The Facts of Life



It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris

Harris, R. H. (1994). It’s perfectly normal. Somerville: Candlewick Press.

At the start of this school year, our local newspaper said: 127 girls in our city’s schools were returning to class pregnant (the youngest being only 12); over 40% of those expectant girls also had STDs they contracted while having sex; and a majority of parents are still opposed any kind of sex education in school.

As a dedicated realist, I believe that ignorance is the greatest threat to people today.  Ignorance –whether it’s in our children or in their parents – breeds a long list of subsequent problems, including pregnancy, STDs, bullying, bigotry, etc.  The only way to combat ignorance and its consequences is with education.  To this end, I found Robie H. Harris’ It’s Perfectly Normal to be perfectly wonderful!

It discusses the “facts of life” in a factual way that young people can easily understand, without hedging on controversial points or trying to gloss over basic issues with vague language.  Consequently, I am sure this book will be condemned by religious zealots, helicopter parents, and arch conservatives.  I can only hope this amazingly simple, straightforward text will nonetheless make its way under the table to students everywhere in the hope that the basic truths it expresses so honestly may make an impression on young readers who will become part of planned parenthood instead of becoming a statistic in next year’s newspaper.

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