Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
Random House Graphic / Penguin Random House
Publication Date: March 9, 2021
ISBN: 9781984893147
Written by a married team of professional cartoonists who focus on sex education, Let’s Talk About It is an open and honest graphic novel guide to sex, consent, relationships, and everything in between and provides teens—or anyone who hasn’t had the chance to examine themselves or their relationships with others fully—an intelligent and easy-to-understand jumping off point to explore. The bright and colorful illustrations show a diverse group of characters representing various body types, genders, and abilities, covering topics which include not just consent, sex, and gender, but also consideration, boundaries, communication, and friendship-—things that are needed in order to build positive and lasting relationships, romantic or otherwise.
Not only does Let’s Talk About It approach this information in an inclusive and accessible way, it also has such a broad range of subject material that it is certain to have something for everyone. It normalizes discussion about subject matter that is important but often difficult to explore, and the tone is deeply nonjudgmental and reassuring. Any teen who may have questions about themselves, their identity, and their body will find a frank and sex-positive resource guide that makes room for necessary conversations.
This book is a great option for readers who liked Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide To Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up by Heather Corrina, Isabella Rotman, and Luke Howard; A Quick and Easy Guide to Consent by Isabella Rotman; and A Quick and Easy Guide to Sex and Disability by A. Andrews.
—Denise Farley
Other Nominated Titles
- Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright (October 6, 2020)
- The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag (June 1, 2021)
- The Reckoner Rises, v.1: Breakdown by David A. Robertson and Scott B. Henderson (October 27, 2021)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams will feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation will be listed as well. At year’s end, the team will use that list of nominated titles to select a final list and Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are also made available on The Hub.
