From School Library Journal
Grades 5-8--Thirteen-year-old McKay has to improve his algebra grade or he'll have to quit the baseball team. His friend Tony thinks the solution to his dilemma is to get to know Serena, a pretty girl with a history of straight A's. If McKay can convince her that he likes her, then he'll have the help he needs and Tony can flirt with her two friends. Everything works beautifully until Serena uncovers the plot, and her friends become enemies when Tony turns out to be a less-than-suave boyfriend. McKay's grade improves, but he takes no satisfaction from all the effort without Serena to share in his success, because he really does like her. He also has to deal with his little brother who shares his room and keeps getting into all his stuff, and parents who just don't seem to understand that an eighth grader needs a room of his own. Rallison uses humor and realistic characters to bring the boy's problems to a satisfying conclusion. The protagonist is genuine, honest, and endearing without being sappy or pathetic next to the more Casanovalike Tony. Plus, this book is really funny. It should be a hit with anybody interested in boys, girls, baseball, friends, and that mysterious world of a first crush.
Linda Bindner, formerly at Truman State University, Kirksville, MOCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Gr. 5-7. Honesty and common sense serve an eighth-grader well in initial encounters with the opposite sex in this genial exercise in behavior modeling. McKay may be a star on the baseball field, but not for long if he doesn't pull up his algebra grade. Pushed by his libidinous friend Tony, he warily approaches classmate Serena for some tutoring--and to his surprise, gets a warm reception. Rallison contrasts McKay, diffident, respectful, and with an unconscious gift for saying or doing the right thing, with Tony, who is all strut and attitude. Amidst much note passing, adolescent intrigue, and various family-related subplots, McKay bumbles his way through a brief crisis with Serena, then convinces her that at their ages it's wiser to be plain friends than boy- and girlfriend. The intent here is plainly to impart advice--but the lesson is delivered without lectures, in a set of situations that readers will have little trouble relating to, and through the eyes of a likable hero who doesn't let either heroism or hormones go to his head.
John PetersCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
