It's Totally Normal!: An LGBTQIA+ Guide to Puberty, Sex, and Gender

by Monica Gupta Mehta, Asha Lily Mehta

Overview

Winner of the AASECT Book Award for Teens Under 18 years old

Does fingering count as losing my virginity?
How do I know if I am ready for sex?
Does penis size actually matter??

Mother and teen duo Monica and Asha Mehta work together to answer your most pressing questions. Forget the penis-in-vagina basics - this is a queer friendly guide that'll have you rethinking the very definition of sex. Combining expert advice with the personal experiences of teens all over the world, prepare to plunge into the topics they don't cover in sex ed. Masturbation, pornography, fetishes - if you're not afraid to ask, they're not afraid to answer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839973550
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	05/18/2023
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	1,003,382
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Monica Gupta Mehta is a parent, educational psychologist, and teacher of sex education and SEL (social and emotional learning). Asha Mehta is her teen, and together they are co-founders of Normalizers - an organization that seeks to spread empathy and education for LGBTQIA and autistic youth. Normalizers began on TikTok and now has over a hundred thousand followers. Monica is demisexual, with multiple children who are gay, transgender, and autistic. She hopes to create a safer and more accepting space for them in the world.

Editorial Reviews

Wow- what an engaging resource for teens! It's rare to see such a successful blend of comprehensive information and caring advice, especially one that affirms and includes so many identities and experiences. From the general to the specific, this book offers so many answers. To see shame-free information being shared so generously by Monica and Ash, along with many of their anonymous question-askers and storytellers, is such a gift to teens everywhere.

Rachel Simon

★ 06/23/2023

Gr 7 Up—The mother-and-daughter TikTok team known as the Normalizers answers nearly every possible question readers might have about LGBTQIA+ sexuality and gender in this honest, inclusive guide. Monica, an educational psychologist, takes a direct approach to the topic, explaining in plain language all the ins and outs of puberty, crushes, anatomy, and sex, and answering FAQs from curious teens along the way. The layout unfurls naturally, starting with puberty and moving on to how safe sex (of all varieties, including solo) works, emphasizing the importance of consent. The chapters on gender and sexuality are invaluable to young readers—the tone is relatable and the medical information is accurate and accessible. Included throughout are Monica's own stories, as well as stories crowdsourced from the Normalizer community, and Fisher's helpful cartoon illustrations. It's almost impossible to put enough positive superlatives behind this essential guide. This covers all the bases that current heteronormative sex-ed curriculum skips, preparing teens who identify as anything other than cishet for safe, healthy, consenting relationships. VERDICT A necessary addition to middle/high school and public libraries.—Abby Bussen

School Library Journal

2023-04-24
A mother and her teen explore sexuality-related issues inspired by anonymous questions submitted to Normalizers, their nonprofit for autistic and LGBTQ+ youth.

Most of the content is written by mom Monica, an educator and psychologist who peppers in her own experiences, including those related to her Indian cultural heritage. Nonbinary lesbian teen Asha contributes anecdotes, some culled from comments on the Normalizers’ social media accounts, and, in a letter to readers, offers clear context for the book: How we understand and talk about sexuality and gender are continually changing. The work’s greatest strength is the clear, comprehensive discussion of current terms; even as specific language evolves, the open-minded and matter-of-fact definitions presented here will provide a good basis for understanding. The chapters on puberty, sexual activity (including safer sex and consent), and relationships give readers accurate information in relatable language. Other subjects covered are how to masturbate and the safe use of chest binders and sex toys. The chapters focusing on gender, sexuality, and issues specific to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies are somewhat dense but have an accepting and reassuring tone. Notable throughout the book are the use of inclusive language, the careful attention paid to being transgender or nonbinary, and the exploration of how sexuality and gender intersect with having autism. Line drawings illustrate the text sparingly. Each chapter ends with a Q&A drawn from real teens’ questions.

A valuable, no-holds-barred resource on gender and sexuality. (glossary, resources, index) (Nonfiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews