BEANER O'BRIAN'S ABSOLUTELY GINORMOUS GUIDEBOOK TO GUYS

Author: Naomi Nash ISBN: 0843954035 12/2004 YOUNG ADULT Publisher: DORCHESTER/Smooch

My Summer Vacation at a Glance by Hannah O'Brian What I wanted to do: Twice-weekly afternoon mochaccinos with friends. What I actually did: Twice-weekly visits to the emergency room every time my older sister's wedding jitters ruptured my eardrums. What I wanted to do: Improve relationship with stepmother. What I actually did: Totally lost ability to listen to her utter, 'What's the dilly-o, my homey?' What I wanted to do: Get to Coney Island. What I actually did: Witnessed the freak show that is my future in-laws. What I wanted to do: Find a guy--any guy!--who would treat me like an actual girl instead of just a buddy. What I actually did: Snagged the interest of only the CUTEST member of THE most popular boy band in the history of the western world, thank you very much! What I wanted to do: Finish the abominable school project that's been hanging over my head all summer. What I actually did: Ended up writing the most gigantic, enormous how-to guide ever . . . . Beaner O'Brian's Absolutely Ginormous Guidebook to Guy.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Beaner (a.k.a. Hannah) O’Brian must complete a 5000-word paper as part of a summer project for school. When she selected her topic (the opposite sex), she was certain it would be a snap. Now, with 30 days left of summer vacation, she’s starting to panic. No ideas are coming to her at all. How could she know anything about the opposite sex? She’s never dated and boys always think of her as a buddy.

Of the three Nash books I’ve read, this one is my favorite so far. I found Beaner a realistic portrayal of a tomboy growing up, full of insecurities and frustrations about her friends, family and life in general. Using the pretense of writing a school paper, Ms Nash allows the reader to delve more into what makes Beaner who she is. We learn all about her family’s dynamics, as Beaner begins to analyze the relationships around her. The subplot of Beaner’s friendship with a boy band member is pure fantasy. But, since many teens dream of such a relationship, I didn’t find it out of place here. BEANER O’BRIAN’S ABSOLUTELY GINORMOUS GUIDEBOOK TO GUYS is flirty, fun, and witty, and one I greatly enjoyed reading.

Kendra Patterson