Crush: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Love [Hardcover]

Gary Paulsen (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 8, 2012 | Age Range: 9 and up | Lexile Measure: 780L (What's this?)

Readers met the comical Kevin in Liar, Liar and Flat Broke.  Kevin gets serious about Tina Zabinski, the Most Beautiful Girl in the World. Finally, finally, he's worked up his courage—he's going to ask her out. Or will his trademark scheming get in his way?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Once again, Kevin Spencer (Liar, Liar and Flat Broke) tackles the problems of his world, this time with careful, scientific logic, and no lies. Kevin still has a crush on Tina Zabinski,. He's sure that he is her perfect match, but he won't approach her until he's 100 percent positive that he can win her heart. This doesn't seem likely, since he becomes more awkward and tongue-tied whenever she's around. When handsome and smooth-talking Cash Devine starts moving in on his target, Kevin has to move quickly. Since love is based on chemistry, Kevin decides to set up a series of scientific experiments to help him discover the meaning of love and the way to a girl's heart. While a candlelit dinner for his parents is a disaster and his version of the Cake Walk at the Carnival doesn't quite work out as planned, some seemingly impossible matches do work. Even his jock of a brother and the hockey team members are paired off with lovely figure skaters. Through it all, Kevin is never discouraged, no matter how badly his romantic setups backfire. Joshua Swanson brings Kevin to life with his witty and animated expression, sounding just like an enthusiastic eighth grader in love. Both boys and girls will enjoy Paulsen's novel "study" of young love (Wendy Lamb Bks., 2012), which is totally hilarious and not the least bit mushy.-MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

GARY PAULSEN is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, His most recent books are Flat Broke, Liar, Liar, Lawn Boy Returns, Woods Runner, Masters of Disaster, Notes from the Dog, Mudshark, Lawn Boy, Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day, The Time Hackers, and The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech).

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Product Details

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385742304
• ISBN-13: 978-0385742306
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.6 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newberry Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#45 in Books > Teens

#45 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute story, easy to read March 2, 2013

By L. Krug

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Using the scientific method to find love - how cute! My students enjoyed hearing this story. Gary Paulsen is great to read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A humorous and heartwarming story July 17, 2012

By KidsReads

Format:Hardcover

Eighth-grade student Kevin Spencer is cute and funny --- and a bit full of himself. In his 14 years, he has developed interpersonal skills with the knowledge that "the best way to make other people like you is to show them how great you think they are."

In the past, Kevin's manipulative ways of getting people to like him and do what he wants have been successful to some degree. Now he's working on romance. Kevin considers himself the "most romantic guy you'll ever meet," except that he's never had a girlfriend. In fact, he has never even gone out on a real date. He's hoping to change all that by asking Katrina Maria Zabinski to a middle-school dance. Tina, whose laugh "sounds like bells or angels," is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.

One day, after working up the courage to spring the question on Tina, Kevin walks into the cafeteria and sees her sitting at the lunch table with another guy. To make matters worse, Cash Devine, the new kid at school, has the looks and confidence of a "male-model wannabee."

To win Tina's heart, and learn all about romance, Kevin decides to take a scientific approach and create experiments to observe the behaviors of test subjects. By applying the principles of scientific method, he believes he can understand the chemistry between males and females. In Kevin's mind, to unleash his "inner Casanova," he has to tap into his "inner umm, Copernicus."

The budding Casanova's experiments begin with his family. His observation of his parents, with the help of his young neighbor Markie, ends dismally. Frequently married and often divorced Auntie Buzz doesn't have the best track record in the lasting romance department. Kevin turns to his sister Sarah for help, but she turns the tables on him, which is an eye-opening experience. Kevin's observations of his hockey-playing brother Daniel and some other skating stars yield promising results. Then there are his experiments with health-nut and best friend JonPaul, along with friends Dash and Wheels. His direct attempt at questioning Connie Shaw gets messy, but he learns an important lesson.

While implementing his scientific approach, Kevin reaffirms Sir Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion "that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." He also comes to agree with Francis Bacon that "Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion." In the end, Kevin discovers that the scientific mind is no match for action.

CRUSH is the follow-up to Gary Paulsen's LIAR, LIAR and FLAT BROKE, and readers of these previous books will recognize Kevin's friends and family, and will be introduced to a few new characters. Deftly woven into the story line are some scientific terms and principles. Seen through Kevin's worldview, CRUSH is a humorous and heartwarming story about the wonderful and mysterious matters of the heart.

Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review December 7, 2012

By Shelley Bishop

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Arrived quickly and in good shape. No torn pages or bent bindings. Teenage boys loves the author and reads everything by him.