Shut Out [Hardcover]

Kody Keplinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2011

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Poppy; 1 edition (September 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780316175562
• ISBN-13: 978-0316175562
• ASIN: 0316175560
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Teens > Sports & Hobbies > Girls in Sports

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A fantastic debut - I can't wait to read more.' -- Goodreads.com 'Expect to be recommending The DUFF to friends for years to come.' -- Romantic Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Kody Keplinger was only 17 when she wrote her debut novel, THE DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend), which was an ALA 2011 Quick Picks selection. She grew up in a small town in Kentucky, where she began her writing career. When she isn't writing, she enjoys going to the theater, hanging out in bookstores, and eating Thai food. Kody currently lives in New York City, where she can do all of those things regularly. You can find out more about Kody and her books on her website: www.kodykeplinger.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Poppy; 1 edition (September 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780316175562
• ISBN-13: 978-0316175562
• ASIN: 0316175560
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Teens > Sports & Hobbies > Girls in Sports

More About the Author

Kody Keplinger is a TV buff, a Converse tennis shoe enthusiast, and a self-proclaimed hippie. She's the author of three Young Adult novels, including THE DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend), SHUT OUT, and A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHTMARE. She wrote THE DUFF during her senior year of high school in small town, rural Kentucky. Now, she lives in New York City, eats way too much Thai food, and lives in fear of the day when she is buried alive by all of her books. You can find her online at kodykeplinger.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that teen girls should read. September 15, 2011

By Heidi

Format:Hardcover

Five Stars: This is an important book that young adult girls should read as it discusses candidly and tactfully the taboo subject of sex.

For some reason when I began my e book Shut Out I mistakenly thought I was reading a book about football. Instead I was surprised to find a book dealing with teenage sexuality. I applaud Ms. Keplinger's efforts with this book. She tackles a challenging issue not only for teenage girls but also adult women. She opens the door to the subject with candor and tact. This is certainly a book that mothers and daughters could read together and talk over. Though this book deals with a heavy topic it is done discreetly. There are no graphic sex scenes. Instead it is about a group of girls who band together and form a pact to withhold any type of sexual activity from their boyfriends to bring about the end of an ongoing school feud involving the football and soccer teams. Along the way they gain a new understanding regarding sexuality and learn something about themselves.

What I Liked:
*Lissa, our protagonist. She is a complex teenage girl. She is obsessive compulsive and insecure. What I appreciated most was her maturation. She slowly discovers that sex is a personal experience for everyone. What is right for one person may not work for another. Deciding to have sex or remain a virgin is a private decision. No one can be categorized as weird or normal based on their preference. She finally learns that it is her choice. Such an important message that everyone should heed.
*Chloe, at first she came across as the slutty, bad girl but there is so much more to her character. She is comfortable in her sexuality and not afraid to show it, regardless of what people think or say about her.... She is an example of the double standard that exists between the sexes. It was so invigorating to find a teenage girl content in her own skin. She is also funny and loyal and a good friend and confidant. I admired this character. If only more if us could free ourselves of societal constraints and bindings.
*Cash, our male protagonist. I wish the majority of teenage boys were like him. He is charming, kind, patient and above all respectful to girls.
*Finally, the many issues that were addressed in this book. The girls slowly begin an open dialogue regarding sexual intimacy. Most of the prevalent issues are covered. I truly appreciated the overall message; that sex is a personal choice and preference for every individual. Be comfortable with your own decision and do not let others influence or disparage your selections.

And The Not So Much:
*This book deals with many aspects of sex but one big, important issue that was not covered at all in this book is safe sex. There was absolutely no thoughts or discussion regarding birth control, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. I felt that this should have at least been mentioned considering the monumental importance of these topics.
*The language in this book may deter some readers sensitive to books with swearing especially when the big, bad "F word" is present. I realize that this is the reality of teenage dialogue but it would be a shame for someone to miss the important messages that this book has to offer because of the offending language.

Shut Out is a novel that deals with several crucial topics facing young adults today. I would recommend this book for mature teenagers who are just beginning to grapple with sexual issues. Though this book covers a heavy subject, it is done in a considerate manner. Aside from some offensive language, it is a book that I think parents and teens can utilize to open their own discourse regarding sex.

Favorite Quotations:

"I want to be normal, but no one talks about sex, so how should I know what normal is?"
"I don't think normal exists."

"Sure, it had started because of the sports feud, but now it was about so much more. It was about independence and confidence and breaking free of stereotypes and labels."

"Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that things will work out. Let go a little and let life happen. You don't want to miss out on the best parts of life just because you were afraid of getting hurt."

"But she had known something all along that I hadn't: that being ashamed of what you want or how you feel is pointless, and letting anyone else make you feel ashamed is a waste. We all wanted different things, and that was okay."

"Like maybe they'd thought about their relationships, about sex.
Like maybe this whole thing had changed them as much as it had changed me."

"I'm not the same girl who let you make me feel guilty for not doing the things you wanted me to do. I'm done with that, and I'm done with you." Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great story! November 21, 2011

By J. M. Hicks

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I fell in love with Keplinger's The DUFF, so I had to read her newest story Shut Out. I was not disappointed! The story is about Lissa who is having trouble with her quarterback boyfriend who is caught in a decade long rivalry between the football team and the soccer team. After a few injuries due to pranks and quality time lost between couples, Lissa decides to put an end to the rivalry and get's all the football girlfriends together to propose a sex strike.

Besides the sex strike Lissa has other problems in her life, like a small attraction to a very attractive and charming Cash Sterling (God even his name is amazing) who is a player on the soccer team.

The book starts off slow and I was wondering where things were headed, but things certainly pick up. The homecoming dance had two of the biggest shockers of the book. One I saw coming and the other one came completely out of left field. I couldn't turn my electronic pages fast enough.

The ending was great and I have already re-read the book again, that's how much I enjoyed it! I do recommend both Keplinger's 'The DUFF' and this story 'Shut Out'

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Shut Out vs. Lysistrata January 4, 2012

By Kristin Feliz

Format:Hardcover

Shut Out, like many of my favorite books, made its way into my life because of fate/destiny. Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic, but I never expected to come across it the way I did. I was attending a Young Adult author panel (mentioned here) where Kody Keplinger read a passage from her novel, which she explained was a modern retelling of Aristophanes' Lysistrata.

She had me at Aristophanes.

I knew the premise of Lysistrata and I was excited to see how Keplinger would modernize the tale and make it her own. Let me tell you, she didn't disappoint. The book turned out to be such a refreshing and fun read. I'll go ahead and warn you, though (especially if you're not familiar with Lysistrata) that the novel revolves around SEX, SEX and more SEX.

Cover your ears, children ;D

I thought Keplinger did a really great job of bringing this type of story to life. I appreciate that she breached a subject that is frequently acknowledged, but never fully discussed, in YA lit. (Touchy, I know!) And she does it in a way that doesn't come off as preachy or judgmental.

She even goes so far as to touch on the double standard that exists between men and women. You know the one! I believe Christina Aguilera said it best:

"If you look back in history it's a common double standard of society. The guy gets all the glory, the more he can score, while the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore"

Mm-hm, Sistah!

All jokes aside, Keplinger brings up a great point. At the end of the day sex is a choice. It's YOUR choice and there isn't a right or wrong answer.

So, thank you Kody, for allowing your novel to act as a spark for realistic, and sometimes even difficult, conversation....

A trait all good books should be in possession of.

From GrowingUpYA dot Blogspot dot Com Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Life gives you lemons you make lemonade November 4, 2011

By Angelscryhavoc

Format:Kindle Edition

Shut out! Love it! I loved the girl power and the proof that there are moments that you can take something into your own hands and change the balance of a situation. Life gives you lemons you make lemonade! Like the old saying goes and this is definitely one of those stories that leaves you feeling empowered you laugh , you cry, you even find a moment where you want to shake Lissa and other moments where you want to cheer her on and tell her YOU GO GIRL! And shout out with glee.

I would definitely show this book to my daughter when she gets older and suggest it to her. I like how it will help some of the younger girls with their sexuality and let them know that it's ok to feel how they want to feel and be and do what they want to do and most of all to say no when they want to say no to any situation.

The story starts out with Lissa and her boyfriend at the time Randy , having a heated make out session in the back of his car right before the rivalry between the soccer and football teams interrupts that for several chapters you read how this rivalry has went on for ten years and is getting progressively more dangerous for the boys of both teams. Till Lissa tired of being ignored and abandoned for said rivalry gathers all the girlfriends of the opposing teams and sets them down for a discussion. All pledge to a no sex rule, no anything with their boyfriends until the rivalry comes to and end and the boys learn to work together. This works out for the best for them all but not without some surprising consequences leading to the girls all banding together to support one another, and realize that they have the support and tight nit friendship they all need to make it through even when close to the end Lissa starts to loose her way a little as well...