Doing It

August 13, 2018
Witton, a vlogger and sex educator, offers an insightful, fact-filled guide to sex for teens. Writing in a conversational prose style, Witton discusses contraception, body image, pornography, sexual pleasure, consent, gender, and other topics via personal anecdotes and words of advice. Additional voices weigh in with candid essays on physical and psychological aspects of sexuality and relationships. Writer Holly Bourne discusses the damaging messaging behind many romance tropes; YouTube content creators, authors, and sex-positive advocates share perspectives on topics that include “attempting to date while queer,” the experience of catching an STI, and body image. Witton’s willingness to be vulnerable with her readers—seemingly in real-time (“If you recall, while writing this book, I got dumped. At the point of writing this, it has been almost two months since said dumping occurred”)—is especially heartening. Ages 14–up. Agent: Susannah Palfrey, Hachette Children’s Group.

July 1, 2018

Gr 7 Up-A touchingly witty sex-positive collection of tips, anecdotes, and essays on healthy relationships, consent, contraception, porn, and more. YouTube vlogger Witton begins by assuring readers that "it's completely up to you how you wish to consume this book" before diving into the good stuff. Highlights include Holly Bourne's segment on problematic tropes in romance films, which uses a "Wormtail Test" ("If Wormtail starts saying, You're not like other witches, ' you're probably five minutes away from getting the Dark Mark tattooed on to your arm") and a chapter on consent, which contains a breakdown of situations in which consent can't happen (e.g., if one individual is incapacitated), a chart listing the age of consent in each U.S. state and territory, and a legal perspective from an attorney. In the chapter "LGBTQ+," Witton acknowledges her privilege as a straight cis woman and her lack of expertise and lived experience, and instead she features thoughtful essays that explore bisexuality, dating while trans, being gender fluid, and more from such noted figures as Ash Hardell, Juno Dawson, and Riley J. Dennis. Minimalistic doodlelike patterns and designs appear throughout. VERDICT A current take on navigating sexuality and relationships for teens, and a fine addition to most nonfiction collections.-Della Farrell, School Library Journal

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2018
An informational guide to sexuality from a YouTube vlogger and sex educator that covers a wide array of topics for readers of all genders and sexual identities.Maintaining an unapologetic, nonjudgmental tone throughout, it expansively deals with topics from sexual identity to sexually transmitted diseases and body image as well as some territory less commonly explored in books on sex for teens, such as porn, polyamory, sexting, and legal considerations. In a chapter dedicated to LGBTQ+ topics, she offers an overview of topics including cis, trans, and nonbinary genders, sexual orientation (including asexuality), coming out, heteronormativity and the privileges that come with it, and being an ally. A chapter on consent talks about alcohol, legal definitions, and more and refreshingly includes information from YouTube activist Rikki Poynter, who is deaf, about consent in the context of deaf-hearing relationships. Other topics covered include virginity, masturbation, porn, body image, sexual pleasure, contraception, sex shaming, and rape and porn myth busters. Anecdotes and testimonials from other sex-positive people help round out this volume. A particularly strong contribution appears in the section on healthy relationships and was penned by author Holly Bourne. The section on bodies includes several cartoon-style "Hannah Diagrams." Witton's writing style is not unlike her YouTube persona--simple, candid, accessible, and inclusive. While self-indulgent at times, readers will appreciate Witton's frank, nothing-is-off-limits approach. (resources, index) (Nonfiction. 14-18)

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June 1, 2018
Grades 9-12 Popular British YouTube vlogger and sex educator Witton's breezy sex and relationship guide covers a wide range of topics, from crushes to polyamory to emergency contraception and everything in between. Admittedly not officially an expert, Witton defers to a range of friends who cover topics outside of her personal experience, particularly in the book's LGBT section. Witton is careful to note her privilege as a straight cis woman, and while the guide is not marketed for a particular gender or sexuality, it does carry a bit of a slant in that direction. Threaded throughout in an almost gossipy style is the author's relationship and sexual history, including an enlightening discussion with her mom and grandparents about their sexual educations?or lack thereof. Though the guide is in American English and for the most part reflects American norms?age of consent is listed by state, for example?strangely, the Protection of Children Act 1978 is detailed in the sexting section instead of the American legislation section. Still, this highly accessible title offers much for young adults. Empowering, modern, and judgment-free.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)