Best Books for Kids: Talking To Teens About Healthy Sexuality
When trauma touches a home—whether from divorce, abuse, or life’s unexpected challenges—healing can feel like an uphill journey. Teens and young adults especially need intentional, caring guidance as they establish their own values on sexuality and relationships.
I’ve curated this guide from my specially selected list of titles handpicked for families navigating tough transitions—like divorce or trauma recovery—each chosen to encourage healing and growth.
Here are my three favorite books for talking to teens and young adults about healthy sexuality and relationships:
She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, and Speaking Up
by Sheila Gregoire, Rebecca Lindenbach, and Joanna Sawatsky
This isn't your average parenting book: no pat answers or overly broad principles here. No cliché prescriptives or toxic teachings that your daughter will have to unpack and recover from as an adult, like so many of us have.
Instead, you'll find data-driven insights about how to raise a woman who is resilient, knows her strength, and has the discernment skills needed to make good choices.
By reframing (and sometimes replacing) common evangelical messages to teen girls, this book will equip you to raise a girl who can navigate the difficult waters of growing up while still clinging tight to the God who created her on purpose, for a purpose.
Written for girls and young women ages 13 and up.
The Sex Talk You Never Got: Reclaiming the Heart of Masculine Sexuality
by Sam Jolman
From the woefully inadequate sex talks many young men receive from parents (little more than an anatomy lesson or a purity lecture, if anything at all) to cultural messages that unhelpfully weave both shame and permissiveness into men's understanding of their own sexuality and masculinity, too many boys and men experience sexual desire as an area of struggle, confusion, and brokenness.
But it doesn't need to be this way. God made men to be moved, to live with wonder and awe--and sexual desire must be formed within the context of that design. Sam Jolman, a professional therapist who specializes in men's issues and sexual trauma recovery, shows men the way out of the wilds of sexual struggle.
Written for boys and young men ages 15 and up.
Recovering from Purity Culture: Dismantle the Myths, Reject Shame-Based Sexuality, & Move Forward in Your Faith
by Dr Camden Morgante
We know what is wrong with purity culture--now we need to know how to heal. Drawing on historical and psychological research, her own personal experience, and therapy case studies, Dr. Camden Morgante tackles what comes next in reclaiming our sexuality from the harmful teachings so many evangelical Christians grew up believing.
With great compassion and insight, Dr. Camden exposes five myths of purity culture and their effects on individuals and relationships, offers proven therapy techniques to replace harmful lies with healing truth, and provides strategies to overcome shame in the mind and body. For guys and girls ages 15 - adult.
Explore My Full List of Recommended Children's Books
Browse more carefully curated titles, on my full list of recommended children’s books on my Amazon list here.
Whether you’re helping your child process big emotions, navigate family changes, or learn about body safety and boundaries, these terrific titles can help you spark healing and connection.
(Want more handpicked reads? Click HERE to browse my top picks on betrayal trauma, healing from spiritual hurt, and building healthy relationships.)
Share this post with friends who want to raise empowered, emotionally-resilient kids! Together, we can create a world where every child feels safe, valued, and loved.
Which title is your fave? Let me know in the comments!
