BUNK 9'S GUIDE TO GROWING UP

The 16-year-olds at Camp Silver Moon look back at their 12-year-old selves to offer advice to girls facing puberty.

The nine tightly bonded girls form a consciously diverse group of tall and short, skinny and curvy, athletic and dramatic counselors-in-training whose range of skin tones, hair textures, and experiences allows for advice for preteens and young teens of all sorts. They’ve organized their guide into chapters about puberty, hygiene, breasts, menstruation, puberty in boys (written by their male counterparts), health, and feelings (including romantic ones). Presented as if handwritten in a lined notebook, it’s appealingly decorated. Besides the customary physiological details, they offer advice on such topics as choosing and using brassieres and menstrual supplies, what to do about both head and body hair, and crushes of all sorts. The older girls are frank about variations in maturation (not limited to age of onset), sexual orientation, and gender identification. They often advise turning to an adult (not necessarily a parent) for information and support, but their comments make clear how much they have supported one another during these years of change. With an engaging premise, lively design, and comprehensive, inclusive content, this has sure-fire appeal—especially to girls who have been to summer camp or dreamed of going.

A fresh approach to a subject of perennial interest.