Book Review: Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

BABE IN BOYLAND by Jody Gehrman
Publication Date: February 17th 2011 by Dial
Rating:

Summary: When high school junior Natalie–or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper–is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want.

But the guys in her class won’t give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected–especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

Review Overview:

• At first, I didn’t think I would enjoy BABE IN BOYLAND
• Do not read this book in public – you will definitely laugh aloud
• Surprisingly, this book was a fun read

After reading the first few chapters, I thought I would hate BABE IN BOYLAND. However, Jody Gehrman proved me wrong: this book was an entertaining read. I found myself sympathizing with Natalie – no one takes her seriously as a journalist or relationship columnist. Her solution: to write a winning piece for the Story of the Year contest about what really goes on in guys’ heads. Her first try at finding these elusive answers is a complete failure: either the boys didn’t trust her or thought she was trying to get into their pants. Thus, she realizes that the only way to find them is to disguise herself as a guy for a week and snoop around a private all-boy boarding school, Underwood Academy.

This is where the fun starts. Without giving too much away, I will list some highlights of the shenanigans Natalie or “Nat” gets herself into:

• An extreme makeover – boy edition
• A “make-out session” in the prop closet
• A date with her hot roommate’s sister
• A midnight swim with said hot roommate (naked, gasp!)
• A cat fight

I do have some issues with the book – for example, Erica’s situation is a loose end that Gehrman does not tie up. Also, I feel that there is not enough interaction between Emilio and Nat. However, I suppose the lack of interaction is because their relationship is not the main storyline.

My favorite line in the book is: “Maybe all human beings are destined to misunderstand each other, regardless of our chromosomes” (206). I like the fact that Natalie thinks about human nature and reflects on her career as the relationship expert at Mountain View High School. Also, her entry for the Story of the Year contest is pretty good, as her piece shows character growth.

I recommend BABE IN BOYLAND to anyone who wants a diverting read. This book definitely deserves a chance – Gehrman’s characters are too funny to ignore.

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