Busted: Confessions of an Accidental Player [Hardcover]

Antony John (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 2008

I feel like I'm about to pass out, but that won't do much for my new reputation as a non-dork, so I bury my head in the Book instead. There's not much there, really—just the senior portrait of every girl in my class, and below each photo, space for me to record her measurements—once I get her measurements, that is.

From his flute-playing prowess to his nerdy reputation, Kevin Mopsely epitomizes uncool. When popular jock Brandon Trent appoints Kevin to compile the Book of Busts—a record of the bust, waist, and hip measurements of every senior girl—Kevin fears he's out of his league. The Book, however, is the key to his popularity, so Kevin accepts the challenge—uncovering much more than he bargained for in the process.

Busted is a hilarious and provocative debut that tackles the intricate issues of first love, testosterone-laden peer pressure, feminism, and "GRRL power" with a fresh and unique voice that will appeal to both male and female teenage readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8–10—High school senior Kevin Mopsely holds the first-chair flute position in the school band and has a knack for alienating pretty girls. So it comes as a huge surprise to everyone when überjock and alpha male Brandon Trent appoints him to an important role in the Graduation Rituals. Kevin's been made the compiler of the Book of Busts, a notebook that purports to contain years of measurements of every girl in every graduating class. On one level, he is thrilled to find himself in a previously unreachable echelon of high school society, but as the son of a women's studies professor, he knows that it's wrong to treat his female classmates so disrespectfully, especially as he finds himself falling for his sweet, smart, funny best friend, Abby. This novel begins on a high note in the opening chapter, as John uses a light and humorous touch to delineate the friendship between geeks-of-a-feather Kevin and Abby. The rest of the novel is far less satisfying, however; the author's depiction of an American high school rings false in almost every respect, and the characters are flat, stereotyped, and, except where it serves the machinations of the plot, one-dimensional. The message about feminism and respect between the sexes is certainly a valuable one, but teens will be turned off by the plot's too-obvious lessons and moralizing tone.—Meredith Robbins, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Antony John (Seattle) was born in England and raised on a balanced diet of fish and chips, obscure British comedies, and ABBA's greatest hits. In a pique of teenage rebellion, he decided to pursue a career in classical music, culminating in a BA from Oxford University and a Ph.D. from Duke University.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Flux; 1 edition (October 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738713732
• ISBN-13: 978-0738713731
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Antony John was born in England and raised on a balanced diet of fish and chips, obscure British comedies, and ABBA's Greatest Hits. In a fit of teenage rebellion, he decided to pursue a career in classical music, culminating in a BA from Oxford University and a PhD from Duke University. Along the way, he worked as an ice cream seller on a freezing English beach, a tour guide in the Netherlands, a chauffeur in Switzerland, a barista in Seattle, and a university professor. Writing by night, he spends his days as a stay-at-home dad--the only job that allows him to wear his favorite pair of sweatpants all the time. He lives in St. Louis with his family.

Visit him at: http://www.antonyjohn.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun read!, September 27, 2008

By 

Steven Payne - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Busted: Confessions of an Accidental Player (Hardcover)

With a story that zips along and makes you smile on every page, this book is really fun to read whether you are currently living the nightmare of high school or want to reminisce a little about the good and the bad times of your younger years when emotions ran high and you thought your world was going to collapse every other week.

Definitely one to pick up. Congratulations Antony on a great first novel!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, May 27, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Busted: Confessions of an Accidental Player (Hardcover)

Brookbank High is a typical high school, complete with jocks, cheerleaders, and social misfits, including one Kevin Mopsely.

Kevin has the misfortune of playing the flute - and playing it well. He has never been popular, until an accidental encounter with the senior class's infamous Graduation Rituals committee leaves him in charge of compiling the notorious Book of Busts, a book containing the physical measurements of each girl in the senior class.

Suddenly, Kevin finds himself in with an entirely new crowd, and he's finding that his newfound popularity isn't quite what it's cracked up to be. It seems as though everyone is beginning to hate him, including his best friend, Abby White, a girl with whom he just might be in love.

Can he figure out how to make things right before it's too late?

Antony John plunges the reader deep into the treacherous waters of high school with this lighthearted book. His characters are genuine, and his dialogue is quick and snappy. While some situations appear contrived, and the plot progresses predictably, BUSTED remains an entertaining and fun read.

Reviewed by: Rebecca Wells

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read, February 22, 2011

By 

Jolene Perry - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Busted: Confessions of an Accidental Player (Kindle Edition)

That poor boy...
I'm telling you, I just kept feeling like he was about to get screwed from all sides... and he sort of did. I also wanted to shake him! But I mean that in a good way. I loved the character and books for me are all about characters.