By Cara Natterson
The plain, pediatrician-written body book for boys, puberty and hygiene and what's happening, minus the sex talk.
Written by a pediatrician, this is the boys' companion to The Care and Keeping of You: a calm, practical rundown of what happens to a boy's body during puberty. It covers voice changes, shaving, acne, sweat and smell, sleep and food, growing taller, and the changes lower down, with simple diagrams and clear how-tos. It also spends real time on feelings and confidence, so it's about the whole business of growing up, not only the plumbing.
For the boy who has started changing and would rather look things up than be sat down for a talk, this gives accurate, unembarrassed answers from a doctor. It names the awkward stuff plainly, including erections and why it hurts so much to be hit in the groin, and it keeps to the body and to emotional health without getting into sex or reproduction, so you can hand it over and save the rest of the conversation for when you choose.