Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins! by Karina Evans

There's a lot in her about periods, of course, and growing up. And yet as the whirlwind of her first day on her period settles down, Tahlia figures out that conversations which she avoided at all costs weren't so bad after all. This backfires spectacularly most of the time. She is prone to outrageous schemes because she will make every effort imaginable to avoid being embarrassed. Tahlia is delightfully dramatic, with a sharp sense of humor. This book perfectly captures that feeling. Things that seem a bit more mundane to adults feel like the end of the world when you're 12.

But it's especially powerful for pre-teens, where everything is being experienced for the first time. I also struggle with the way life is ever-changing and the pain of having friendships fade.Īll that is to say, this is a book for any age. In my mid-30s, I still feel insecure about being liked, and I sometimes still find it difficult to have embarrassing conversations where I have to be vulnerable and honest. When I was 12, I believed you never got pimples after puberty, and that they'd be a thing of the past for my mid-30s self. I had a giant pimple on my chin as I read this book. 'Well, this part of life sucks,' I grump.' Getting your period, expanding your friend circle-that's all part of life.'

''These are big changes, and it's sad, but things aren't supposed to remain the same. Take a dip into a fountain to ‘borrow’ some quarters for a bathroom period product dispenser? Check, check, check! Trick your mature teenage neighbor into letting you use her bathroom to ‘rehome’ some tampons? Check.

Sneak off to the grocery store only to have the clerk price check your 'goods' over the loudspeaker? Check.

In order to save herself from total embarrassment, it will take all of Tahlia and her best friend Lily’s scheming to keep her reputation-and her favorite jeans-from being ruined. To make matters worse, her mom is out of town, and there’s no way she’s going to ask her dad for help! Tahlia always feared that growing up would be tough, but this is just not fair. But when the Red Goddess of Panties, aka her first period, arrives 24 hours before the pool party, it messes up all her plans. Twelve-year-old Tahlia Wilkins is ready to kick off the perfect summer at the popular kid's pool party. Debut author Karina Evans gives modern-day readers their own version of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with a romp about friendship, puberty, and growing up.

Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins! by Karina Evans