By Sharon Maxwell, Ph.D.

Avery/Penguin, 2008; $14.95; www.drsharonmaxwell.com.
Sex is not a subject that most of us discuss comfortably – or even particularly well. The author, a specialist in adolescent sexuality, helps us change that. She uses examples from her own life and clinical experience to illustrate how today’s media shapes our children’s views on sex, and how we can help them by sharing our values about love and intimacy before the media does. She gives us words to help our children understand sexual desire as a natural energy that we learn to control and direct responsibly. Maxwell also offers an innovative framework for looking at sexuality in a way that makes moral and/or religious principles real to kids. This book is a must for parents with children of any age.

“The chapter on sexual desire and how it links to all other natural human desires is brilliant! I can’t say enough good things about this book.”
– Parent Tester