It's Perfectly Normal

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vya_DTyPbgU

A very informative, and reliable book of basic information and facts answering lots of questions about sex, our bodies, puberty, families and babies, decisions about birth control and abortion, and staying healthy. It covers questions asked by kids that parents mostly don’t know how to go about. This book provides reliability in presenting comprehensive information to curious preadolescents. All up to date information that is frankly represented in full color illustrations of people of different cultures, ages, sizes, and races. It is very explanatory in answering questions asked by preadolescents and reassuring them with honest answers.

This is a very well written, illustrated, and reassuring book filled with plenty of factual information that can help kids relate to and get answers to questions they might have about themselves. This is a good book for preadolescents starting at age 10 and up.  Other books written by this author include, It’s So Amazing, It’s Not the Stork, Who Has What, and Who’s in my Family. 

Invisible

Hautman, P. (2005). Invisible. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dC1KOUN5tA

Andy and Dougie are best friends and very different from each other. Dougie is the story’s narrator who is is an outsider, gets beat up after school, has crooked teeth, doesn’t participate in anything, finds refuge with making model trains and is seen as a troubled teen when he stalks and prank calls. In school his dream girl calls him Worm. Andy on the other hand is a very popular football star, he is in the student council and very well-liked.  They have known each other all their lives. In this story Dougie seems to be unaware of his mental illness. Dougie sometimes attends and skips therapy sessions with his psychologist. He does not take his prescribed medications for anxiety. During a therapy session he comes to terms with reality and remembers flashbacks of what really happened during the night of an incident at the Tuttle place. His friend had died years ago and Dougie is hospitalized at the Madham Burn Unit. As the story unfolds secrets are revealed and leaves you with unanswered questions.

 This is a book recommended for grades seven and up. This is a great book for those that like suspense and mystery. It leaves you thinking with extremely dramatic twists at the end.  Other books written by this author include, Godless, Blank Confession, and Rash.