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We’re continuing our series on books in Iowa libraries that are attempting to corrupt your kids. This one is available in 20 Iowa libraries and was published in 2021. It is called by “Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships and Being a Human” by Erika Moen.
This one is at least not for a recommended grade level below ninth.
Here is a review from School Library Journal:
Gr 9 Up-Don’t be afraid. Yes, there are drawings of naked bodies in this book (mostly in the “Body Image” section), and, yes, readers will learn about some of the ways the human body is wired for pleasure. And the detailed drawings of genitals are not solely in service of explaining how babies are made. But every panel of this book, every anatomical drawing, every conversation over tea or in a tent, is loaded with crucial information about consent, respect, consideration, and boundaries. A magnificently varied cast of characters confess their insecurities to their best friends, siblings, crushes, lovers, and hookups and in return receive reassurance, information, and practical advice. Readers will learn about a laundry list of activities, including sexting, masturbation, gender, and fantasies, along with health issues such as safe sex and a couple of the less pleasant aspects of relationships: jealousy and rejection. Moen and Nolan have been making comics about sex for years-their comic Oh Joy Sex Toy has even been exhibited at the Tate Modern in London. Moen’s richly individualistic characters keep the pages turning, despite some fat word balloons-the result of personality-rich dialogue and precision, which is important when it comes to topics like identity and relationships. A palette of browns, pinks, and grays continues the celebration of bodies of all shades and shapes. A sprinkling of profanity (including the odd F-bomb) must be noted as it may affect a school library’s ability to shelve it. VERDICT Real talk about relationships and sex.Paula Willey, Enoch Pratt Free Lib., Baltimoreα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Shockingly, the book instructs kids that “a great place to research fantasies and kinks safely is on the internet.”
“There are tons of people and communities out there who share your interests and have all kinds of advice.”
There are a few reviews warning of such information on Amazon:
Parents,
This book will teach your young son/daughter how to “sext” properly. It teaches them to “support legitimate pornography websites”. It tells them to “be sure and air brush out any birth marks that may reveal who you are in the photos you share”. It tells them it is okay to use the internet to have sexual relations with WHOMEVER, unregulated, with God knows what perverts and pedophiles are out there. Do you want them to know this? Of course not.
This book should be removed from publication and banned from Amazon, libraries, and everywhere else. It puts our children in danger of being victims of online sexual predators.
Another reviewer wrote:
I am surprised that Amazon allows this explicit material to be allowed to be sold! I was so embarrassed when my daughter-in-law sent me examples that I sent to my small grandchildren who are barely pre-teens. I will never send another book to them without reading the whole book myself from Amazon !!!! It was disgusting for a child! Topics that should not be explained through a book with a slant to encourage same-sex sexual and every kind of sex you can think of, but not even addressing romantic relationships between a man and woman. No, I. Change my mind! I will never buy a book again for my grandchildren from Amazon!
And another:
If you want a book to teach kids about sex, this one isn’t it. This is the most rediculous and offensive book for “kids” I’ve ever seen. Teaching kids how to use a butt plug and cartoons of women with swinging penises is not educational, it’s brainwashing kids that this type of stuff is normal.
According to records, this book is available at:
Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library
Bettendorf Public Library Information Center
Carlisle
Cedar Falls
Cedar Rapids
Clarinda (Lied Public Library)
Clinton
Coralville
Davenport
Des Moines
Eldridge (Scott County Library System)
Ely
Hiawatha
Indianola
Johnston
Monticello
Norwalk Easter Public Library
Pella
Waukee
West Des Moines
