- Stone, T. L. (2006). A bad boy can be good for a girl. New York: Wendy Lamb.
Summary
This is the story of three teenage girls who catch the attention of a senior boy, who has bad intentions. The free verse novel tells the story from each girl's perspective as the boy teases them, flirts with them, uses them, and the ostracism that follows. They bond together to support each other against his schemes and advances, going as far to leave each other notes in library books.
My Impressions
Wow, where do I begin to say how much I disliked this book? I know there will be students who want to read it, and I am bound to let them see it if they are in the appropriate age range. However, this book is graphic in some of its descriptions, the behavior is not laudable in any way, and my head still hurts from trying to read this in free verse. Maybe it is because I am a guy and a father, but I could not imagine what a parent might say if this book came home with their student.
Reviews
Heppermann, C. M. (2006). A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl. [Review of A bad boy can be good for a girl, by T. L. Stone]. Horn Book Magazine, 82(1), 90.
“Stupid / humiliated / foolish / stung / heartbroken / pissed off / and a little / bit / wiser.” High school freshman Josie sums up how she feels after falling for an only-out-for-one-thing senior, and she isn’t alone. The three (very different) teen girl narrators in this candid free-verse novel form a chorus of varied perspectives on how a “bad boy”—the same boy for all three—causes them to lose control before they even realize what’s
happening. Stone’s portrayal of the object of their (dis)affection is stereotyped, but the three girls are distinct characters, and she conveys the way the girls’ bodies and brains respond to the unnamed everyjerk in
electrically charged (and sexually explicit) detail. Finally returning to her senses, Josie decides to post warnings about her ex in the back of the school library’s copy of Judy Blume’s Forever . . . because “every girl reads it eventually.” Others add their own caveats in a reassuring show of sisterhood. As this scribbled “support group” illustrates, even the most careful and self-aware among us sometimes gets bitten by the
snake in the grass. --Christine Heppermann
Library Usage
I am not sure I would have much use for this book other than having it on the shelves for interested readers. I think there are better and more appropriate free verse novels available.
happening. Stone’s portrayal of the object of their (dis)affection is stereotyped, but the three girls are distinct characters, and she conveys the way the girls’ bodies and brains respond to the unnamed everyjerk in
electrically charged (and sexually explicit) detail. Finally returning to her senses, Josie decides to post warnings about her ex in the back of the school library’s copy of Judy Blume’s Forever . . . because “every girl reads it eventually.” Others add their own caveats in a reassuring show of sisterhood. As this scribbled “support group” illustrates, even the most careful and self-aware among us sometimes gets bitten by the
snake in the grass. --Christine Heppermann
Library Usage
I am not sure I would have much use for this book other than having it on the shelves for interested readers. I think there are better and more appropriate free verse novels available.
No comments:
Post a Comment