Wait, What?

This is a fantastic little graphic novel about sex, puberty, relationships, and growing up in general for teens. It's super diverse and inclusive, with an entire section dedicated to queerness and gender identity as well as loads of casual references throughout the book. I also appreciate that it offers some insight into being aro and/or ace and how not everyone is going to want to have sex, pursue romantic relationships, etc., so kids shouldn't feel "weird" if they aren't interested in those things. I'll definitely be recommending this one to teens!

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love this so much and even I as an adult have learned something new from this. This is definitely a book that I will purchase, I want a readily available resources at hand especially when any sort of sex education (and everything that word encompasses outside the act of sex) is not something that's available.

There are places in the world where people don't get to learn about sex-ed. Not even the bad kind of sex-ed or the ones we see in movies. Nothing. We get to learn the science bit about puberty and the basic changes that happen to the body and that's it. Girls learn the female puberty part only and boys learn the both. Everything is superficial; "this is how you make a baby", "sex happens only to procreate", "this is what a period looks like", "this is what you do when you get your period" and of course the bulk of it is getting told all the things that are wrong, sinful and shameful. So you can see how such a book can change one's perspective and one's image of themselves. And this in itself would be a reason so many would call out this book because they wouldn't want us to learn the opposite of what they're teaching us because how dare we think all of this is okay. Pfhttt.

So this is a graphic novel for pre-teens or teens about bodies, growing up and the changes that happen. It's a guide that discusses sex-ed in a much more inclusive, positive, easy and informative way. It starts off by talking about "due dates" and the myth of having to do things at a certain time just to make sure we're conforming to our peers. It continues to talk about puberty, maturity, masturbation, genitals, gender, gender roles and stereotypes, crushes, relationships and feelings, consent, boundaries,  what is sex, being ready, sexual identity, problematic ideas and having a support team. Each section in this book is broken down and discussed by the main 5 people in this comic; Rico, Malia, Mac, Sam and Alexis. Each character identifies differently and have different explanations and experiences. 

I know that this book isn't revolutionary in its ideas or even the way it presents those ideas because I have read books like this before and in a comic format as well that breaks down certain concepts. But the fact that more are still needed and are getting applauded means that these types of books aren't reaching the right people or the correct audiences yet. It's not reaching schools or libraries and it should. It's not reaching the countries where they need to be hearing all of this and it should. 

This graphic novel is inclusive and lgbtq+ friendly  and I'm glad that it didn't make a distinction for that or saying "well here's a chapter to talk about all things lgbtq+" but I do wish some chapters such as genitals and what is sex had also mentioned what it would be like for lgbtq+ folks. However, for those wanting more there is a cool glossary and resource list at the end of the book that are both for pre-teens and parents.

I want to end this long review by saying I love the art style , the coloring and the format of the book.

This book is a great educational guide to puberty and sex. I would 100% recommend it! It's inclusive of different body types, genders and sexuality. It tackles big topics like consent and deciding whether or not to have sex in age appropriate ways.

The illustrations were great, especially the characters discussing their thoughts and feelings throughout the different topics. There was a good level of humour; the book felt fun and engaging, not cringey like some sex ed books can be.

It also has a handy guide at the back with further resources for kids as well as parents/educators.

This is an excellent book for teens and learning about the changes happening both in themselves and among peers. This book addresses changes in the body, emotions, social interactions, and many other issues that teens experience, have questions about, but may not be certain where to turn for the answers. Now they do. Written as both an informational book and as a graphic novel featuring a group of teenage friends and the occasional older sibling, this book is both informative and highly relatable. The book gives warning when certain topics or images that teens might not be ready for are about to come up, and give the option to skip to a safe page u til they are ready to go back to that topic. I highly recommend for a teen nonfiction library for an up to date book that is informative and engaging about the changes in adolescents.

I will soon be adding a nonfiction section to our teen graphic novels collection and this is already one of the books I can not wait to have in that collection! "Wait, What?" is relatable, especially because of the diverse 'cast' who are teaching you throughout the book. Everything in this book is important for teens and again, I can not wait to be able to put it in their hands!

"Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up" is the book I wish we all had when we were in middle school. And if you have a middle school human in your life, you should get them this book. 

One of the favorite parts of the book are the discussions around consent and relationships. Consent treated not just as a topic in order to reduce sexual assault, but woven in to how we relate to each other in relationships. At the most basic level it is that you need someones consent to be in a relationship and everyone has the right to not be in a relationship. It makes you imagine how much dating would suck less if we all learned how to talk to each other about our expectations for relationships when we were 12 instead of in therapy in our 30s or 40s. 

Full review at my blog.