Boys Books

I think the beauty of this book is it addresses what can be an awkward (yet normal) part of life in such a way as to take some of the sting out. Thinking of your children as sexual creatures makes most of us go "ACKKK!" but we had better address it reasonably or we *won't* know what's going on, and that is bad news. This book offers a way to ease into that discussion with our daughters, and humor is such an integral part of our family dialogue anyway, this will make it much easier! I plan to get a copy for each of my girls! What an excellent (and funny!) resource!

This book is not only funny but very insightful. It opened several doors of communication between my sixteen year old daughter and myself. I am able to get needed information about the boy she is dating while sharing a few laughs at the same time.
I have given this test to a couple of boys now, she is actually making better and more concious choices of the boys she is choosing date. She now looks at boys wandering if they would pass the test or not.
I love this book and would recommend it to any parent that has a teenager in the dating scene.

Funny and well written, this book shows the reality of parenthood and I laughed throughout out the entire book. It reminded me of my father, and how much I am like my parents when dealing with my own kids and the sense of humor you have to have to be a parent in today's culture.

I'd reccomend this book to everyone. I also like the fact that the author is a guy who is just a father dealing with the same problems and teenager issues, making it easy to relate to him, from a personal perspective. I have told all my friends about it, and I will be giving the test to every boy that wants to date my daughter.

I borrowed this from my Dad, who also grew up in Minnesota. I couldn't wait to read another chapter every night to see what these 14-year old scalawags would do next. This is a 20th century Huck Finn/Tom Sawyer, unsentimental, but full of love while telling stories that made me laugh out loud. The unfolding story of Bill Bockus (Billy Billy Beaner, Backhouse Cleaner) and his group of pals is something that would be a great gift for a youngster of 12, a Mom or Dad with a young teenager, or someone like myself, a middle-aged gal who had almost forgetten how charming, and maddening, 14-year old boys can be.

This book is a glimpse into the life of a young boy growing up in a small midwestern town in the late 1920's. Billy and his friends romp through childhood having one adventure after another. This author transports the reader back into time and into his his escapades. This is a must read for girls and boys of all ages!

What a great escape to the days when life was simpler, more carefree, and seemingly without worry. A great book for an afternoon when you just want to be entertained and chuckle a lot. Would be wonderful for young people in today's world to get a feel for the early 1900s.

As a male, I was truly unaware of how I connected with gadgets and how I connected with women through my connection with gadgets. When I sat down to analyze what the author had written, I realized that he has hit, dead on, how males function with the world around them. Written in a light style, this book is a must for all women who want to figure out why men seem to be more connected with their toys than they are their marriages. Buy it...you won't regret it!

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS: UNDERSTANDING MEN BY UNDERSTANDING THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GADGETS provides a fun, light survey of how men use gadgets to make statements about freedom, knowledge, independence and even lost childhood. From telephones to remote controls, differences between male and female perspectives and usage offers insights into behavior, choice, and marketing to men. Academic and public library Business Studies reference collections will find it an appealing pick as suitable for business pursuits as for light general-interest reading for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the psychology of men and their attachment to technology.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The author of this book contacted me some time ago for my input about gadgets because he had heard that I am fascinated by the latest and greatest stuff. After we talked, he asked if I would write a few paragraphs about my favorite toy. I think he expected some electronic gizmo but instead I wrote about my motorcycle.
Here is, in part, what I wrote:
"One of my passions is riding my motorcycle, a Honda 750 Aero. I know it's a cliché but riding is freedom and excitement. When you're on a motorcycle you can't think of anything else other than the ride. You are forced to be in the moment and pay attention to the least stimuli. Unlike being in a car, you have excellent visibility coupled with vulnerability. Your senses are constantly bombarded. You feel every crack in the road and every odor in the air. Rain and road debris are not just inconveniences, they are life threatening challenges. In our digital age, motorcycling is analog, Taking a sharp curve is not ones and zeros, it's in betweens and shades. A little throttle here, a little lean there. Conditions change every nano-second."
Well, this made it into the book among the other boys and their toys.
What's great about this book, is that it explains to women what makes men tick, and especially why they like gadgets. Adler shows how you can learn about a guy's personality through the kind of gadgets he buys (or doesn't buy), and I have to say that the author nailed it. But the book goes beyond merely explaining men's behavior. It's tells our wives and girlfriends that toys and gadgets are important for men. For example, they give us a sense of (and sometimes real) freedom; toys let us relive parts of our boyhood; toys relieve stress.
This is part gadget book, part pop psychology and all fun to read. This book is a winner (and not just because I'm in it!).

