Becoming You for Boys: Everything You Wanted to Know about Growing Up! - Paperback

by Darby Strickland (Author), Emanuel Wiemans (Illustrator)

Becoming You for Boys is a comprehensive, Christ-centered guide designed to help preteen boys understand puberty, navigate emotional and social changes, and grow in wisdom and character. It blends science, practical advice, biblical truth, and gentle humor to make an often-awkward subject accessible and encouraging.

Counselor Darby A. Strickland offers a trustworthy, gospel-shaped vision of growing up that goes beyond body changes to help boys grow in wisdom, love, and godliness. She helps kids see their changing bodies, emotions, and friendships as part of God's good design. This book mixes science, Scripture, and whimsy to answer uncomfortable questions, build confidence, and point boys to their identity in Christ.

Encouraging boys to embrace their God-given identity as they grow in wisdom, strength, and faith, the book can be read independently or alongside parents, making it a valuable tool for fostering open communication during these formative years. An included appendix equips parents with conversation starters about body changes and emotions, along with practical guidance for navigating even the most awkward questions.

Author Biography

Darby A. Strickland, MDiv, is a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). She is a contributor to Becoming a Church That Cares Well for the Abused and author of Is It Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims, the children's book Something Scary Happened, and the minibook When Children Experience Trauma. She writes regularly for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. Darby and her husband, John, have three children.

Emanuel Wiemans is a freelance illustrator, animator, and storyboard artist based in the Netherlands. With over fifteen years of experience in books, brands, and media projects, Emanuel offers a unique style that blends vintage aesthetics with contemporary storytelling. He has illustrated over forty-five books.