I liked this book for my kiddos in a lot of ways and thought much of the messaging was really important, but I didn’t think it did much at all for actually CHALLENGING societal gender norms or for non-binary, genderqueer, or trans kids. That was a disappointment for me because if the point was inclusion and self-acceptance, that was a pretty blatantly exclusionary approach. Otherwise, I thought there were some good pieces of wisdom for growing male-identifying people.

This is a fantastic resource for boys and young men that has been long overdue! For too long, we've overlooked or dismissed concerns about body image among guys, assuming they didn't exist or treating them as if they were the same as those experienced by girls. This book examines body image from a totally male viewpoint, recognizing the special pressures, norms, and problems that boys experience.

Self-image, mental health, social connections, diet, cleanliness, and self-care are all covered. The tone is very objective and non-judgmental. It strikes a good balance between accepting that caring about one's appearance is entirely natural and appropriate, and assisting readers in recognizing when that concern crosses the line into something that makes them unhappy and healthy.

I enjoyed how much emphasis was placed on young men's own voices. It's fantastic to read text, analyze scientific material, and hear from physicians and specialists, but hearing the perspectives of other boys and young men helps boys understand that they're not alone in their ideas and feelings. This is really relevant and accessible, and I would recommend caretakers and educators to get as many guys as possible to read it!

This is an excellent, excellent resource for boys and young men that is long overdue! For so long we've ignored concerns about body image in boys, assumed they didn't have them, or addressed them as if they were the same as those experienced by girls. This book looks at body image from a thoroughly masculine perspective that acknowledges the unique pressures, standards, and concerns faced by boys.

Several critical topics are addressed, including self-image, mental health, social interactions, nutrition, hygiene, and self-care. The tone is wonderfully matter of fact and non-judgmental. It threads the needle well between acknowledging that it's perfectly normal and acceptable to care about how one looks and helping readers notice when that tips over into something that makes them less happy and healthy.

I really appreciated that young men's own voices were included so much. It's great to read text, review scientific information, and hear from doctors and experts, but the thoughts of other boys and young men make these concepts much easier to identify with and help boys understand that they're not alone in their thoughts and feelings. This is very relatable and readable and I would encourage caregivers and educators to get this into as many boys' hands as possible!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Educational. Engaging. Well-written. The book tackles one of the most unseen issues with male young adult life- body image. The authors are experts from different fields in relation with the issue and each shared significant ideas and topics regarding the matter. I love the different formats used in the book such as- Q&A, wherein experts answer questions from teenagers themselves, Debugging Myths & Misbeliefs section., which is my personal favorite as misinformation is very prevalent these days, My Story, stories shared by certain individuals about body image, Expert Advices, wherein expert offers random advice regarding the issue and the different chapters itself.

The graphics also made the book more pleasing to read. I like the images and designs used, though some fonts tend to be hard to read, but almost everything turned out great.

As I said, I personally enjoyed how they debugged myths regarding our bodies especially what most teenagers believe and how they can be protected from fake information especially that many resources are available a click away or even from other people.

Experts offered advices that are neutral- not condescending, not too hopeful but realistic and motivating. I guess teenagers will have a different perspective regarding the issue after reading this book. Here is a glimpse of what to expect when this book becomes available:

“Stigma weighs heavily on the health and well-being of larger individuals. We need to take care not to negatively judge, tease, or reject people because of their weight. Instead, we should support and embrace body diversity….”

As a former teenager myself, I have gone through this issue as well and I am glad there are books and people that are ready to discuss this kind of issue, especially as it can affect both our physical and emotional/mental well-being.

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

This graphically-vivid book for young teenaged boys addresses hard topics of modern mental health in blunt, honest terms. The book is about being body-positive but does so without feeling fake or cloying. It brings up matters like social media, airbrushing in advertising, dieting, eating disorders, and sex, and introduces lots of quotes from doctors worldwide and from men in their late teens and early twenties, who talk frankly about their own struggles with self-image. I was pleasantly surprised from the start by its inclusivity--it featured the personal perspectives of both a young trans man and a gay man.

As the mom of a 16-year-old boy, I read through with him in mind. This is a book that I would buy for him because it's the kind of read that really makes a person (of any age) think about the role of the media and culture and how that effects our own inner voices. I see this book as a conversation-starter. There is a small section about pornography that doesn't address the morality standpoint at all but notes that viewing it is common and that it is dangerous in that it reinforces unrealistic views of relationships and the human body. I was especially impressed by the chapter that delves deep into the subject of eating disorders and how they are expressed in boys/men; I've never seen that topic addressed to boys in such a way.

Really, the entirety of the book with its medically-based frankness and realistic positivity--and its inclusiveness--left me with a strong impression that this book can and will save lives.