Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4-7. This relentlessly cheerful guide to female puberty is aimed directly at girls on the threshold of adolescence. Dickerson is a former editor of Teen Magazine, and her prose has all the bubbly enthusiasm, exclamation points, and punny chapter headings of teen-beat journalism. The chapters cover the physiological changes that girls can expect, although strangely absent are illustrations to help them visualize what's happening. Still, Dickerson offers straightforward, practical advice for coping with the body's changes, including lengthy sections about selecting the right bra and discussion of various body-hair removal options, and the intermittent quizzes about puberty may amuse some readers. The text-heavy format isn't quite as successful as that of Lynda Madaras' Ready, Set, Grow! (2003) in targeting its tween audience, and Dickerson's aggressively adolescent voice (phrases like a buncha and Nu-uh! ) may sound too self-conscious to some readers. Even so, the combination of teen testimonials, positive reassurances, and guidance will find an audience among girls anxiously anticipating their growing up. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-The author's experience as managing editor of Teen Magazine shows in the bouncy, breezy, ain't-it-great-to-be-a-girl tone of this introduction to puberty and menstruation. Enthusiastic and celebratory, On the Spot addresses the concerns and questions of girls encountering the physical and emotional changes of growing up, offering sound advice mixed with good humor and an upbeat attitude. The unique aspect of the book comes from the 14 girls, ages 9 to 17, who share their firsthand experiences and advice from the "Girls'-Eye View." Their contributions, set off in italics within the text, add a conversational chattiness and intimacy as they record their own embarrassments, fears, and emotions. The inclusion of these true stories vividly illustrates the wide range of what is normal when it comes to the experiences of adolescence. Specific topics include physical changes, breast and genital development, menstruation, PMS, emotions, and handling difficult situations-"Less-Than-Perfect Period Moments: Tell-All Tales!" Dickerson stresses the value of planning ahead to avoid embarrassing situations. No anatomical diagrams or typical illustrations are included, although light gray flowers, hearts, stars, and other graphic designs are splashed across the background of the text, giving the book a lighthearted, casual feel that is emotionally appealing. JoAnn Gardner-Loulan and Bonnie Lopez's Period (Volcano, 1991) offers similar information in a more traditionally straightforward, yet still comfortingly informative way.-Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
