Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Lynda Madaras is the author of 12 books on health, child care, and parenting. For more than 25 years, she taught puberty and health education in California schools, and she has appeared on Oprah, CNN, PBS, and the Today Show.

Lynda Madaras es la autora de doce libros sobre la salud, el cuidado de ninos y la crianza de los hijos. Durante mas de veinticinco anos ha ensenado sobre la pubertad y la salud en escuelas de California, y ha sido invitada de Oprah, CNN, PBS y el Today Show.

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Ready, Set, Grow!

Young girls before the onset of puberty have a curiosity about their soon-to-be changing bodies that needs addressing in a simpler way than for their older sisters. In Madaras’s proven, trust-worthy, friendly voice and style, this entirely new book now brings them the same kind of thoughtful, down-to-earth information—but at a reading and comprehension level that’s just right for them.

Responding throughout to real life questions and observations from younger girls, Madaras explores the changes that are happening, or about to happen, to them, including: the development of breasts, body hair, and body fat; the changes in their reproductive organs, both inside and out;their first period and all the complex feelings surrounding it; the unwelcome appearance of acne and new body odors; and, perhaps most important, how to respect and celebrate their unique bodies,even when the outside world is not always so accepting.

Lively cartoon drawings throughout make the book not only helpful,but fun to read, too.

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Ready, Set, Grow!

Newmarket Press

Contents

A Note from the Author Hi, I'm Lynda Madaras1 What's Happening to Me? Puberty Is about Change2 Buds, Boobs, and Bras Your Growing Breasts3 Hair, There and Everywhere All about Body Hair4 You Grow, Girl! The Height Spurt5 Bigger Is Beautiful The Weight Spurt6 B.O. and Zits A Survival Guide7 What's Up Down There? A Look at Your Private Parts8 The Inside Story Changes You Can't See9 That Time of the Month All about Getting Your Period10 Yours Alone Respecting and Protecting Your BodyIndex

Chapter One

You're growing up. Of course, that's nothing new. After all, you've been growing up all your life.

Ever since the day you were born, you've been growing in many ways. Year by year, you've been growing bigger. You've been getting taller and heavier. But this growing up is different.

Maybe you've noticed little bumps growing under your nipples. Your chest is not flat anymore. Sometimes the little bumps may feel itchy of sore. You are growing breasts!

Or maybe you're seeing some hairs in places that were bare before. Hair may be growing on your "private parts." (This hair is called pubic hair.) Hair may be starting to grow under your arms, too.

Has any of this stuff happened to you? If so, you may be asking, "Am I weird?"

No! You are not weird. You are 100% NORMAL! You're just starting puberty.

What if none of this has happened to you yet? Does that mean you're weird?

No! You are not weird, either. You are 100% NORMAL, too! You haven't started puberty yet, but you will. Sooner or later all of us start puberty.

What Is Puberty?

Puberty is a special time in a girl's life. During puberty, a girl's body changes into a woman's body. This doesn't happen all at once. It takes years to go through puberty. From start to finish, puberty may take anywhere from two to five (or more) years.

How does puberty start? What happens first? That depends. For many girls, the first sign of puberty is their breasts starting to develop. But for many others, puberty starts with the growth of some pubic hair. Less often, under-arm hair is the first change.

The first changes are just the start. They are followed by many others. Maybe you already know about these changes. In my puberty classes, we make lists of these changes. I divide everyone into teams. Each team has an outline of the female body. They also have a bunch of markers.

On your mark, get set, go! Each team writes as many changes as they can. Then, I call time. The team with the longest list wins. At the left is one winning team's list.

You may not know what some of the words in this list mean. Not to worry! This book will teach you about all these changes.

As you can see, puberty is a time of many changes. The kids in my classes have lots of questions about these changes. Chances are, you do, too. That's what this book is all about-answering your questions about growing up.

When Does Puberty Start?

Girls don't all start puberty at the same age. Most girls start between the ages of eight and a half and 11. But some start puberty earlier than eight and a half. And some start later than 11. Each girl is special. Each girl's body grows at the rate that is just right for her.

It's hard to be different. Girls who are late starters often wish puberty would start sooner.

I wish I was further along. It seems like I'm the last in my class to get boobs.

Girls who are early starters often wish puberty has started later.

I didn't want to start before my friends. I didn't like being different from my friends.

If you're an early or a late starter, try to be patient. Know that your body is growing up at the speed that's right for you. In a few years, you and your friends will all have started puberty. Then it won't matter who was first or last. After all, we all end up in the same place-grown up!

Feelings about Puberty and Growing Up

I just started puberty and I'm really proud. I'm really excited and happy about it.

When I started to get breasts I didn't want people to see them. I used to wear baggy shirts so they wouldn't show.

Puberty is scary. Sometimes I think about all these changes and it's, well, kind of scary.

You may feel really proud about starting puberty. Or you may feel embarrassed. You may be a little scared thinking about all the changes. You may feel one way one time, and another way another time. Feelings are like that.

When you're feeling proud, enjoy that feeling. Hold your head high. If you have some scary or embarrassed feelings, take heart. You're not alone! Other girls are feeling the same way. We all go through the same changes. We all make it!

For most of us, puberty is a mixed bag. Sometimes you'll feel great. Other times, you may not feel so great. That's part of growing up.

Fact is, puberty isn't always a piece of cake. But there are things you can do to make it a little easier. Be prepared. Read this book with your mom, dad, of another adult you trust. Ask questions. Get the facts. Know what's happening to your body. Puberty is a lot less scary when you know what to expect.

You can also read this book with your friends. Talk about puberty changes. Giggle. Ask how your friends feel about their changing bodies. Talk about how you feel.

The more you know and the more you talk about your feelings, the easier it will be!

List of Changes

Get breasts Pubic hair Growing really fast More body fat Hips wider Hair under your arms Darker hair on arms and legs Start shaving legs (maybe) Sweat more Body odor changes Zits, pimples, acne Discharge Get your period Get cramps Changes in your private parts Ovulate Female organs mature

Growing Up Doesn't Mean You're a Grown-Up

When puberty starts you might think that now you have to act differently.

"I'm, afraid that now I'll have to always act grown up. But I don't want to have to act all growth up."

You may feel this way, too. But puberty doesn't happen all at once. True, you are growing up. But that doesn't mean you have to be a grown-up. You've got lots of time yet. Your body may be changing, but you can still be a kid. You can still climb a tree.

You can still be "just friends" with boys. You can act goofy. You can still play "little girl" games.

You can be grown up for a time. Then you can act like a kid again. You can watch cartoons one day and MTV the next.

You can do whatever you feel like doing. It's up to you. Be what you want to be.

Chapter Two

I kept wanting to grow up. Then my breasts started to grow! I thought, "Finally, it's happening." I was so happy when my breasts started growing ... I was so proud. I felt real grown up. I didn't look forward to getting boobs. Once I had them, I didn't want them. It was embarrassing when boys "looked" at me.

When I saw my boobs were developing ... well, I just wasn't ready for it. I thought, "This can't be happening. Not yet!" I wasn't ready for the whole "Becoming-a-Woman" bit.

You may be happy about your breasts starting to grow. Or you may...