STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Straight talk indeed, on symptoms, causes, and prevention of diseases old and new, body functions, and alternatives to intercourse (including mutual masturbation); and with statistics and analyses of risky and less-risky behavior. The authors serve up complexities with insight: teens' worries about first-time sex; the possibility of tiny abrasions caused by intercourse; why US teens have sex less often than Europeans but get pregnant more. Opening with three sets of rather stupid teens (who learn belatedly to communicate and make choices) mars the book—turned-off readers may never go on to the riches beyond the first chapter. This attempt at liveliness also results in some awkward writing (``They both like each other a lot''). But those who persist will be rewarded with explicit quizzes (you can get the same STD more than once) and a list of ways to broach the topic of condoms, from blunt (``I don't want to worry—here'') to coy (``I think condoms are sexy. I hope you're planning to wear one''). Glossary; resources; bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 12+)