Boy Proof

by Cecil Castellucci Narrated by Carine Montbertrand

Overview

Kirkus Reviews calls Boy Proof "an unusual, successful, appealing effort from first-time novelist Cecil Castellucci." Victoria Jurgen, who goes by the name "Egg" after her favorite sci-fi heroine, doesn't have many friends, and definitely doesn't turn the heads of any boys. But she likes it that way. That is until she meets Max, a new kid who might be the only one to really understand her.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

A smart and happily "boy proof" teen changes her outlook after meeting new classmate Max Carter. PW wrote in a starred review, "The heroine's journey to shed her trappings and to confidently inhabit her own character is one readers won't want to miss." Ages 14-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-Victoria, 16, considers herself boy proof-too smart and tough to be appealing to guys. She has renamed herself Egg after her favorite character in a new science-fiction blockbuster, and even dresses like her idol, wearing an all-white cloak. A straight-A student, she dominates classroom discussions and considers no one her friend. The teen spends Tuesdays after school happily sculpting movie monsters with her work-obsessed father, a special-effects guru, and devotes the rest of her free time to squabbling with her actor mother and debating with and disdaining the Science Fiction and Fantasy Club. When Max Carter arrives at Melrose Prep, he is the first person to see past her aggressive exterior. Chaos follows this disruption; soon her grades are falling, she's called to meetings with the dean of students, and she starts to think about Max in exciting and disturbing ways. Some of the dialogue is a bit unbelievable. Victoria, in particular, strains credibility-she alternates between acting tough and being immature. It's hard to think of her as supersharp because of some of the silly things she says. The pacing is uneven as well; Max and Victoria's relationship blossoms with little development. Victoria's growth is the book's real strength. This is a busy first novel whose secondary characters often outshine the protagonist. Still, lonely, overachieving girls may find themselves cheering for Victoria.-Sarah Couri, New York Public Library Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

This character study of a rebellious Los Angeles teen has enough quirky features taken from sci-fi fantasy to keep reluctant readers interested. Victoria Jurgen devotes herself to science fiction and has retreated from society. She refuses to answer to her name, instead calling herself "Egg," after a character in her favorite sci-fi movie. Her major goals are to become valedictorian of her high school and to be eccentric. Egg reluctantly finds herself attracted to Max, a new boy in her school, but she's so devoted to her own separateness that, although she befriends him, she refuses to respond to his approaches. When Max gets involved with a girl she dislikes, however, Egg becomes jealous. Then her grades slip, and she meets and dislikes her favorite actress, which helps to repel her from her former obsessions and solitude. It's an unusual, successful, appealing effort from first-time novelist Castellucci. (Fiction. YA)

From the Publisher

Egg's stripped-down, laser-like observations are funny, moving, and at times poetic, creating a fresh voice that will be immediately appealing to readers. This is an affirming story about a girl waking up to her true potential.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Castellucci effortlessly paints a picture of Hollywood as a setting that shapes her characters as much as they shape it. Egg's journey to shed her trappings and to confidently inhabit her own character is one readers won't want to miss.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This novel's clipped, funny, first-person, present-tense narrative will grab teens with its romance and the screwball special effects, and with the story of an outsider's struggle both to belong and to be true to herself.
—Booklist

An unusual, successful, appealing effort from first-time novelist Castellucci.
—Kirkus Reviews

With a cover that has teen appeal, this quick, fun read is sure to please the romantic geeks of the world.
—VOYA

It's satisfying to see [Egg] finally reciprocate other people's feelings and concerns for her and realize that being true to herself doesn't mean she has to go it alone.
—The Horn Book

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170787715
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	01/16/2008
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

Boy Proof

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By Cecil Castellucci

Candlewick

Copyright © 2005

Cecil Castellucci

All right reserved.

ISBN: 0763623334

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I slide my eyes over to the girls who know how to stand nonchalantly in underwear, just chatting. The group includes Nelly and Inez. Nelly's leg is up on the bench between the lockers and she is rubbing glitter lotion onto her calves.

How did girls like that become so comfortable with their bodies? How did I miss out on that lesson?

I am uncomfortable in this body.

I cannot wear a cute tank top with confidence.

I listen like a fly on the wall. It doesn't matter to them that I'm there. Because I'm the Invisible Girl.

"Well, I think Max Carter is cute," Nelly says. "There's just something
about him."

"Yeah, but he's always got his nose in that little sketchbook. It's kind of creepy," Inez says while fixing the braids in her hair.

"It's not creepy. It's mysterious. He's totally driven," Nelly says. "He's really smart and cultured. He's so not a boy."

I suck my lips in and mock her to myself.

"Maybe you should ask him out," another girl says.

"Yeah, maybe I should. I love talking to him. He's so deep."

The lockers slam shut, and the voices echo down the hallway to the door to the gym until it's just me and the tick of the large caged clock.

I smart a little. A pinprick. I'm used to envy, but this pain is different.

Max Carter doesn't have deep conversations only with me.

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BOY PROOF by Cecil Castellucci. Copyright (c) 2005by Cecil Castellucci. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

Continues...

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Excerpted from Boy Proof
by Cecil Castellucci
Copyright © 2005 by Cecil Castellucci.
Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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