This brilliant picture book by a German author/illustrator was first published in Zurich in 2004 and was finally released here (by a British publisher) in 2007. The publishing history has caused its failure to attract the attention it deserves. I've very successfully utilized it as a read-aloud with third and fourth graders. It is a laugh-out-loud turnabout tale.

What a sweet and refreshing book! It's the perfect gift for all of the little guys in my life.

If you have Sons, Daughters or both-this by far is the funniest book for the young and old!!! I think we have purchased over 8 of these books for friends/family!!

I really enjoyed this book. It was exciting, funny and very interesting to read. I really liked the chapter when the boys, Barry, Noah, Petey and Andy built a camp out of PawPaw trees and then a herd of cows came and knocked down their camp.

I also liked the part where Barry tried to drive his mother's car. I'm 12 and every boy or girl that is 12 should read this great book.

This is the second book of the Tommytown series. I read the first book about 3 months ago and I really enjoyed it. The book covers a lot about Barry and his brothers, Noah, Petey and Andy. There is also a story about Karen and her sister Maggie. I liked Karen better this time because now she wants to be friends with Barry. She's 14 years old now and I guess she is like my sister when she got that age and started to change. In the story she even wants to play hide and seek with Barry and his brothers and she also begs Barry to teach her to drive their mothers car. Barry gives in to her, but he shouldn't have because he got into trouble again with his mother.

I liked the part where Barry, Noah, Petey and Chris all go camping in the field. They build a camp out of Paw Paw trees and sleep in it that night. But guess what after all that work the next morning a herd of cows come thru and knock down their camp.

There are a lot of other adventures that the boys do and they seem to be always busy and they like each other a lot. I liked Barry the best because he was always watching out for his younger brothers, even when he was telling them what to do.

If you haven't read this book please do because its super!

I thought this book was a great story about the boys that lived in Tommytown. I kept reading about Barry, Noah, Chris and Petey and how they built a camp in a field out of paw paw trees and then the next morning while they were sleeping the cows came and ran right through it. Barry was mad because the herd destroyed his camp, but I laughed. I liked the story about Barry trying to drive his mother's car all by himself. His sister Karen dared him to do it, so he did. His mother was mad when she found out and made them bring it back all by themselves. They didn't really because a nice man towed it back home for them.

The family is poor but you wouldn't know it by the way the story is written. The boys just seem to have fun everyday. I liked the story very much and I think any boy my age or girl should read it. You won't be sorry!

I got some strange looks while reading this book on the subway, because I was laughing out loud. The writing is so smart and funny. It really rings true. I can think of examples of every bird/boy in the book. I am going to buy a copy of this book for all of my single friends! I love it.

Girls: If you're like me, "normal" dating guides leave you feeling nauseous. This tongue-in-cheek guide finally treats dating (or "mating") with the levity it deserves. Wonder which bird you're nesting with? Want to seek out your dream bird in his natural habitat? Whether you're dating or in a serious relationship, finding out which bird you're naturally attracted to--or identifying the one you're with--will help you avoid ruffled feathers. After reading "Boys of a Feather," I discovered that I'm continually pursuing a swan but what I really should be after is an eagle. Now when I meet a guy I can't help but try and determine which species of bird he is, which if you think about it, makes the whole process that much more fun. It's kind of like picturing your date in his Calvins. Whether or not you subscribe to Amy and Meg's theory, this book is a hoot.

This book is a sensational read. Very indepth, very interesting and easy to understand. Amy did a fabulous job on this and I want my copy signed. This is a nationally known writer and reporter for a very distinguished publication and I can see she used all of her learned skills to make this book well worth buying.

Interesting and pleasant book to read that tells the story of the USS NC through the experiences from certain crewmen.

The author has interviewed numerous former crew stationed throughout the ship and focuses primarily on their personal observations, duties, and lives (personal and onboard). Some crew for example that the book follows are a 5" mount crewmember, a radioman, Kingfisher pilot, bow 20mm gunner, and many more.

