It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R. (2009). It's perfectly normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

Summary: This book on "changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health," answers many questions on a very sensitive.  It divides the book into an introduction and six separate parts: What is Sex?, Our Bodies, Puberty, Families and Babies, Decisions, and Staying Healthy.  Each of these six parts are also divided into many subdivisions which total to twenty eight. It contains a table of contents, a thank you page (which contains sources for the book), and an index. The cover states the book is for ages 10 and up.  This book also contains illustrations involving puberty, sex, and different body types.  It covers heterosexuality and homosexuality, pregnancy, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual abuse, and abortion. This is a well researched and large source of information on the various topics.  It states the facts and does not give a bias opinion on controversial topics.  Personally, I don't believe I would give all this information to my 10 year old daughter at once. This information would probably be more useful over a period of time.  However, each child is different and can handle this information at different times.

Other useful books:

It's so Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris.

It's NOT the Stork!  by Robie H. Harris

Goodbye Stranger

Stead, R. (2015). Goodbye stranger. NY: Random House.

Recommended age: 4th and up

Summary: Bridget Barsamian is a seventh grade girl, who survived a horrific accident that almost took her life when she was 8 years old.  Bridge, as she is called after the accident, has two best friends Tab and Emily.  The three of them made a pact to never fight, and to always be friends.  As they enter middle school things begin to change. They remain friends, but each of the girls have new interests and other friends.  The three of the girls along with Tab's older sister, Celeste, and Bridge's new friend, Sherman face many dramas and work to discover who they really are as people.  The book is left open in the end.  We know that two years later Sherm and Bridge are dating, that Sherm has started communicating with his estranged grandfather, and Celeste has let go of the grip that her old friend, Vinny once had on her.  Overall, it was a good book.  There are many reviews that feel that it should get some awards.  I enjoyed reading it, but it didn't draw me in and have me emerged in the characters. 

Resources:

http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/search-results/?ts=rebecca+stead

*This site has a school counselor's guide and an educator's guide for classroom use.

 

Origami Yoda

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. NY:Abrams.

Recommended Age: 4th and up

Summary: Six grade students have a very interesting phenomenon going on at their campus.  A strange student named Dwight started wearing a origami finger puppet he made everyday.  The puppet began giving advice / predicting the future for the students who asked him questions. Tommy, his friend, decides to investigate the strange occurrences to determine if it is true or if Dwight is making it all up. He needs to know, because he is unsure if he should follow Origami Yoda's advice about a girl he likes.  In the end, all of Origami Yoda's advice paid off.  The students had a great time at the dance, and Tommy danced with the girl that he liked.  This is an interesting story.  I can see how upper elementary grade would enjoy this book and it's storyline.  Student will enjoy the instructions on how to personally make their own Origami Yoda.   

Younger students in the young adult age range (4th -6th) will be able to understand the inner workings of the school and the social circles that it discusses.  Every school has cliques or groups that young adult readers can understand.

Resources: http://origamiyoda.com/

Recommendations for follow up reading all by Tom Angleberger:
Art2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling: An Origami Yoda Activity Book
The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett: An Origami Yoda Book
Darth Paper Strikes Back:An Origami Yoda Book
Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue!: An Origami Yoda Book
Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus (Origami Yoda)
The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee (Origami Yoda)