 28, 2024
not good.
This book is one in a long line of puberty books that in an attempt to make menstruation less frightening downplays the risks and likelihood of menstrual dysfunction. The writing is very weird bordering on fetishising womanhood as opposed to treating puberty as a neutral phase in physical development.
This book is one in a long line of puberty books that in an attempt to make menstruation less frightening downplays the risks and likelihood of menstrual dysfunction. The writing is very weird bordering on fetishising womanhood as opposed to treating puberty as a neutral phase in physical development.
November 11, 2021
this book is awesome. my mom 1st gave it to me in 6 grade. it really helped me b/c i got my period soon afterward. now my friends are starting to get theirs and im slowly walking them through it. this fri im gonna let my friend borrow it.
March 14, 2013
THE BODY BOOK by Nancy Rue is a totally adorable, interactive, fun guide for girls and young preteen women to be educated on puberty and gently coached to understand and accept the changes they will encounter in their bodies as well as the potential reactions from those around them that could be discomforting. Presented in a whimsical format mirroring that of a magazine geared towards children, this book did a great job presenting information in a variety of ways that is sure to keep young minds entertained and enlightened up until the last page.
Obviously, given the publisher and the author, this is geared towards those with a specific Christian belief system, complete with inspirational Bible verses, affirmations, and prayers to aid girls in making things easier during a potentially confusing times in their lives. That said, I do think that the book may still have an appeal to a more general audience as well, although it does prescribe to traditional gender roles as commonly emphasized in the Christian faith.
THE BODY BOOK presents a series of fun quizzes that will be undeniably appealing to a young audience, as I clearly remember finding little magazine quizzes particularly charming when I was at the age that is primarily targeted by this book. Additionally, there are drawings, lists, journal suggestions, Bible verses, and personalized prayers in each segment that keep things interesting and flowing.
Some of the topics covered are:
- How to assemble a kit of everything you'll need once you start your period
- How to choose a tampon or maxi-pad
- How to know when to start wearing a bra and what size and style to choose
- Healthy eating and exercise plans
- Eating disorders and body image problems
Throughout the book, the author continually reminds the reader of the importance that a positive, Godly attitude plays in each and every section of life. Various tips and suggestions are given to help young girls make sure they are not falling into patterns of negativity and insecurity.
I appreciate having the opportunity to read an e-galley copy of this book and I thank the publisher for allowing me to give my thoughts on this work.
Obviously, given the publisher and the author, this is geared towards those with a specific Christian belief system, complete with inspirational Bible verses, affirmations, and prayers to aid girls in making things easier during a potentially confusing times in their lives. That said, I do think that the book may still have an appeal to a more general audience as well, although it does prescribe to traditional gender roles as commonly emphasized in the Christian faith.
THE BODY BOOK presents a series of fun quizzes that will be undeniably appealing to a young audience, as I clearly remember finding little magazine quizzes particularly charming when I was at the age that is primarily targeted by this book. Additionally, there are drawings, lists, journal suggestions, Bible verses, and personalized prayers in each segment that keep things interesting and flowing.
Some of the topics covered are:
- How to assemble a kit of everything you'll need once you start your period
- How to choose a tampon or maxi-pad
- How to know when to start wearing a bra and what size and style to choose
- Healthy eating and exercise plans
- Eating disorders and body image problems
Throughout the book, the author continually reminds the reader of the importance that a positive, Godly attitude plays in each and every section of life. Various tips and suggestions are given to help young girls make sure they are not falling into patterns of negativity and insecurity.
I appreciate having the opportunity to read an e-galley copy of this book and I thank the publisher for allowing me to give my thoughts on this work.
May 29, 2013
Several years ago I was talking to a friend about not having a clue what to say to my daughter when she came to ‘that’ age and my friend said — I got a book. Well, when I grabbed this book from Netgalley I was thinking it would be a cute read but I didn’t even get through two chapters before I realized that it was definitely the book for my house.
This book walked us through all of the changes going on and explained to her in a factual but fun way why and how. It made the whole maturing process less fearsome and more awesome.
The Body Book walks you through each of the steps of change and helps you to see where you are in the process and lets you know the things your going to need to deal with in the near future. It also helps to know when you’re going to need the help of an adult and when you can handle it on your own.
This book is great for the girls to read by themselves, though, we really did enjoy reading a chapter a week and discussing it fully before moving on to the next section.
Thank you so much, Nancy Rue!!
