1. Doing It Right: Making Smart, Safe, and Satisfying Choices About Sex by Bronwen Pardes
2. Published 2007 by Simon Pulse: New York, NY; 143 pages
3. Doing It Right gives all sorts of information about sex. It covers topics ranging from reproductive anatomy and puberty to birth control and sexually transmitted diseases. It even covers less-discussed topics like transgender and intersex. Each chapter features a discussion of a topic followed by some commonly-asked questions that Pardes has received from teens. These discussions are remarkably candid. Pardes never sounds condescending and avoids making value judgments. She really stresses the importance of thinking about sex and being responsible. The final chapter includes a resource guide to help readers in need of further information.
4. Doing It Right does a good job of talking about sex on a teen’s level. The book is extremely readable, managing to be informative without being boring. For the most part, Pardes provides good information. But her discussion of sexually transmitted diseases lacks the depth necessary for such an important topic. This is a minor flaw, however, since the book works so well as a tool to discuss sex with teens. Indeed, the teen who reads this book will likely come out wiser and more thoughtful when it comes to sex. And this, certainly, is just what any nonfiction book should do.
5. 4Q 2P
6. Ages 13 and up
7. Somewhat dull, generic cover art won’t draw readers to the book. But because the cover art doesn’t make it immediately obvious that the book is about sex, readers may feel more comfortable taking it out.
