This book could alternately be titled “Everything You Could Ever Possibly Hope to Learn From Your OB-GYN.” It may technically be for tweens and teens, but moms are absolutely guaranteed to learn a thing or two, whether about the subject at hand or how to talk to your daughters about the subject at hand. As an ob-gyn specializing in adolescent care, Dr. Jennifer Ashton has created a totally up-to-date health book for the 21st century. Extremely-straightforward, non-judgemental and with loads of humor, she tackles nitty-gritty girl issues, from “What to Expect When You’re Adolescent,” to “Straight Talk on Sex,” and “Your Body’s Lifetime Warranty: Staying Healthy for Life.” Her lists and tidbits are particularly informative and witty, such as “Dr. Ashton’s “Ow That Hurts!” Playlist,” her “Five Healthy Eating Rules,” and “Aren’t You Glad I’m Not Your Mother?” Besides puberty, sex and “Itches in Your Britches,” this book deals with “Hormones Gone Wild,” “No Weigh: Loving the Body You Have,” “Just Say Know,” and much, much more. A fast, informative must-read for girls and women everywhere.

By Kim Childress

This book ranks as one of the best I’ve seen on helping your child transition out of the elementary years into a future of academic success. For many kids, middle school is the beginning of a radically different learning environment. For the first time, they travel from classroom to classroom to learn from a variety of teachers who each cover a specific subject. They also confront social issues at an age that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. This book includes ideas galore–mind-mapping and goal-setting projects, coaching tips on ways to stay involved in your kids’ lives without making them crazy, and study and organizational ideas. (I’ve put the “milk crate filing system” into practice successfully.) The 6th-8th grade years have proven to be critical time in the student’s academic career, both rewarding and challenging, when kids gain independence and parents assume the role of supportive coach. I highly recommend this book for everyone who has or will have a middle schooler.