Sophie Hartley and the Facts of Life

Literature Source: Sexual Health
Grade: 3-5
Fiction

Author: Stephanie Greene
Publication Date: 2013
Publisher: Clarion Books
ISBN: 0547976526

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Brief Description:

            Sophie is a 10 year old girl with two teenage siblings and she does not want to end up like them; throwing tantrums like her sister and not liking the rest of the family like her brother. Sophie’s class is going to watch the movie about body changes and she is not ready. Quite frankly, she doesn’t want to know about the embarrassing stuff. As usual, Sophie faces challenges with determination and resourcefulness. This new story brings the indomitable Sophie a step closer to growing up without compromising her sense of herself.

Excerpt:
                “Oh, is that right?” Nora sneered at her in the way she’d perfected in middle school. “You think everything’s so hunky-dory all the time. Just you wait, Little Miss Sunshine. Your time will come.”
Nora had stormed up to her room before Sophie could ask exactly when Nora thought Sophie’s time would come and what would happen to her when it did.
“She means you’re going to become a teenager.” Mrs. Hartley got up to put her mug into the dishwasher and muttered, “Heaven help us,” under her breath.

How to integrate with core curriculum: 

                Writing; writing what students think being a teenager means at the beginning of the year, “sealing” those in a “time capsule” and then revisiting those at the end of the year to see how their opinions have changed.

HBOs:

HBO 1: establish and maintain healthy relationships

NHES:

NHES 1.11: Explain how puberty and development can vary considerably but still be considered normal.

NHES 4.1: Demonstrate effective communication skills to promote healthy family and peer relationships

NHES 4.2: Explain how to be empathetic and compassionate toward others who are at a different stage of puberty from oneself.