The Every Body Book

I got an ARC of this book.

I read every book about sexuality and gender aimed at kids and teens that I can possibly get my hands on. I teach sex ed and I try to stay informed at what information is targeted at my teens. I have no doubts my teens will never read this book, but the fact that it is accessible to them is something I need to know. I need books like this to combat what the kids learn on their own.

I also judge these books very harshly. I am tired of misinformation and just general bad books being made. I will not praise a book just because it is queer inclusive if it isn't a great book as well. This book is the first non-fiction book about sexuality and gender aimed at kids that I have more positives to say than negatives. 

The book is gender inclusive. There is no "mom gets pregnant" or "all people with penises are boys". Instead the way that babies are produced is talked about with body parts and science. There is even talk about how adoption is a thing that families can do. 

There is an accurate representation to what asexuality is! There is no aromantic though. The book assumes that there is a link between sexual desire and romantic desire. So I am a little saddened by this, but I am also really impressed that asexuality was covered in a good way. The information was correct. The talk of being trans and cis was not in the sexuality section which was also perfect! Being trans is not a sexuality, yet it is so often discussed when sexuality is even in books geared towards adults (I just read a book about race that covers being trans in the section about being gay, but had a whole section devoted to gender that did not mention trans people). So this simple concept seems so beyond a lot of people. This book getting is right is not small thing. 

The art is not suggestive, but I know people will complain anyway. There are drawings of genitalia from multiple angles. These are not used for shock value, but instead of are for education about the parts and the functions of those parts. Considering how little the teens in my class know, this is incredibly important. I had one teen, he has multiple children, tell me during the "vagina trivia" lesson that the testicles are above the vagina. I know I can't rely on him to teach his children more, but this book has great information on anatomy. There are some terms in there I don't even attempt to teach my teens. They don't care about all the tubing. I do what I can with the external stuff, since it is easier to get their attention with. 

This book is pretty fantastic. It even covers consent. It talks about good and bad touch. This book really has everything I would want to talk to a kid about. This is a great book to start kids with and one I would recommend.

Ahh! Ok folks. Anyone who teaches, parents, cares for... loves or knows middle grade/ middle school — humans this book is a must. It’s spot on in being: age appropriate ,informative, AND inclusive. 

I have not seen those three pieces executed so well before in a health/ sex Ed type resource (and I’ve looked, I’ve taught gloriously awkward health & wellness classes). This book is so important and I’m so thrilled that it exists!!!! 

It’s pitch perfect too— vocabulary, writing style, tone is great. As an adult I just enjoyed reading this, too. A real win! 

5 beautiful diverse stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARCin exchange for an honest review.

Five stars...six!

This book is fantastic. The language is inclusive, and the topics are covered comprehensively, in terms of the intended audience. I really appreciate the author's note about WHY they are using inclusive language; the focus on this is critical. Also, the author picks up some challenging topics - porn, consent, gender identity versus gender expression, and many more - and addresses them all with age-appropriate language for the audience and a matter-of-fact, responsible viewpoint. 

I am so impressed with how this work is constructed. As a person who works in equity, inclusion, compliance, and Title IX in higher ed, I am constantly encountering texts that attempt to and then fail at covering these topics well, even for adult audiences. I have no complaints or concerns here. Even the illustrations reflect inclusive bodies and identities. 

This book serves an important purpose, and I hope that many young people - and likely many adults - will learn a great deal about themselves and others through interacting with this content. It'll absolutely have a place in my children's lit class and pre-order status in my Amazon cart!