Table of Contents
About the Author vi
For Boys x
How to Read This Book x
What You'll Find in This Book x
Special Features xi
Part 1 What Is Puberty? What Can I Expect? 1
1 What Is Puberty? 2
What Changes Can I Expect? 2
Why Haven't I Started Puberty Yet? 6
2 Changes in Your Body 8
Will I Really Grow Faster During Puberty? 8
In What Other Ways Will My Body Change? 9
How Do I Get Used To My Changing Body? 11
3 Understanding Your "Private Parts" 14
What Should I Know About My "Private Parts"? 14
How Do My "Privates" Change During Puberty? 15
What's the Difference Between a Penis That Is Circumcised and One That Isn't? 16
Is It Okay If My Penis Gets Hard Sometimes? 16
4 Hair and Skin Changes 18
Where Will Hair Changes Occur? 18
What Is Happening to My Skin? 20
Why Am I Sweating More? 21
Part 2 Health and Hygiene 23
5 Caring For Your Eyes, Teeth, and Ears 24
Why Do I Need Glasses? 24
Do I Need to Brush My Teeth More Often? 25
Can I Really Hurt My Ears? 27
6 Skin Care 29
What Can I Do About Acne? 29
What About My Hands and Feet? 33
7 Preventing Body Odor 37
How Do I Prevent Body Order? 37
What Are Deodorants and Antiperspirants? 38
8 Caring for Hair Up There and Elsewhere 40
How Do I Keep My Hair Looking Its Best? 40
What Do I Need to Know About Shaving? 42
9 Caring for Your "Private Parts" 44
What Should I Know About Taking Care of My "Private Parts"? 44
How Do I Protect My Genitals from Injury? 45
What Is Jock Itch? 46
10 Exercise 48
What Are the Benefits of Exercise? 48
Should I Take Exercise Supplements? 51
Is It Possible to Exercise Too Much? 53
11 Nutrition 54
What Should I Eat to Stay Healthy? 54
Dr. H's Guidelines for Healthy Eating 55
12 Sleep 61
Do My Sleep Needs Change as a Preteen and Teenager? 61
How Can I Get Enough Sleep? 63
13 Cigarettes, Alcohol and Drugs 66
What Are the Health Risks of Smoking? 66
Is Drinking Alcohol Ever Safe? 68
What Are the Risks of Drugs? 69
Part 3 Taking Care of Your Emotions 71
14 Experiencing Highs and Lows 72
Why Am I Experiencing More Mood Swings? 72
Why Do My Feelings Seem More Intense? 73
15 Self-Esteem 78
How Do I Build My Self-Esteem? 78
How Do I Deal with Bullies? 80
16 School 84
How Do I Manage New School Stresses? 84
How Do I Improve in School? 85
17 Friends, Cliques, and Peer Pressure 90
How Do I Fit In at School? 90
How Can I Be a Good Friend? 92
How Do I Handle Peer Pressure? 94
18 Romance and Crushes 96
Why Do I Like Girls in a Different Way Than I Used To? 96
What About Breaking Up? 99
19 Parents 100
Why Is It Harder to Get Along With My Parents? 100
Do What Is Expected of You 102
20 Discovering Who You Are 105
Who Do I Want to Be? 105
How Do I Set Goals for Myself? 109
Resources 113
Glossary 115
