Boys about Boys: the facts, fears and fantasies

Nick Fisher, agony uncle on Just Seventeen, wanted to write a book specifically for boys that answered the questions they frequently asked. His book is sensitive and helpful and gains authenticity from the replies of the two hundred respondents to his questionnaire. Boys about Boys is rather like a more readable, updated version of Pomeroy's Boys and Sex.

Chapter headings reflect the weekly postbag - adolescent changes, shy and macho behaviour, relationships with girls, masturbation, before sex, the sexual act, contraception, homosexuality and . . . what girls wanted to know about boys - all very sound stuff but the order is a little odd and an index might have been useful. The author avoids preaching but does express his opinions (particularly about macho men). He uses an unselfconscious mixtures of technical and 'common' language and offers practical and realistic advice.

Perhaps, though, the book is made by the contribution of the boys themselves: from Michael confused by giggling girls, 'you don't even know if they fancy you or think you're duff', to Colin who is 'alright having a laugh and a skit with girls but I don't know how to talk for a long time, like'.

So, a book of good advice for teenagers and a reminder for adults of how little adolescent concerns change. A paperback edition would be useful as this hardback at just under $$9 will deter many potential buyers.