It may come as no surprise that one of my favorite parts of this job is helping our patrons discover just the right book. Recently, we received a very specific patron request that sent me down a total rabbit hole. This patron was looking for books about puberty and growing up for their son. Immediately, our minds went to the juvenile nonfiction section (call number J612.661, for those who may be interested). However, the patron gently explained that they were in search of fictional books about these experiences. They were well-equipped with the facts, but what they really needed were relatable stories, especially with male protagonists. As it turns out, this was a tricky request indeed, but not impossible!
This request hit home for me. In many ways, I still feel connected to the “tween-age” version of myself and the books I enjoyed. Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novel “Smile,” for example, made me feel so seen when I was in middle school. Just like Raina, I was also a frizzy-haired band kid with far-from-perfect teeth, and I saw myself in a book character like I never had before. Likewise, I vividly remember sneaking home a copy of Judy Blume’s classic “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” It was such a relief to see my own complicated thoughts about both body changes and religion reflected back with the trademark wit and wisdom Blume is known for.
But it wasn’t just that these books addressed puberty in an accessible, entertaining way. The greatest wisdom of these stories is that they recognize the complexity and dignity of young people. They have stuck with me to this day because they gave voice to a host of human experiences that I didn’t yet know how to describe. In short, when I was my most vulnerable and misunderstood, they reminded me that I was not alone.
Books for young readers about these difficult topics are still fairly taboo, often the subject of censorship and book bans. And although there’s an increasingly robust catalog of stories about the puberty experiences of straight, cisgender white girls, it takes a bit more digging to uncover those written about boys, not to mention LGBTQ+ people and kids of color. In crafting this list, I set out to find books that capture a wide range of growing-up experiences.
Aida Salazar’s debut novel in verse “The Moon Within” brought beautiful light and energy to the often jarring transition into womanhood. In her latest work, Salazar shifts her focus to issues of masculinity and the inner lives of boys. “Ultraviolet” tells the story of sensitive eighth-grader Elio as he experiences first love, first heartbreak, and, of course, a healthy dose of raging hormones. As a young Latino, Elio is surrounded by a culture of machismo, and he struggles to live up to his dad’s expectations of him. How can he be expected to “man up” when it seems his heart is bursting with all-new emotions, especially towards a pretty girl named Camelia? Elio’s journey of self-discovery sheds light on the ways toxic masculinity affects us all.
“The World Divided by Piper” by Caela Carter follows a mathematically gifted eleven-year-old bent on winning the academic decathlon. But as it turns out, Piper is a precocious kid in more ways than one. She was diagnosed with precocious puberty when she was only six and has been on puberty blockers ever since. When her mom and her medical team agree that it’s finally time to let nature take its course, Piper is sent into a total tailspin. She sees the women in her life suffering from painful periods, harassment and all the other joys of womanhood, and frankly, she’s scared. Piper’s story will ring true for anyone who fears the unknowns of growing up, reassuring them that they’ll emerge stronger and wiser on the other side.
For better or for worse, puberty is chock-full of “if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry” moments. “Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins!” by Karina Evans embraces the awkward, following a snarky seventh grader on the eve of her first period. Tahlia and her best friend Lily have a lot to prove at the end-of-the-year pool party. When their chances at breaking into the popular crowd are seemingly foiled by a pimple of volcanic proportions, the pair soon find that their trials are just beginning. This book has it all — first periods, embarrassing parents, even diving into a mall fountain in search of change to buy tampons! Kids who love to laugh will be both charmed and reassured by Tahlia and Lily’s relatable misadventures.
Rex Ogle’s “Four Eyes
” is a great pick for graphic novel fans. In this semi-autobiographical tale, late-bloomer Rex has a lot on his plate. On the first day of middle school, it becomes painfully apparent that his friends seem to be moving on without him. Meanwhile, his mom and stepdad are struggling to make ends meet. And when Rex notices that things are starting to look fuzzier than usual, his new glasses introduce a whole new set of problems. Luckily, with his abuela’s loving reassurance, Rex begins to see himself in a whole new light. Ogle’s equally charming sequel “Pizza Face” follows Rex into seventh grade as he navigates the next level of puberty: acne, mood swings and more!
“Junior High” by queer singing duo Tegan and Sara is a tender and moving graphic novel based loosely on the authors’ own tween years. Separated at school for the first time, these identical twins must navigate bullying, body changes, friendship troubles and confusing crushes without their built-in best friend by their side. Even as growing up threatens to tear Tegan and Sara apart, an old guitar and a newfound passion for songwriting bring them together when they need each other most. Tillie Walden is one of my favorite graphic novel artists, and the calming atmosphere her illustrations create pairs so perfectly with Tegan and Sara’s lyrical writing.
