Book Review: Becoming You

Darby Strickland is a familiar name to many of us who know HAVEN. 

She has been an avid supporter of our work and a very helpful resource. 

From the back of the books: “She loves helping families grow in God’s wisdom and care for one another.” 

We are so excited to share her two new books: “Becoming You: for Boys” and “Becoming You: for Girls”.

Both of these books are great resources to add to any library. 

Many books address puberty and growing up.

Several address it from a Christian, biblical perspective, but these are the first I have come across that return to Scripture time and time again and apply it to the various aspects of maturing physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Section 1 of the book speaks deeply of God’s amazing design of the human body. 

She reminds the reader that our bodies are a gift from Him, each designed to fit His individual people specifically. 

Darby also makes a point to bring up the biggest change of all: the heart and God’s work in it during this time of life.

In section 2, each and every page takes on a different aspect of the human body and then points the young girl or boy right back to God and his perfect design and purpose for that aspect of the body. 

She doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable or awkward, but reminds the reader that every single person goes through the same thing and that, although sometimes embarrassing, it is all part of God’s design for the body's ability to mature and grow.

She doesn’t just touch on the physical, in the third section, she digs right into the emotional and relational as well. 

She touches on the tendency to compare our bodies to one another, the rollercoaster of emotions affected by hormones, and the reminder to love the body that God designed just for each individual. 

From the book for girls: “Beauty isn’t about looking like someone else.  It’s about reflecting the goodness of God in your words, your actions, and your kindness.”

The 4th section of both books is titled “Growing in Wisdom”. 

“When your body changes, it’s easy to get stuck wondering, what will I look like? Or will I be different from my friends?  But the biggest question is, who is God shaping me to be?” 

Darby addresses friends and what a true friend is, what speaking in love means, how to avoid fights, and how to mend hurts. 

In this section, Darby carefully addresses what respect and personal space require and addresses people or events that make you pause. 

She lists some situations that might make a boy or girl uncomfortable: “If you notice any of these things, talk to a trusted adult right away.  Speaking up doesn’t make you mean; it shows that you are being wise and brave, just like God calls you to be (Ephesians 5:11)...God sees you, loves you, and wants you to feel safe and cared for.”

The final part of the 4th section addresses screen time, technology, and being wise online. 

This section includes important information for adults, as well as our young children and young adults. 

A short 5-question quiz is included to help our children see how screen time is shaping their minds and bodies.

The book finishes with a section for parents and caregivers. 

It contains suggestions and conversation starters as well as tips, and encouragement. 

This section also contains a section for “Parents of daughters/sons with disabilities.”  This was a very thoughtful and insightful section to include in these books.

I’ll conclude the same way the “For Girls” book ends: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made…and you are never alone.”