Dr. Ashton delivers in this comprehensive guide, a resource for tweens, teens and women about their female health.  This book provides the information that girls need during those difficult, growing years.  She addresses the topics of female development, menstruation, breasts, hormones, acne, sex, piercings, weight, eating disorders, the vagina, reproduction, STD’s, smoking, drinking, and drugs.  Like I said, it’s all-encompassing.  The straight-talk approach in this book frankly discusses those taboo topics that are sometimes difficult for mothers and daughters to talk about.

Dr. Ashton’s no-nonsense and frank voice in this book not only provides much needed information, but she also offers sound advice.  Take for example, she recommends that girls maintain their virginity until their body is mature at the age of 18 and not necessarily for moral reasons.  In fact, her reasoning is more scientifically, logically and statistically based.  What Dr. Ashton demonstrates is a thorough understanding of young women, how they feel and what they are experiencing.

My Thoughts

Honestly, I am completely open to my twins about 95% of the things they ask me about.  I am happy to discuss any questions they have on sensitive topics.  But the truth of the matter is that they don’t always want to discuss things with me.  They believe it’s embarrassing to discuss this subject matter.  I don’t think this is uncommon.  That’s why tweens and teens obtain so much of their information on sensitive, adult topics from their peers.  What Dr. Ashton provides in this book is a private one-on-one discussion with the reader about all of the main issues that girls face in growing up.

Not only does Dr. Ashton provide the information in a clear and positive manner, but she also communicates on a level that girls will understand and retain.  One specific technique that I appreciated in this book was the recapping of the content’s major points in presenting them again in a highlighted box in either bullet points, true/false questions, or “Did You Know” factoids.  This is beneficial as it delivers the facts to the reader in two different approaches.  Reading the text is highly beneficial, but for those readers who are more visual-based learners, these “recap boxes” are great (not to mention the terrific illustrations throughout the book). 

I absolutely FLEW through this book and learned a few things that I didn’t know.  What I discovered is that I trust Dr. Ashton to deliver this information to my girls via this book.  Apparently, I’m not the only one.  Dr. Mehmet Oz said,

“Dr. Ashton offers a life-changing message of the right time to a generation of young women and their parents.  I trust her with my daughters.”

Dr. Jennifer Ashton is a board certified ob-gyn who specializes in adolescent gynecology.  In addition, she is a health correspondent for the CBS’ The Early Show  and The Evening News with Katie Couric.  She runs a successful practice in Englewood, New Jersey (shucks… too far for us to visit her!).  Being a mother herself, I got the sense in reading the book that she can empathize with the difficulties that mom’s and daughters can experience with these crucial, yet sensitive matters.

The Rating

(Picture me standing and giving a standing ovation).  Dr. Ashton’s current, fresh, and enlightening book is a FANTASTIC tool and reference guide for both moms and teens.  This book couldn’t have hit my hands at a better time as my twins approach 13.  I know that there are many other mothers like me out there whom this book will most certainly benefit.  Even if your daughter(s) are a few years away, this book is a great reference tool for moms in preparation of facing that time.  Nearly all of the information is timeless so it will still serve as a great tool as your daughter(s) start developing.  I do recommend that mothers read this book prior to passing it along to their daughter to ensure that they are comfortable with the level of information provided.  As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather my girls know the truth about their bodies and consequences of decisions they make.  In addition to me providing my girls with both my moral and religious family values, I am hopeful that this type of sound information will lead them to making solid decisions.   

As far as my recommendation and rating, on ANM’s “Out of Ten Scale,” my rating for The Body Scoop for Girls  a rating of 10 out of 10.  It’s a mother of daughters must-have.

 Great Health Advice From Dr. Ashton

Giving Thanks

Thank you, thank you, thank you to TLC Book Tours for including A Novel Menagerie in the this book tour.  I feel so blessed to have received and read it!

FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided to me from the publisher.  Clicking on the either the photo of the book cover or the link next to the purchase price stated above will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page.  No purchases are necessary. 

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