Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman Also by this author: The Truth About Jack
Published by Dial on February 17, 2011
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 292
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When high school junior Natalie-or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper-is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?
A million years ago, we were walking through the YA section of one of our local libraries (where else would we be?!?) and stumbled across this gem. You know how your mom told you that can’t judge a book by its cover?
She was wrong.
This book is utterly charming from the beginning to the end, and we really loved it. We picked it up for the totally cute cover. While there were some serious topics, like dealing with self-esteem and finding yourself, it was utterly fluffy and so much fun!
Didn’t you have a friend who just couldn’t stay away from some boy who was all wrong for her? Have you ever questioned why some guy told you he would call but never did? Have you ever had a nemesis? Or ever wondered how Linux affected the game Blood Frontier? lol
The 411:
When high-school junior Natalie’s “professional” reputation as the school advice columnist is called into question, she decides to to find out what really makes guys tick. She has a list of questions and asks the boys that she knows. That doesn’t go over too well.
“Is it true that guys think about sex every eight seconds?”
He puts a hand on my knee. “Around you, more like every second.”
“This isn’t working,” I say, pushing his hand off my leg.
“Natalie, you’re cute. I like you. What more do we need? This whole interview thing is just getting in the way. Why overthink it?”
She decides to head into the trenches, so to speak, and goes to an all-boys school for a week. Although her two best friends question her motives a little bit, they totally support her and lend their aid.
“Why are you doing it then?”…
“To create a deeper understanding between the sexes,” I say. “To answer the questions girls have asked about guys since time began.”
She twists around to look at me in the backseat. “Well, I’m a girl, and I have a question: does Josh like me?”
Along the way, you know what happens. She meets a boy at the school and falls madly in love with him. What will happen when he finds out she’s a boy, too?
What We Loved:
This book is totally adorable.
We loved Natalie’s character and the revelations that she came to about herself and her gender in general. We loved her friends, especially the new ones she made at school, and how real everyone’s reactions were. We loved that Emilio had some swoonworthy moments. We even loved Summer. Well, we loved to hate her along with Natalie.
Um...Not So Much:
Bottom Line:
Verdict:
| Rating Report | |
|---|---|
| Cover |  |
| Characters | |
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| Writing | |
| Swoon |  |
| Overall: | 4.5 |
YAY. I just bought this one last week. I’m glad to see it’s well liked.
I’m so glad you got it. Even though I read it awhile back, it’s still one of my faves and always brings a smile to my face!