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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
At 12, Josh Mendel was never really the kind of kid you’d expect to get into major trouble—but then he meets his history teacher, Eve, and that’s when everything changes. Like many boys his age, he has a crush on Eve, and is surprised to find out one day that Eve really likes him, too. In the months that follow, Eve teaches him how to please her sexually, and makes him promise not to tell anyone about their “special relationship.” Confused by the adult feelings aroused by his affair with Eve, Josh blows their cover when he accidentally almost rapes his childhood friend, Rachael, after she engages him in an innocent make-out session.
Five years later, Eve is in prison, and Josh is still reeling in the aftermath. He and Rachael are no longer friends—in fact, he barely has but one friend, Zeke, still left from childhood. He’s angry all the time, gets into trouble constantly, and finds it difficult to forgive himself for what almost happened to Rachael. Will he always be known as “that kid that banged the history teacher?” More importantly, was it really love that he and Eve had? Or was he actually molested as his parents and the police claim?
Parents, never fear. Boy Toy isn’t quite the illicit sex-fest you may fear it to be (though it does have a few sex-scene flashbacks). The purpose of the novel is to examine one teen’s struggle to recover from a complex, traumatizing situation, and in my opinion, it does that perfectly. With well-developed characters and quick pacing, I’d recommend this novel for mature teens, ages 16-18.
Five years later, Eve is in prison, and Josh is still reeling in the aftermath. He and Rachael are no longer friends—in fact, he barely has but one friend, Zeke, still left from childhood. He’s angry all the time, gets into trouble constantly, and finds it difficult to forgive himself for what almost happened to Rachael. Will he always be known as “that kid that banged the history teacher?” More importantly, was it really love that he and Eve had? Or was he actually molested as his parents and the police claim?
Parents, never fear. Boy Toy isn’t quite the illicit sex-fest you may fear it to be (though it does have a few sex-scene flashbacks). The purpose of the novel is to examine one teen’s struggle to recover from a complex, traumatizing situation, and in my opinion, it does that perfectly. With well-developed characters and quick pacing, I’d recommend this novel for mature teens, ages 16-18.
The Book was well written. It talks about a major issue that happens in real life. I read this a day and finished at 1am. Could not put it down. I can't believe Josh was worrying about this teacher who molested him, about what she's doing after she got out of jail. And that he still blames himself even though it wasn't his fault. He was young boy going through puberty and had a crush on his teacher, she saw that and took advantage of that. She manipulated him into thinking that he loved her and she loved him. She took his teen years from him and a lot more. I can't believe his parents, they made me mad, all they would do is yell and his mom was seeing someone else. They didn't find it weird that their son was spending time at his teacher house. I also hear about teachers having sex with kids and it makes me cringe, I don't understand why they do that. Never Want too. I was annoyed when Josh kept boosting about his batting average and other baseball numbers. Disappointed he lost his friendship with Zik and how it just ended. I was more interested to read the past about Josh and Eve and how everyone found out their secret. When he last saw Eve, I'm glad that nothing happened. I was scared because he wanted her to touch him. I'm glad he found closure and found love for Rachel. I didn't really like Rachel in the beggining, but I she lost a friend and someone she liked. In the end I liked her because she was trying to encourage Josh. I was annoyed when Josh kept boosting about his batting average and other baseball numbers. I'm also glad he choose to follow his dream.
"In order to hit a home run...someone else has to pitch the ball."
I've really enjoyed Lyga's Jasper Dent series and we owned a copy of Boy Toy at the library. The topic was one I'd never seen approached in a young adult novel (I'm sure there are other books that tackle this subject, but this is the first that I've seen) and although I was certain it was going to horrify me, I wanted to see his approach.
The goods: Josh's thinly concealed contempt for the world, his temper that seemed to be boiling just below the surface, the honest conversations Josh ends up having with his friends, Josh's realization on love.
The not-so-good: I'm not convinced that Lyga can write females. I've read three books by him now, and the teenage girlfriends seem the same. Sassy, independent girls, who are super strong enough to care for their wounded boyfriend. I found the adults in this completely not-believable, including an over the top villainous baseball coach, and Josh's parents who don't seem to be there at all.
I don't think I'd read this again, because the descriptions of sexual acts against a minor made me feel entirely uncomfortable--of course, they should, that's the whole point. It's both a shame and sort of poetic that Josh's healing doesn't come with the help of an adult, but from himself.
I've really enjoyed Lyga's Jasper Dent series and we owned a copy of Boy Toy at the library. The topic was one I'd never seen approached in a young adult novel (I'm sure there are other books that tackle this subject, but this is the first that I've seen) and although I was certain it was going to horrify me, I wanted to see his approach.
The goods: Josh's thinly concealed contempt for the world, his temper that seemed to be boiling just below the surface, the honest conversations Josh ends up having with his friends, Josh's realization on love.
The not-so-good: I'm not convinced that Lyga can write females. I've read three books by him now, and the teenage girlfriends seem the same. Sassy, independent girls, who are super strong enough to care for their wounded boyfriend. I found the adults in this completely not-believable, including an over the top villainous baseball coach, and Josh's parents who don't seem to be there at all.
I don't think I'd read this again, because the descriptions of sexual acts against a minor made me feel entirely uncomfortable--of course, they should, that's the whole point. It's both a shame and sort of poetic that Josh's healing doesn't come with the help of an adult, but from himself.
I thought this book was about being a womanizer. I clearly need to pay more attention to book descriptions. But nevertheless, I still enjoyed the story.
This made my skin crawl. It was really well done and I think it is a great portrayal of the seduction and sexual abuse of a young boy. It was just really hard to read.
i read this because of the unhinged man at the parent teacher’s conference. the book did not disappoint.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes