Customer Reviews

Boy Toy

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Josh was an ordinary twelve year old who loved baseball, was good at school, and didn't have the best home life. His life was changed forever though when he was molested by his history teacher, Eve Sherman. Using alcohol, video games, and the allure of her body, Eve changes everything for Josh.

Now about to graduate high school, Josh learns that Eve is being released from prison. His world, only slightly sane during her imprisonment, becomes a turmoil of new thoughts and feelings. The guilt grows heavier than ever. A new relationship may fuel things for the better in Josh's life but can he ever truly move pass what happened to him.

Controversial, seductive, and all too realistic, Barry Lyga tackles a topic that has been become more and more prevalent in today's high school environment. There are no easy answers in real life, nor are there in this book. Josh is an engaging, quick-witted young man though and despite the trauma he went through at Eve's hands, he does have a good head on his shoulders. It is very easy to sympathize with Josh. How could you not? He went through a hell of a bad "relationship" at twelve years old. But things are not cut and dry in this book. Lyga does a good job of exploring Josh's character, of exploring the whys of why this happened to him.

I found myself comparing Eve a deadly spider, luring Josh into her home after school, making him feel like a man. It is easy to feel disgusted by her character, to feel contemptuous of her, but Lyga tries to not make her a flat, stock character. I appreciated his efforts, even as I knew nothing could make me like Eve.

This book gets somewhat raunchy at times. I read a lot of romances so the sexual content itself was not anything new, but the seductive, powerless feel of Eve's manipulations was very palpable. I wouldn't recommend this book for younger teens that is for sure.

Lyga tackles a tough issue. While I cannot say I liked everything that happened in the story, or that I even agreed with the decisions he made as a writer, there is no doubt I was hooked. There is a sordid quality to this story at the same time there is a cleanliness, a purity of soul in Josh. Josh is the reason to keep reading this book, even as I was left slightly dissatisfied by its ending.

In BOY TOY, author Barry Lyga takes readers on an incredible journey into a world that, for some, like main character Josh Mendel, is all too real. Josh's life was changed at age twelve when his teacher took the role of educator far beyond the limits of acceptable behavior. Lyga's story does not cut corners or mince words. He is straightforward and direct in telling Josh's story. His graphic descriptions may have earned him criticism, but they have also made his story a powerful one.

Josh Mendel loves baseball. He is a wiz at math. His best friend, Zik, seems to be the one with the rocky home life and all the problems, but not for long.

Mrs. Evelyn Sherman is the new history teacher recently transferred from the local high school to the middle school. She is drop-dead gorgeous. All the boys probably find it a bit embarrassing to stand up and leave the classroom some days. Josh certainly does.

Josh's involvement with Mrs. Sherman begins when she praises his writing and asks him to help her with a project for her graduate class. Honored and excited, Josh is eager to help. Problems at home make staying after school, and later actually going home with Mrs. Sherman, a convenience for Josh and his parents. He begins spending more and more time with her even after her project is complete.

At first, being in Mrs. Sherman's apartment everyday after school is exciting, because Josh gets to play unlimited video games, drink Coke, and hang out with an attentive, beautiful woman. His time in the apartment becomes even more fascinating when Mrs. Sherman begins inviting him to help her cook dinner and sip wine with her. Then kisses begin - tentative and then passionate. The passion moves from petting to full-on sexual experimentation.

Josh is addicted. There are feelings of guilt, but those feelings are outweighed by the incredible physical pleasure Mrs. Sherman offers. Life is spiraling out of control.

The world comes crashing down when Josh finds himself playing spin the bottle with Rachel. He and Rachel have been friends on the baseball field for as long as he can remember, but when Josh's newfound experience turns the innocent teenage game too sexually explicit, Rachel runs screaming to her parents. The "game" is over, and Josh's secret is about to come out in the open.

BOY TOY is not a short romp between the sheets. In fact, it has raised many eyebrows in the world of YA literature. Readers will see exactly what went on with Mrs. Sherman, but they will also see deeply into the world of a young man trying to continue with life, make amends to his friends, and make plans for his future. It has a strong, powerful story to tell, and it tells that story well.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I should clarify that as someone unfortunately familiar with sexual misbehavior from adults when a teenager and who experiences the OCD-caused intrusive thoughts the protagonist calls "flickers', this book bothered me significantly. However, it may not have the same effect on others. You may ask, with my history, why did I pick it up? The product description did not mention anything about abuse, only that there were two females in the protagonist's life, and a secret. I was more interested in the "decisions about college" that were described.

The book is well-written, and the sexual feelings of Josh, the main character, and his confusion are honest. However, I would hesitate to give this book to a young teen. Perhaps it would be useful as a cautionary tale, but I'm not sure. It's possible that the descriptions and the shame will be a bit too haunting to the point of scarring if the reader is less than emotionally healthy to begin with. While the ending is not all rosy and wonderful, there is some healing for Josh that a reader could possibly take hope from. Still, I suggest parents be careful and look at this book first.

As a side note, the title strikes me as too casual and flip for this story to the point of being inappropriate. However, as I said, the book is well-written and the main character is portrayed with outstanding and memorable depth. Thus, I'll probably look at this author's other work such as Fanboy and Gothgirl, although I may sit in the bookstore and leaf through it before purchasing. Also, I might recommend this book to adult reading groups comfortable discussing taboo subjects as the psychological portrayals are gripping and affecting.

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga is a 409 page young adult novel that delineates the tale of Josh Mendel, a 12 year old boy who is manipulated into a sexual relationship with his teacher. The story goes back and forth from the present to the past and follows Josh as an 18 year old high school senior who still struggles with the aftermath of the affair, years later. The book depicts the sexual activity fairly graphically, but it is not gratuitously so. It is real and organic to the story and yes--it's disturbing to read as you consider that the boy is only 12 years old and suffering emotional damage from premature sexual activity.

There have been a number of highly publicized incidents involving minors and school staff. People may be prone to dismiss such occurrences because the perpetrator is a pretty female and they take a "boy's will be boy's" attitude. This book exemplifies the real damage that occurs to the child's psyche as a result of such abuse. I highly recommend reading it.

Grab your hat and glasses because you are going to take a very bumpy and harrowing literary ride!

Josh Mendel, a gifted boy of 12 (the name Mendel makes one think of the early genetist, Gregor Mendel and his work with pea plants) who is an incredible baseball player and honor student. His life detours sharply when his English teacher, Evelyn ("Call Me Eve") Sherman enters his life.

Eve Sherman is an interesting character. She grooms Josh, complimenting him on his high caliber work and suggeting that he might want to participate in a reseach project she is conducting for graduate studies. She encourages Josh to visit her home. In an amazing show of faith, Josh's parents buy Eve's story without questioning Josh too closely about why he is spending any time in a teacher's apartment. The fact that she is married does not seem to deter her or them.

Josh's best friend Zik is his only confidante. The part that bothered me the most is that Josh's parents did not appear to communicate much with their only child. It is this absence of open communication that led Josh into some painful decisions and later traumatic encounters involving Eve.

Eve starts out innocently enough. She invites Josh to her place, even driving him over after school. Josh begins by writing papers; filling out questionnaires and answering basic, academic questions. He even plays with Eve's husband's Xbox. In time, the tone would grow sexual.

Matters reach a head when Eve gives Josh wine and tells him to keep that a secret; she strokes his ego for starters by telling him how mature he is. Naturally, Josh basks in the glow of the wine and the praise. From there it is a short jump to improper sexual seduction. Josh continues with the ostensible research and plays Xbox. Matters reach a critical point when he sees an adult video on the Xbox. Eve tries to downplay it, but it is plain she wanted him to view it so he has some exposure to adult sexual behavior. In time, Eve would start seducing Josh. His graphic account of their encounters is effective; it is neither titillating nor pruriet. He is a confused 12-year-old boy caught in a maelestrom of experiences and emotions he is not ready to handle.

Josh honestly believed Eve loved him and cared about him. He opens his story with what he learned that year and one of the items on his check list is "how to please a woman," which is not something any 12-year-old should personally know.

Months into the school year, Josh attends a party at his friend Rachel's house. Their friends, Zik and Michelle (Michelle makes a reappearance in the Fanboy books) are also in attendence. One suggests that Josh and Rachel make out in a closet. Josh, eager to apply what Eve has taught him tries her moves on Rachel with devastating consequences. It is then that his encounters with Eve become known. "You think you've lost your love, well I saw her yesterday, it's you she's thinking of and she told me what to say." -- Beatles, 1963 from "She Loves You"

Legal trauma ensues; Josh avoids Rachel out of fear and shame. "You know it's up to you, I think it's only fair, pride can hurt you too, apologize to her." -- Beatles, 1963 from "She Loves You." Five years later when Josh is a senior, he avoids a popular shop because Rachel works there. "She said she loves you and you know that can't be bad. Yeah, she loves you and you know you should be glad." -- Beatles, 1963 from "She Loves You"

Eve is finally convicted and Josh emerges from his multiple traumas of sexual molestation, family issues and avoidance of Rachel sadder but wiser. Rachel, his baseball playing pal remains a true friend. "She said you hurt her so, she almost lost her mind, but now she says she knows you're not the hurting kind." -- Beatles, 1963 from "She Loves You"

It is Rachel who helps Josh put the pieces of his life back together and who stands by him when he makes some very difficult decisions. It is Rachel who really listens to Josh once he decides to share with her his painful trauma with Eve. She insists that Josh be her prom date, double dating with their friends Zik and Michelle, who have been a couple since middle school. It was interesting that all 4 sets of parents agreed to let these kids rent a room and spend the night after the prom. In light of Josh's sexual trauma, it does question the Mendels' judgments on this. Indeed, the Beatles' 1963 classic "She Loves You" easily underscores Josh's relationship and reconnection with Rachel. "With a love like that, you know you should be glad, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"

Barry Lyga is a genius. It's as simple as that. Kyra Sellers, his Goth Girl character has a cameo appearance in this book. This is a brilliant, cutting edge book that deals with several adult issues realistically, seriously and honestly. His works, like those of Chris Crutcher's, deal with serious topics and confront them in a way so as to educate readers. The Beatles' 1963 classic "She Loves You" could easily be the soundtrack of this book, with Rachel being the "She" in "She Loves You."

