Is This Normal?. Darcie Johnston

      

      Published by American Girl Publishing

       Copyright © 2009, 2015 American Girl

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any

      manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief

      quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      Questions or comments? Call 1-800-845-0005,

      visit americangirl.com, or write to Customer Service, American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562-0497.

      All American Girl marks are trademarks of American Girl.

      Editorial Development: Darcie Johnston

       Art Direction and Design: Jessica Rogers

       Production: Jeannette Bailey, Tami Kepler, Judith Lary, Paula Moon, Kristi Tabrizi

       Illustrations: Josée Masse

       Special thanks to Jane Annunziata, Psy.D., and Cara Natterson, M.D.

      This book is not intended to replace the advice or treatment of health-care

      professionals. It should be considered an additional resource only. Questions

      and concerns about mental or physical health should always be discussed with

      a doctor or other health-care professional.

       Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Is this normal? : more girls’ questions, answered by the editors of The care &

      keeping of you / edited by Darcie Johnston ; illustrated by Josée Masse. — 2nd

      edition.

      1 online resource.

      Audience: Ages 8+.

      Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher;

      resource not viewed.

      ISBN 978-1-60958-948-6 (epub) — ISBN 978-1-60958-906-6 (pbk.)

      1. Girls—Health and hygiene—Juvenile literature. 2. Grooming for girls—Juvenile

      literature. I. Johnston, Darcie, editor. II. Masse, Josée, illustrator.

      RA777.25 613’.04242—dc23 2014024597

       A Letter to You

      Millions of girls have read The Care & Keeping of You. Those readers have written us letter after letter about the way they look and the way they feel: Letters about hair and skin and teeth and nails. Letters about puberty and periods, breasts and bras. Letters about feelings and moods.

      Some girls are worried they’re growing up too fast. Others feel

      like they’re being left behind. Most want to know if what they’re

      going through is normal.

      Whatever you’re concerned about, you’re sure to find letters in

      this book from girls who feel the same way you do. Reading the

      letters may feel like you’re talking with good friends—girls like

      you. And we hope our responses will answer your questions, too.

      If you want to know more after reading (and you probably will),

      ask your parents or another adult you trust. Read the “Tips for

      Talking with Parents” at the back of this book to get you started.

      You might feel embarrassed or nervous at first, but just jump in.

      Each conversation will be easier than the last and will help you

      feel more confident about the changes ahead.

      Your friends at American Girl

      Contents

       Grooming & Hygiene

       Letters from you about hair, shaving, acne, makeup, braces, glasses, nails, keeping clean, and more

       Body Basics

       Letters from you about breasts and bras, periods, pads and tampons, growth spurts, pubic hair, and more

       Health & Body Image

       Letters from you about sleep, food, exercise, height and weight, ideas of beauty, and more

       Moods & Feelings

       Letters from you about mood swings, privacy, losing your cool, crushes, tears, and more

       Tips for Talking with Parents

       Seven tips to help you talk with the trusted adults in your life about the things most on your mind

      Grooming & Hygiene

      Letters about hair, skin, teeth, nails, and more

       Hair

      Dear American Girl,

      How often do I have to wash my hair now that I’m in

      puberty? It does not look that greasy, so I don’t know

      why I have to wash it every day. Also, it’s really long,

      and it takes forever for me to wash.

      Wondering

      For most girls in puberty, keeping their hair clean means washing it

      several times a week, using a shampoo made for their hair type. But

      you don’t need to shampoo every day unless your hair is very oily or

      you’re very active or athletic. And you shouldn’t shampoo every day

      if you have a sensitive or dry scalp. If washing your long hair is taking

      more time than you can give, this may be a great time to consider a

      shorter style. A shoulder-length cut has most of the advantages of

      long hair with less shower time.

      Dear American Girl,

      I want long hair, but it doesn’t look good after a while

      and I have