Rather than simply tell the more common (and possibly dry reading) "bio" of the ship, the author uses the experiences of the crew to tell the story. For example, because of this, rather than simply stating how many crew were killed or injured at such-and-such occasion, the author put them in a personal perspective where you know their names, duties, and where and what they were doing when they died or were wounded. In each case where a crewman was killed in action, by accident or natural causes the authore tells their stories. The lives of the crew are also followed on liberty in the pacific and in the US - some visting the ladies, bars, others sightseeing, etc.

Throughout the book there are numerous photos of the crewmen that the book relates to, the ship/equipment, and other random interesting images from the battleship's archives (like the purple heart cake made for the USS Kidd after the friendly fire incident.)

In short, the book tells the story of certain crewman and in doing so tells the story of the USS NC.

For a good companion piece that focuses more on the in-depth service history and techincal/machine side of the battleship, check out Ben Blee's "Battleship North Carolina."

I have visited the battleship about 10-15 times in my 50+ years of life. This book brings the history of the ship and the young men who served her into a greater perspective.

The book covers in detail the ship from it's inception up to the end of the war. No detail is missed in the lives of the sailors. Especially gripping are the accounts of the ones who were killed in action. The book wraps up with a final chapter with touching details of some of the recent reunions for the surviving crew members.

This is a must read for anyone interested in history, and especially for those with an interest in the naval history of WWII.

This is a wonderful book that gives you an insight of what our young men were like and their personal experiences during WWII aboard the USS Battleship North Carolina. I'll have to admit that I cried several times as I read the book; the experiences were powerful and the writer portrayed them with such insight and feeling.

Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers) is one of the best shoujo manga out there. This series just gets better and better. Writer Yoko Kamio's art is refreshingly different from other manga art, in which all males and females look disturbingly - somehow - the same. I shrieked with laughter reading the funny parts - which are written and drawn with true comedic skills.

Volume Three opens after The Big Kiss. Tsukushi and Tsukasa are staring at each other, Tsukasa looking stunningly gorgeous with his new hairstyle. On the party boat, there is heavy petting going on, except among Tsukushi, Tsukasa, and Kazuya. Hilarity ensues when the two guys get into a chest-puffing argument about who can catch the most cuttlefish.

After the cruise ends, so does summer. With the start of the new semester, Tsukasa is at first eager to go to school. But when he stumbles upon Tsukushi and Rui having a conversation in "their" stairwell, he snaps. Tsukasa goes from bully to psycho, terrorizing hapless students who get in his way. Even the rest of the F-4 tells him to stop, that he is going too far.

Later that evening, Tsukushi runs into the wrong side of Tsukasa - but they are all alone at school, and there is no one to help her.

Hana Yori Dango, Volume 3...

Starts off with Kazuya being spastic about Tsukasa's kiss with Tsukushi. Everyone in the room begins A)gasping, B)accusing Tsukushi of being a pauper, or C)staring and shaking their heads. (D- making out! haha no.) Tsukushi, feeling pressured and dirty- eww! she kissed Tsukasa!- goes outside onto the boats balcony thing. Tsukasa follows her and says MORE pompus things ('Aren't you glad your first kiss was with me?'), which does NOT HELP, you idiot.

I'm going to skip the rest and focus on the best part of the story now. Haha, sorry, otherwise I'll just tell you the whole thing!

Tsukasa is actually happy about the new semester, only because he gets to play another prank (or 'plank', as he calls it) on Tsukushi. But then that stupid group of girls who don't DESERVE to have names piss him off. They show him a tape of Rui and Tsukushi on the boat. And then they tell him about the meetings on the emergency stairwell. Tsukasa, in short, goes on a rampage and beats this one kid up (in the anime, he only stops because of the health teacher, who doesn't exist in the manga). Then , to prove his insanity, he throws a chair out a window. After school, Tsukushi forgets her books at the staircase, where she sees Tsukasa waiting for her. Tsukasa then directly assults Tsukushi.... And I say no more!

Great series- I give it an A+! The herione isn't wimpy or just pathetic like others are. Wonderful! But if you live in America, like I do, the books come out VERY slowly. Ugh. The next on comes out December (2004), which isn't that far away. I can't wait!

In Volume 3 of Boys over Flowers, if you had ANY doubts of Domiyogi liking Tsukushi, they will END here in Vol. 3. I personally knew it from Vol. 1. But his feelings in this book seem to have grown a lot, and that shows very much so as the story goes on.

