Pure Excitement: 3 Truths for Teens in a Time of Sexual Lies – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Pure Excitement: 3 Truths for Teens in a Time of Sexual Lies

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

70%

WISE Score

3.6

Amazon

A faith-based guide to the 'sex talk' that’s trying its best to stay relevant in the age of the infinite scroll.

Pure Excitement: 3 Truths for Teens in a Time of Sexual Lies

book

2019

70%

WISE Score

3.6

Amazon

A faith-based guide to the 'sex talk' that’s trying its best to stay relevant in the age of the infinite scroll.

3.6

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3.6

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Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, your teen is almost certainly not going to read this for fun. It’s 'assigned reading' for the Christian household.

It’s a massive improvement over the purity books of the 90s because it actually addresses the digital world, but it’s still a very specific, traditional flavor of advice. If you want a structured way to talk about boundaries from a biblical perspective, it does the job. Just be aware that the Amazon ratings are a bit middling for a reason—the tone can feel a little 'how do you do, fellow kids' at times, and the author's baggage might be a dealbreaker for some.

Age Fit

Best for kids 13 to 18. Younger than that and they won't have the context for the social media/porn conversations; older than that and the 'camp counselor' tone will feel like a major eye-roll.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It promotes self-respect and kindness through a Christian lens. However, the 'purity culture' framework can sometimes lean into shame-based motivations, which is a bit of a mixed bag for emotional health.

Imaginative

This is a straight-talk advice book. It uses some anecdotes and metaphors to drive points home, but it's not exactly a spark for creative exploration.

Safe

Content-wise, it's very controlled. It discusses heavy topics like porn and sex, but always within a clinical or moral boundary. No surprise 'shocks' here, though the subject matter is inherently mature.

Enriching

For families looking for a faith-based moral compass, this is a solid tool for character building and setting personal boundaries. It provides a clear ethical framework for a messy topic.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It moves past 'just say no' and tries to build a positive, God-centered reason for boundaries.
The 2019 update actually acknowledges that things like TikTok and internet porn exist, unlike older versions.
It offers a 'grace' component for kids who feel like they've already failed, which is a nice change from the 'chewed gum' analogies of the past.

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What to Watch For

The 'Purity Culture' vibe is strong here; if your family prefers a more comprehensive or secular approach to sex ed, this will feel very restrictive.
It's very gender-normative and traditional in its view of relationships.
Let's be real: Joe White’s name is tied to Kanakuk Kamps, which has been through some massive, public scandals regarding the handling of abuse. For some parents, that’s an automatic 'no thank you.'

Conversation Starters

"Do you think social media makes it harder to value yourself outside of your appearance?"
"What's the difference between a rule your parents make and a boundary you set for yourself?"
"The book says 'God designed sex for our good'—how does that change the way you think about it compared to how your friends talk about it?"
"If someone makes a mistake, is it actually possible to 'reclaim' purity, or is that just a nice thing people say?"

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