This Boy by@myraclegirl(#42in 2020)
Paul Walden is not an alpha lobster, the hypermasculine crustacean king who intimidates the other male lobsters, beds all the ladies, and “wins” at life. At least not according to the ego-bursting feedback he’s given in his freshman seminar. But Paul finds a funny, faithful friend in Roby Smalls, and maybe he’s beginning to catch the interest of a smart, beautiful girl. But in the treacherous currents of teenage culture, it’s easy to get pulled under...
For book lovers/teachers:
This book is perfectly YA. It tells a compelling story, raises the tough conversations that teens need to hear, and has incredibly relatable characters. In Lauren Myracle’s This Boy, you’ll come across bullying, friendship, individuality, growth, love, loss, addiction, and suffering. Paul is the perfect character to introduce to teens as he’s both familiar and dynamic— just like most teens are. Paul starts out as a good kid and changes over the course of his high school career to becomes someone he never thought he would. Whether you’re a teacher or not, this book is impactful. Keep in mind that it’s written for YA and that while some parts might be predictable, it’s for the benefit of a teenage mindset. I would say the complexity of this book can be understood by an audience ranged anywhere from 7th to 10th grade students, but the actual content is geared for 9th through 12th grades.
For parents:
One of the other main characters is Paul’s mother. This Boy shows the other side of teenagehood— the side where parents worry about their kids. I think this is often the side that most kids forget about. Beware of a strong use of language and some of the romantic scenes (depending on what you deem to be appropriate).
4 stars ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️
Thank you to@candlewickpressfor sending me a gifted copy
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