BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER, HAIRIER

A BOOK FOR BOYS

by Marni Sommer , Sarah Blake , Brian Villa & Isabella Brocato ; illustrated by Emily Scheffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

An illustrated guide that answers young readers’ most urgent questions about puberty.

The book opens with an explanation of puberty, marketed around boys’ experiences. The authors frame this time of change as a universal process that explains why “someone gets taller, they develop muscles, and may start to see pimples on their skin,” among other bodily shifts. The structure moves across five core categories: the physical body, emotions, self-care practices, real-life puberty stories, and a fact-driven “myth buster” guide that breaks down puberty misconceptions. The tone remains one of the book’s strongest assets. The authors avoid finger-wagging, childish jokes, or outdated didacticism and present puberty as a shared stage of life that “everyone goes through.” The language is direct and meets younger readers without judgment. (“It’s normal to have a LOT of questions!” or “Each person’s body will grow and change a little differently. But feel proud of your own body’s changes.”) The text addresses these often awkward and unspoken experiences that can create shame and body negativity, from infamous vocal cracks, unwanted erections, and wet dreams. (“You can’t make wet dreams stop—they are a natural part of puberty. But you will have fewer as you get older.”) The illustrations reinforce this approach. The animated style adds energy without trivializing the subject matter. A range of skin tones appears throughout, which contributes to a sense of inclusivity and recognition, as well as homing in on the theme that puberty is a universal experience. A particularly notable section centers on peer pressure; an illustration maps out the range of influences young people might encounter, from contemporary vices such as vaping and social media overuse to long-standing pressures such as underage drinking. A pleasant twist is how the book refuses to reduce peer pressure to a purely negative force, acknowledging that it can sometimes be helpful to encourage readers to “try new things, make new friends, and learn what you’re good at.”

At the same time, the book shows limitations in its scope. Developed from research and interviews with young Americans, it positions itself as a resource that answers questions while simultaneously breaking down the various misconceptions around puberty. One of the book’s main strengths is that it draws on adolescents’ own questions and personal accounts, while incorporating perspectives from teachers, social workers, health care providers, coaches, and religious leaders to build an experience-based guide to what young people need to know. While these perspectives support the book’s broader mission of openness and accessibility, its inclusivity doesn’t fully extend across identities and leaves certain experiences underrepresented. Ultimately, it’s the reliance on gendered language that narrows the conversation to a cis-normative framework. The absence of intersex and transgender experiences creates a noticeable gap in a guide that otherwise aims for openness and non-stigmatized reassurance during a formative stage of life.

This book confidently answers tough questions on puberty, but its framework is not as inclusive as it could be.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 29, 2026

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING | CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S