Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones (Signet Books) [Paperback]

Ann Head (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Books | Publication Date: May 1, 1968

Football hero Bo Jo Jones and his girlfriend July are in love. On the night of the prom, they do what so many couples in love do. Soon, July finds out that she is pregnant with Bo Jo's baby and suddenly the life they once knew is over. Now Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones must come to grips with the very adult decision that they must make. It's a situation that holds more possibilities and challenges than they ever bargained for. It could bring them closer-or drive them apart. And as the baby grows and changes, so will they.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Heartwarming...believable. (Washington Star)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Signet (May 1, 1968)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451163192
• ISBN-13: 978-0451163196
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant classic read, June 25, 2007

By 

Sabel (Starkville, MS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones (Signet Books) (Paperback)

Ann Head's Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones is a poignant read about a time gone by. July and Bo Jo are typical teenagers in the 60's when one night together changes their life plans. The story tells how July, Bo Jo and their families deal with an unplanned pregnancy. July tells her story "for whatever it may be worth to some young couple on the brink of the same". July and Bo Jo don't really know each other that well, but they choose to do the "right thing". I won't spoil it by giving too many details.

I first read this book in junior high and that was long ago enough for me, that the word "pregnant" was often whispered in polite company when you were talking about an unmarried woman. Ann Head's book really took me back. As a young teenager reading it the first time, I remember being a little lost because Head wrote so much between the lines. July becomes pregnant in the beginning of the story, but words such as "pregnant", "baby", and "make love" are not memtioned until you are well into the story. I don't think the word sex is ever used. When I began rereading the book, my first thought was "how dated!" But now I realize that Head accurately captured the culture and attitudes of the middle to upper middle class, small southern town, country club society just like I grew up in.

Like many stories it was contemporary when it was written, now it's a classic which reflects a time gone by. Head's characters are clean and crisp. Even though Head uses the voice of July to tell the story as a warning to other young couples, through the dialogue she manages to convey the feelings of disappointment and turmoil that all of the characters experience, including July's siblings. Even though today our attitude about teenage pregnancy appears much more relaxed, the feelings that Head writes about are still relevant.

I enjoyed this book as a young teenager. I think I enjoyed it even more now that I have teenagers. Don't hesitate to let your daughter read it. If you do, I suggest you read it as well, so you can talk about how good the book is (and maybe some other things). Head could have written a preachy story, instead she sticks to the facts and feelings the characters are experiencing and even throws in a twist or two. Do they live happily ever after? Well, I suggest you read the book to find out.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still rings true., November 1, 2005

By 

Cyberlibrarian (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones (Signet Books) (Paperback)

I read this book more than 30 years ago, and I loved it. When I found it was back in print, I bought it, read it again, and still loved it. My parents went out of their way to explain the lessons taught in this book, and I listened. Unfortunately, a lot of kids don't listen, so perhaps a book like this will help. Teen pregnancy is a serious topic, even though it is far more prevalent now than it was in the 1960s, and it is still often dangerous for both the mother and (as we see here) the baby. Kudos to Ms. Head for writing a book on a touchy subject with compassion and empathy.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liked it as much as I did thirty years ago LOL, September 28, 2005

By 

Mrs. M "Evil ThrivesWhen Good Men Do Nothing" (Staten Island New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones (Signet Books) (Paperback)

Wow, I cannot believe that it has been thirty two years since I read this book. At first when I read it I thought wow, this is so cool. What fun it might be to be a mommy at such a young age. The more I read the book though the less fun it seemed like, especially when a girlfriend of mine got pregnant at 16 and had to deal with crying, diapers, midnight feedings yuk..... I am so glad I waited. Well thrity years, five daughters and two grand daughters later I am still glad I waited and I think this book had a little something to do with it, as it was not romanticized (did I spell that right? LOL)in this book. I just ordered it again in paperback as the one I had has fallen apart and my two younger daughters are just the right age to read this book.It must be good, it is still around.