OK, I am going to drop all pretense of propriety here because THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING UP by Alan Sitomer (Putnam 2011) is about erections, boners, you know. Seriously, the story focuses on a 13 year old named Bobby who ends up having to see a therapist because of an unfortune incident in math class. Warning: do not drink liquids when reading this scene (or much of the book for that matter) as it will be cause for spewing said liquid painfully through nose and mouth, I suspect. Bobby ends up facing expulsion because of his "behavior" and opts for therapy sessions with one of the most whacked out therapists ever to enter the profession. However, Bobby manages to survive, even maybe to find a girl who is not repulsed by his, ahem, history in class. Sitomer has written a frank and funny look at what it is like to be a normal boy. Along the way he adds some eccentric characters (Gramps in particular) and unusual situations to add to the merriment. while I am far removed from being a 13 year old boy, it does not take super Spidey sense to know this book will be wildly popular with its target audience. <542>
I love the title! Having a baby boy, I know that I will be faced with these type of issues as he grows older. I'm looking forward to reading this book to better understand the mind of a boy and his natural reactions!
ReplyDeleteNallely LS5385.07
This book looks hysterical and very close to home.....my boys are 12 and 16. Any book that evokes spewing of liquids from the nose and mouth is worth taking a look at!
ReplyDeleteYou have defintiely intrigued me with your commentary, and I will try to stay away from liquids. I think I would like to see/hear how my 20 yr old son will react to it as well. Writing the information down as we "speak".
ReplyDeleteI am going to put this book on my reading list. This is something that I know does happen.
ReplyDeleteI read this review to my own 13 year old boy, who immediately became embarrassed and gave me the look to tell me to shut up. I suspect, though, that if this book happened to end up on the coffee table, it would disappear...
ReplyDeleteYes, I am definitely intrigued by your commentary as well. I have two sons also, 10 and 8. I don't know that I'd read it to them when they're a little older, but I'd be curious to know what they think. I'm gonna put this on my "Must Read" list of books.
ReplyDeleteInteresting book. My son is only five right now, but I'm sure this will be a topic to cover in the future. I'm intrigued to read sooner just to get prepared. I'm sure that reading this book will prepare me for the questions and observations to come. ;)
ReplyDeleteNeed to write this one down, always looking for books that boys/guys can relate to.
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ReplyDeleteThis looks like a good book to have if you have teenage boys. I've never read a book like this. How interesting to see things through the eyes of a 13 year old. It sounds like an interesting book to read.
This sounds like a very fun and very entertaining read that I would probably one day like to share with my son if I ever had one. It sounds like a good read for boys because they will definitely be able to relate.
ReplyDeleteI have twin boys that are 11 years old right now and this seems like a book they will be reading in the near future.
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