Customer Reviews

Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones (Signet Books)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I am a 39 year old woman. I read this wonderful book while I was sunbathing at the tender age of 15. It left such an impression on me that 25 years later, I can still close my eyes and remember lying there reading that book. It is truely a wonderful book for all teenagers to read. I wish they would make it mandatory for all young teenagers to read in school. This book is such a lesson in life and is so very realistic. I am purchasing this book again for my soon to be sixteen year old daughter. Please any young adult, male or female, take the time to read this book!! My hat's off to the author.

I read this book about 15 or 20 years ago and I still remember it as though if were yesterday. It was a great story and is responsible for my great love of reading. I have searched for years to find a book as captivating as Mr and Mrs Bo Jo Jones was for me back then but have yet to find one. I plan on giving it to my daughter when she is a teen.

I loved this book even though i HAD to read it for school it was such a great book i couldnt put it down..i even cried at the end. This book was wonderful great for teenagers like me and for all ages you really need to know how to get into a book...

Mr and Mrs Bo Jo Jones, by Ann Head, is probably the most realistic book out there about teenage lives, touching on many deep and emotional topics. It gives a gruesomely real look at two teenagers who are in trouble, with the whole world turning its back unfeelingly towards them. July, the main character of the story, ends up pregnant and choiceless after a fun "romp" with her boyfriend, Bo Jo Jones. After debating the matter, they decide, against their parents wishes, to get married. After this, this book turns into a rollercoaster ride of tears, fears, and a hope that everything will turn out right. I can't give away the ending, but let me tell you, I had to fight back tears after reading it(I was in history class, it'd look pretty stupid if I was crying in the middle of the Holy Wars). Read this book. It will seriously make you think about what would happen to you if you where in this position.

Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones by Ann Head is a book that all teens and adults can relate to. I recommend that teen boys and girls read this book, and if you did not read it as an adolescent you should read it now. The main characters of the book are July Greher who is sixteen, and her boyfriend Bo Jo Jones, who is seventeen. The story is told primarily from July's point of view. The circumstances under which teens have sex are the same today as those depicted in the novel. After the prom July has sex with her date, Bo Jo. July did not know how to tell her parents nor Bo Jo that she was pregnant. July and Bo Jo get married because of the baby. July is now a teen mother who is married and who has dropped out of high school. Statistics show that most girls who get pregnant as teenagers drop out of school to take care of their baby. The girls who do drop out attend another school such as night school or a learning center. Also statistics show that most guys bail out even before the baby is born. Bo Jo, on the other hand, is not a statistic; he was there for July. Three of my friends have gotten pregnant and I am sad to say that one of the baby's dads does not want to help the mother. Another one of the couples that I know is getting married. In this couple the teen mother dropped day school and attends night school, but during most of the day the mother is working to make some money. This couple reminds me of July and Bo Jo very much. The third mother, I am sad to say, that when she found out she was pregnant, she was not positive who the baby's father was. With tests to confirm it she now knows the father. July is lucky in the way that Bo Jo gave up his dreams and life to support her and the baby. Bo Jo keeps his mouth shut throughout most of the story. He does not say much to anyone. The only time that Bo Jo talked was when he was with July or was really mad. Most teenage marriages fall apart soon after the baby is born. Some people get married just for the baby; they really don't love each other. This is what happened to July and Bo Jo: they got married for the baby. They love each other, but their marriage at the beginning was not based totally on love. They first got married because of the baby. There is another mother in this story her name is Lou. This mother is young and she is also a singer. She is also married; she and her husband are a contrast to July and Bo Jo. Lou and her husband get married because they love each other, not for a baby. Lou and her husband do not have a very good relationship. Then she finds out she is pregnant and decides to have an abortion. I really did enjoy this book. It changed my whole outlook on love and marriage. I feel that all teens should have to read this book. This book was a choice I made for an English class and I am glad I picked it. Anyone who has a teen son or daughter should recommend this book. It just might open up a discussion on saying no to sex and what to do if someone wants you have sex with them.

This is the story of two teenagers who have to grow up too fast. While it might have been written 40 years ago, it is a timeless story that is a very enjoyable read.

July is 16 and her boyfriend Boswell Johnson Jones (Bo Jo) is 17. One night after somebody spikes the punch at a party they go to they end up together on a secluded beach. Several weeks later July realizes that she is pregnant. She tells Bo Jo, and they end up getting married.

The two setts of parents are not happy at first, but realize that they must put their anger aside for the sake of July, Bo Jo and their baby. At first July and Bo Jo live with his parents, but after a few months they move into the garage apartment of an older lady.

Everything is not all hunky dory when they move into the apartment however. July and Bo Jo fight over almost everything (money, work, his former girlfriend, her relationship with a friend Bo Jo doesnt like.) Things come to a head though towards the end of the pregnancy when it looks like Bo Jo and July might not make it.

What happens with the baby? Will July and Bo Jo make it? read Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones

I saw the tv movie of this story that was done in the early 70's starring Desi Arnaz Jr. It was fantastic, wish I could find a copy of it but this book, as usual is as good if not better. It really makes you see what trials and tribulations there are to having a child and raising this child, especially when you are not ready for one. It is difficult for an adult, almost unbearable as a teenager. And this book helps to show that. If it only makes one teenage girl or boy think twice about taking on the adult requirements that unprotected sex can cause it is worth everything.