I don't want give to much away, but after Domiyogi kissed Tsukushi, as usual*(pretending he does not care for her) he says that she kiss him. And of course it was dark, and its Domiyogi, so no one will argue with that. Tsukushi is absolutely mortified, but yet somehow after that kiss, she said it was like the best day she's had in a long time. Could it be because she really cares about Domiyogi? And just like him, wont admit it?

Throughout Vol. 3, we get examples of what makes Domiyogi and Tsukishi alike, even though their upbring is so different:

1. They're both EXTREMELY hard headed. - We have seen throughout the series just how hard-headed Domiyogi is, but also more subtley how hard-head Tsukushi is. She obviously has to be to put up with the F4 and stick with what she believes in. And not only that, but just like Domiyogi, she wont admit her feelings. It is becoming more appearent that she likes him, but she hasn't even realized it yet because she wont give the idea a chance to sit in her brain. As soon as it appears, she quickly dismisses it.

2. We are given clear examples of how violent they are. -They are both willing to hurt people when they see fit. Domiyogi has often seemed more cruel and extreme, and in this book he really flies off the handle and goes crazy, but so does Tsukushi. And the same line is given when the worst case happens "You're going to kill him!!!". So this must be linking the two together more. And also in the same seen, one of the F4 compare Tsukushi's violent behavior to Domiyogi, saying she's "As bad as he is".

3. They're both too proud. - The reason Domiyogi wont admit gis feelings is because he has a rep to live up to, and he always calls the less-privelaged rude names. If he were to admit his feelings for Tsukushi he would be saying he was wrong, and once again he's to hard-headed for that. In the first book we see him trying to transform Tsukushi to make her more "acceptable". Now he doesn't exactly say that, but I believe because of his pride he felt that dating her or hanging out with her wouldn't be a problem if she were rich, or at least looked it.

Tsukushi is to proud to mingle with the Richies as well, as we see in the beginning. Now we have only been given examples of a--hole rich kids, until Kazuya, her old childhood friend came in. But he was not born rich, so its not the same. Shizuka however has been the only example so far of a nice rich kid. But the thing is, in the beginning we saw that because of Tsukushi's pride she didn't want to look for nice rich kids, she assumed they were all jerks, all she wanted to do was coast through. Of course had that happened, this series would've been extremely boring. :p

So as of Volume 3, this is what I have noticed from reading Boys over Flowers. And based on that stuff alone, it looks like something is already cooking between Domiyogi and Tsushuki, and maybe in the next couple Volumes something will actually happen, because Domiyogi and Tsukushi are quite different, yet they also have a lot in common, so it is possible once they both get over themselves, they'll find love. At least, that's what I think. :D

I *hope* you *enjoy* Volume 3, as it is just as good as the last two, maybe better. :D

So *enjoy* & God Bless ~Amy

Recommended by my 5 year old son's pre-school teacher. He and two other boys have constant struggles with alliances. Great book for him to identify with the characters, their lives and who they are playing with that day...Love books that kids can really see themselves in.

After checking out this book from our library, we read it several times a day and can't wait to buy this one. I love how the story is told through this little boys perspective. We just love this one.

My 5-year-old son loves this book, he wants to read it every night. We love the playful language of Jacob and his descriptions of his ever-busy days. The illustrations of the ethnically-diverse youngsters are colorful and delightful. Jacob has quite an imagination - like all 5-year-olds, and the book is great fun.

There she was, perched on the living room couch, hot tea next to her, book in hand, reading in a quiet room: My daughter! MINE!? Yes, my smart girl had finally found a book that inspired her to read without being prodded, assigned or threatened. She cheered for the Tenisha character and is eager to know what's next in the installment of books, and I'm proud of her for setting -- and reaching -- a goal of completing the book during her hectic Christmas break. My thanks to JC for writing such a great story for girls like mine.

I read this book with my tween daughter. We both enjoyed it. It is rare to find a book that speaks to both of us. It also gave us an opportunity to discuss the issues facing Tenisha, my daughter and every other girl in this age group. It also is a powerful reminder that the mother daughter relationship should be continually nurtured.

Reading this book took me back to my teenage days and my love for Judy Blume. This is a great coming of age story and I would highly recommend that every woman reads this book and buys a copy for her daughter, niece or little sister. I can't wait to read the next in the series!