Saiya Miller

Betsy Whitmarsh's review Aug 27, 13 · edit
5 of 5 stars
bookshelves: currently-reading, owned
Read from August 25 to 27, 2013

Not Your Mother's Sex-Education Book!

I like the premise of this book - using comic strips created by teens about different topics related to sex education and healthy relationships to educate teens about these subjects.

The comics are sexually-explicit and no subject is taboo. They are also completely inclusive regarding sexual orientation and gender identification.

This isn't a book I'd recommend picking up and trying to read straight through. It's much more of one to sample. There is something for everyone here. Following are just some of the comic strips included: First Make Out, Nude Beach, Your Penis Rocks, My Small Boobs, Holes, The Appointment, Drunken Hookups, The Clap! Ghost Bulge; Sorry, Mom; Gray Sex; 15-Year-Old Mermaid; The Ties that Bind; Going to be Okay; Cucumber; & Smitten.

Also included in each chapter are several essays by Miller and Bley, who edited the book. While they each add their personal insight and experiences, the comic strips are most definitely the real stars here. Many of them are funny, sweet, focusing on self-acceptance and all kinds of beauty.

It's obvious that the teens involved worked hard on their submissions and how each person approaches this book will be subjective, of course. Product Details list this book as being appropriate for grade levels 8 and up. In all honesty, though, this isn't a book I'd recommend for a younger or less-experienced teen just starting to explore his or her sexuality. I think it might be a little too much information and end up being more overwhelming, than illuminating. However, I can imagine using it with an older and/or more experienced group of teens and college-aged students and based on my own experience as a Sex and HIV/AIDS Prevention Educator for At-Risk Youth, I'm sure that it would spark some incredibly thought provoking and worthwhile discussions.

Favorite comics included Maisha's "Sex Talk," "Nude Beach" by Basha Smolen, and "Your Penis Rocks" by Perry Hohlstein. And sometimes it is the sheer artistry and not the words that shine through as in Kate's "Trouble with My Body." The poignancy of her pencil drawings is simply breathtaking.

I was surprised to read Nik Sonfield and Jessica Ryan's "The Appointment" about a girl who is abused by her gynecologist during her first appointment. As a victim of something similar (but unfortunately far more abusive and painful), I could relate to the shame and despair she felt. Before reading this comic, I honestly wasn't aware that this was something that had happened to someone else and I was gratified that the girl depicted in the comic strip took steps to protect herself and expose the physician's abuse.

All in all, an excellent and valuable addition to the field of sex education and healthy relationships.… (mais)