Table of Contents
About the Author vi
For Girls 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? 10
3 Your Period: The Basics 13
What Is a Period? 13
Why Do I Have to Get a Period? 14
Which Reproductive Organs Are on the Outside? 15
What Is a Menstrual Cycle? 16
4 Hair and Skin Changes 18
Where Will Hair Changes Occur? 18
What Is Happening to My Skin? 19
Why Am I Sweating More? 20
5 Breasts 22
How Will My Breasts Change? 22
How Do I Find a Bra That Fits Right? 25
Breast Q & A with Dr. H 26
Part 2 Health and Hygiene 29
6 Caring For Your Eyes, Mouth, and Ears 30
Why Do I Need Glasses? 30
Do I Need to Brush My Teeth More Often? 31
Can I Really Hurt My Ears? 33
7 Skin Care 35
What Can I Do About Acne? 35
What About My Hands and Feet? 40
8 Preventing Odor 43
How Do I Prevent Body Order? 43
What Are Deodorants and Antiperspirants? 44
9 Hair Care 46
How Do I Keep My Hair Looking Its Best? 46
What Do I Do About Body Hair? 49
10 Your Period: What to Do About It 53
I Got My Period-Now What Do I Do? 53
What If I Get My Period When I'm Not Expecting It? 56
What Type of Premenstrual Changes Can I Expect? 58
11 Exercise 60
What Are the Benefits of Exercise? 60
Is It Possible to Exercise Too Much? 63
12 Nutrition 65
What Should I Eat to Stay Healthy? 65
Dr. H's Guidelines for Healthy Eating 66
13 Sleep 72
Do My Sleep Needs Change as a Preteen and Teenager? 72
How Can I Get Enough Sleep? 73
14 Cigarettes, Alcohol and Drugs 76
What Are the Health Risks of Smoking? 76
Is Drinking Alcohol Ever Safe? 78
What Are the Risks of Drugs? 79
Part 3 Your Changing Self: Taking Care of Your Emotions 81
15 Experiencing Highs and Lows 82
Why Am I Experiencing More Mood Swings? 82
Why Do My Feelings Seem More Intense? 83
16 Self-Esteem 89
How Do I Build My Self-Esteem? 89
How Do I Deal with Bullies? 91
17 School 95
How Do I Manage New School Stresses? 95
How Do I Improve in School? 96
18 Friends, Cliques, and Peer Pressure 101
How Do I Fit In at School? 101
How Can I Be a Good Friend? 104
How Do I Handle Peer Pressure? 105
19 Romance and Crushes 108
Why Do I Like Boys In a Different Way Than I Used To? 108
What About Breaking Up? 111
20 Parents 112
Why Is It Harder to Get Along with My Parents? 112
Do What Is Expected of You 114
21 Discovering Who You Are 117
You Are 117
Who Do I Want to Be? 117
How Do I Set Goals for Myself? 121
Resources 125
Glossary 127