More…
Author: Nancy Rue
Source: Tommy Nelson via Netgalley
Grade: A+
Ages: 7-15
This book walked us through all of the changes going on and explained to her in a factual but fun way why and how. It made the whole maturing process less fearsome and more awesome.
The Body Book walks you through each of the steps of change and helps you to see where you are in the process and lets you know the things your going to need to deal with in the near future. It also helps to know when you’re going to need the help of an adult and when you can handle it on your own.
This book is great for the girls to read by themselves, though, we really did enjoy reading a chapter a week and discussing it fully before moving on to the next section.
Thank you so much, Nancy Rue!!
More…
Author: Nancy Rue
Source: Tommy Nelson via Netgalley
Grade: A+
Ages: 7-15
February 11, 2016
Traditional expectations, from shaving your legs to getting married, limit the choices of the young Christian women who are the intended audience of this book. I have no objection to consulting God about why you have the smallest boobs in your class ("I know I'm supposed to like my body just the way You made it, but I need Your help with that"), but I find the gender roles and attitudes in this book unhelpful:
"Will You make me a little gladder about being a girl?"
Just ignore brothers and other boys who might make fun of your developing body - this is infuriating, and a couple of other books make a point of saying that you don't have to put up with this.
"What if I get my period at a soccer game - and the coach is a man?!" (The correct answer is that no guy who coaches girls' soccer is going to be completely unprepared for such an eventuality, but this book is completely ok with making sure no fella ever twigs to the idea that you might be a mature female.)
"Will You make me a little gladder about being a girl?"
Just ignore brothers and other boys who might make fun of your developing body - this is infuriating, and a couple of other books make a point of saying that you don't have to put up with this.
"What if I get my period at a soccer game - and the coach is a man?!" (The correct answer is that no guy who coaches girls' soccer is going to be completely unprepared for such an eventuality, but this book is completely ok with making sure no fella ever twigs to the idea that you might be a mature female.)
May 18, 2018
I bought five books in this series (I think) a few months ago when I saw then for like 50 cents each. I finally started taking the time to read them, but I've owned this one before and found it right before I moved. So I have two copies.
This is a great book for girls who are becoming young women and for them to understand puberty. Obviously, this is aimed at tweens. I'm glad it is because, although it's not necessarily inappropriate, it does explain what parts of your body does and that wouldn't be appropriate for a boy.
It was kind of a refresher to read, reminding me to take care of myself and keep myself healthy (which I'm guilty of not doing). Although I feel like most of the great info in this book no longer applies to me, since I know practically everything in it, it's still something that'd be worth reading.
This is a great book for girls who are becoming young women and for them to understand puberty. Obviously, this is aimed at tweens. I'm glad it is because, although it's not necessarily inappropriate, it does explain what parts of your body does and that wouldn't be appropriate for a boy.
It was kind of a refresher to read, reminding me to take care of myself and keep myself healthy (which I'm guilty of not doing). Although I feel like most of the great info in this book no longer applies to me, since I know practically everything in it, it's still something that'd be worth reading.
September 24, 2017
This was a great book for prepubescent girls to learn about what to expect in puberty. I love how it was very positive about the beauty of the woman's body and how her cycle is an important and good thing. This book is good at encouraging loving and respecting your body as God created it to be. It was easy to read with clear concise answers for young girls to the questions they may have and encouraged girls to discuss questions and concerns with a trusted woman (ideally their mom, but listed ways to find other good options, if talking to mom is not an option). I can see how girls would easily read and relate to this book with it's facts, Q&As, tips and journal prompts.
This book has made the cut as one of the books I will utilize to help my three girls navigate puberty.
This book has made the cut as one of the books I will utilize to help my three girls navigate puberty.
December 16, 2012
This is a book that will come in handy for teaching preteens and young teens about puberty. It has quizzes and such to make it fun for young girls to become a part of the learning experience it entails.
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Thanks much to Thomas Nelson for letting me receive this book for review via NetGalley. I will definitely recommend it to preteen women.
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Thanks much to Thomas Nelson for letting me receive this book for review via NetGalley. I will definitely recommend it to preteen women.
September 2, 2014
This is a great little book to read to your tween daughters. It's candid, but fun. Full of questionnaires and quizzes as well as Q&A sessions. I read it aloud to two of my daughters. They both seemed to enjoy it.
April 8, 2015
See comments.
May 21, 2015
Helpful, appropriate, informative.
December 25, 2016
A simple, easy read for pre-teen girls about the changes they can expect when they go through puberty.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews