cover image Boyology: A Teen Girl's Crash Course in All Things Boy

Boyology: A Teen Girl's Crash Course in All Things Boy

Sarah O'Leary Burningham, , illus. by Keri Smith. . Chronicle, $12.99 (167pp) ISBN 978-0-8118-6436-7

This humorous guide provides insight into the elusive universe of boys, using questions, answers and quotations from real teens. Nebulous topics like “hooking up” (“by definition, hook-ups don't lead to boyfriends”) and being “just friends” (in one image, a beaming girl is clearly thinking “skateboarding partner” while the boy beside her has a heart in his thought bubble) are addressed with oodles of pop-culture literacy. The plethora of “how to” sections (an illustrated guide to kissing), lists (including mood-setting playlists featuring Avril Lavigne and Sleater-Kinney) and “Extra Credit” quizzes provide an entertaining tour of love and dating etiquette for beginners. More seasoned daters may find the advice formulaic. Ages 13–up. (May)