Reviews

Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen, Matthew Nolan

eburgardt's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

• Honestly adorable. I’ve been interested in sex ed as a potential career path for years and this is maybe my favorite resource for teens that I’ve read
• Offers a general overview of several topics (including ones that get left out of most sex ed, like how to deal with jealousy or rejection, how to apologize, and what abuse looks like)
• Super digestible and wonderfully inclusive both in content and illustrations
• This book’s been heavily challenged/banned nationally. Cannot stress enough how invaluable a book like this is in public libraries and schools. Kids deserve books that educate and validate them

daumari's review against another edition

5.0

Much like Erika & Matthew's other graphic novels, an approachable, inclusive (not just ethnicities, genders, and sexualities but also disabilities which isn't something I see as often reflected!) book with a friendly approach to important topics like sex, romance, and consent. I think [b:Drawn to Sex Vol. 1: The Basics|38749137|Drawn to Sex Vol. 1 The Basics|Erika Moen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527875921l/38749137._SY75_.jpg|60339047] and [b:Drawn to Sex: Our Bodies and Health|50891463|Drawn to Sex Our Bodies and Health|Erika Moen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580651632l/50891463._SY75_.jpg|75786333] are more in-depth, but Let's Talk About It takes a lighter approach, often from the perspective of vignettes where friends or partners discuss topics (which makes sense given the title). This would be more of an introduction, then, with the DtS volumes as references should your teen decide to dig deeper.

I also think it's great that LTAI takes a kind approach, especially as topics around sexuality often get flagged as taboo with fearmongering, which could make it scary for someone young to even seek out information, leading to uninformed adults and knowledge is power! The abuse checklists also are useful for examining your own behavior and those around you as well, also an important topic for interpersonal relationships.

aclopez6's review

4.0

I will likely purchase a copy and excerpt it for my students! There are few sections that I wish had just a bit more nuance (such as the STI section and the commentary on kinks and porn), but overall, a strong resource for teens. One other note, I wish the order of the book was a little different, with more information on cementing one's relationship with oneself coming BEFORE all the information about what sex is.

macklin's review against another edition

I haven’t read a sex Ed book in ages and this one keeps coming in for schools and I thought I would see how sex Ed has changed since I had to read about it 15-20 years ago. I love how inclusive it is about gender, sexuality, and body types. It is also really quick at relaying information. It’s comic form really making it necessary that one of two lines give all the information. It’s really impressive. 

marissagoodell92's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

littlespookysmut's review

3.0

I unfortunately have to get rid of this book from my high school library because of the graphic images (which I don't have an issue with but I know parents would). At first I really liked this book and thought it was super informative and some of the information is, but I do think that some of the advice isn't appropriate for high schoolers. This book would be better for college students I would say.

allibug26's review against another edition

3.0

As an adult who grew up in a conservative home and didn’t get a great sex education, I wanted to see a very inclusive perspective on these topics. However, I agree with many reviewers saying that it’s not actually the most age appropriate as far as information and recommendations, as it undermines the serious implications that can come from sexting and STDs. The lack of period talk is also a big miss. I do love the inclusivity of this book and that it doesn’t cast shame or judgment on young people for experiencing and wondering about sex.

raix's review against another edition

informative lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

I read this book because I heard it was one of the most banned/challenged books from last year. 
I found it very informative and inclusive. It covers some topics that other sex-ed books for teens tend to keep away from, but that they nonetheless need to know, and has advice not only about sex ed but relationships in general. I appreciated that it showed a variety of different body types. The book was sex-positive while also being inclusive of asexuals or other people who aren't interested in sex. 

girlbosslindsey's review

informative fast-paced

4.5

Read this as part of a self-imposed challenge to read all of the most challenged books of 2023. I expected to feel very much not this book's target audience, but I feel like it has good information about relationships in general for people of all ages.

90sinmyheart's review against another edition

5.0

First of all, I wish this book had been available for me to read when I was 13... or 23, or 33, to be honest. Second, it's fantastically detailed and so ridiculously inclusive. Thirdly, I am not going to purchase this for my child because I think with the level of graphic (ahem) detail, it's better for older teens to start.