First things first: thank you thank you thank you, Barry Lyga!!!!! For finally explaining to me the sexual meaning of baseball bases. I had them more or less figured out, (after tons of times of reading over and over and over again about second base or the importance of getting to third base), but I always had some residual doubts left. So, Barry Lyga is a god. Finally someone who's not ashamed to explain it to non-American people!! (Meaning: people without baseball engraved in their brain, and definitely people who are no experts in baseball sexual babble.)

So on the other hand, since my baseball knowledge is kinda low (I mean it: I barely understand what a home run is, how bases work, and what field players are, so don't ask me what those baseball numbers Josh talks about were, because I can only guess, and I'm totally guessing wrong), I got lost in the sport portion of the book. However, I was doing just fine, up until the end, because that last match was definitely painful to read.

This is getting dangerously close to a sports review. Time to change topics.

And talk about...

WHOA.

Yes, this book, as was expected, is unsettling. I had been cautioned, and I'm glad I was. Because it was creepy in a very open and very uncensored way.

I can't really say much more about the book. Only that yes, it is a good book, but no, it won't go unnoticed, because hey, you just don't read a book about sexual child abuse (with very visual scenes between the twelve-year-old and the creep) and just forget it right away. You may like it, or you may not. But it'll definitely keep you thinking (and calling the creep ugly names, perhaps?).

Anyway. Long live soccer, basketball, and all the easy-rules sports!!

i was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading this book. you have no idea whats going to happen next and the thrill itself is worth waiting.

the story is about a boy named josh, who at 12 years old starts to have an affair with his teacher, Eve. their relationship starts out slow, but later on it becomes very sexual. Eve tells josh that because they love each other, that its ok what theyre doing. Being a 12 year old gullible boy, josh believes her.
a few months later, josh goes to his friends party, rachel, and they play spin the bottle. josh and rachel end up going in the closet and making out. during the make out session josh starts to molest rachel, because that was what he was taught to do with eve.
the story slowly unfolds after the party, and everyone finds out what really happened. 5 years later josh is still scarred by his relationship with eve, and worse than that he thinks everyone is judging him. he thinks that he was the one that took advantage of eve, not the other way around. in the end, he finally confronts eve, and only then does he understand what really happened.

this is a breathtaking book that gives you a a perspective on abused children. they feel that they are at fault, when really its the abusers fault.

my favorite part in this book is when he confronts eve. you could feel the emotions josh went through at that moment. it was beautifully written.

i would recommend this book to older teens 17 and up. its a great book but does have cursing and sex scenes.
overall..great book.

This is a good book. Even at 3.5 stars I would suggest you read it.

Josh had an inappropriate relationship with a teacher, five years has passed and Josh is an adult on the brink of his own life but he's stilling living in the past, unsure of how things played out.

The language is raw - but justified. Josh's life is complicated, the big game of the year is not going to sit on hold for Josh to figure out his life, it won't make his parents stop arguing, or his relationships with friends better or college choices easier. Life happens sometimes all at once.

Josh's emotions were really the most inspiring bit about the book. For that alone I would recommend giving this book a go. The sex scenes are not overtly graphic, but they do exist. I would suggest a mature young adult audience.

BOY TOY by Barry Lyga appears to be about forgiveness, but it goes so much deeper. Joshua Mendel at age twelve was molested by his history teacher. To the community, what happened seems clear. But to Josh, their brief affair was something entirely different.

Barry Lyga breaks this story up into four sections. The beginning of the story starts five years later. Josh is in his senior year, but is still dealing with the repercussions of what happened with Mrs. Sherman. To add to matters, she's being released from prison. Rachel, a girl he thought he'd lost years ago, wants to be part of his life. Her persistence will force Josh to go back and reevaluate the events that took away five years of his life.

To say that Lyga's novel is moving would be a gross understatement. Considering the contents, parent might be reluctant to give this book to their teen. If that's the case, read it yourself before judging. And don't read it part of the way and assume you know the rest. Read it to the very end. It's the type of book that will stay with you days after the last page is read.

This book is just what others have stated, complex, disturbing, and difficult subject matter to read. Josh is a well-fleshed out character with major issues from having been sexually abused by his female teacher. He then models this behavior inappropriately with a peer. The struggle he goes through trying to move past all this, when Eve, the abuser gets released is hard to read. The novel is very graphic and I did consider as I read it whether it's young adult level is truly appropriate for middle-school students. I honestly wouldn't purchase it for a teen below the high school level and I think that they need to be aware of the content. The title suggested something different to my high-school teen and she had some issues with Rachel and Josh's interactions based on what happened when they were younger. Also, the plotting with the coach and parents, though it fleshed-out the book, didn't seem as fully developed or necessary given the main focus.

I think that folks need to be aware of the content via the preview blurb before purchasing. If you like a thought-provoking read about a sometimes-real-life issue, this may be the book for you but the graphic details and content made me feel that this is subject matter an adult might be able to deal with and process but that teens (particularly young ones) might not know how respond to after reading.