Girl v. Boy

Fifteen year old Luisa Perez is not going to win any awards for school spirit. In fact, she and her friends make it a point to avoid all activities considered "extracurricular." So when her English teacher volunteers her to be an anonymous columnist for the school paper, Luisa's first impulse is to run. But, unlike her high-school dropout sister, Luisa does want to go to college--it may be her only ticket out of a life spent working at the cowboy-themed diner where she waitresses part time--and it would be nice to have something to put on her applications. Her first assignment is to cover her high school's latest fund-raiser, which pits the girls against the boys. Luisa will cover the events from the female point of view, while another anonymous writer provides the male perspective--or, at least, that's how it begins. The two columnists soon find themselves engaged in an epic battle of the sexes--a battle that Luisa is determined to win, even if it means risking the best relationship she's ever had. Girl v. Boy is a wonderful fast read. This was a great battle of the sexes book. The Newshound and Scoop columns added insights into a guy mind and a girl's as well. The book was well-written. The romance in the book gradually grew, it wasn't just an out-of-the blue I'm in love kind of thing, but it was like a really romance which made it seem real. The book was humorous especially when you read the columns and there were some other parts that were funny as well. Luisa was a great character, she was well-developed, she wanted to go to college, no matter what. Luisa was able to set herself apart from the 10 other Luisa Perez in her school and find a great guy. -Carol www.bookluver-carol.blogspot.com

I can really only think of one thing to say after reading this book... AH! Yeah, i was THAT good! Haha, now i normally start off my reviews by talking about the plot of the story. And the plot normally is about some lovey-dovey, non-realistic tale of two teens seeing each other for the first time and simultaneously falling in love. But not this time my friends, no siree bob. This time, this is how the story is.... Girl v.s. Boy tells the loving and honorable story of two young teen spirits that basically HATE EACH OTHER! That's right! You see, a High School, Colonel Dunsfield High, is participating in a Literacy Challenge that involves about 120 other school from around the Chicago area. Competing for a month of vacation for having the best team spirit and raising the most money out of all the schools participating. Inside this school walks two anonymous columnists that refer to them-selves as the Newshound and Scoop. It all started when the literacy teacher, Mr. Sparling, asked Luisa Perez to be a secret columnist for the school's paper. Luisa is a great writer, she is able to go to the Literacy Challenges without being noticed... and it's all because of one thing. She's so PLAIN! She's not the most popular girl at school, that's for sure. And since her sister's horrible reputation for dropping out of high school early and getting pregnant just like her mother lurks in her past, Luisa is proud to accept the oppurtunity to be the smart, successful one in her family. The book takes you through Luisa's journey as she takes off in the battle of the sexes as the other male columnist writes about the Literacy Challenges from a male's perspective. You feel Lu's maturity after she works so long to raise money for her lacking family, but you also feel embaressed by her when she jumps to conclusions. She can be a character you can love or hate, and the boys she dates through-out the book will have you picking favorites. Even though this book isn't another ordinary teen fiction novel, Lu still ends up with the one true guy that is right for her. =] Overall it was a great story about great people who you will end up smiling about and looking up to. It teaches you some lessons in a totally non-chessy way (if it was a life lesson's book it wouldn't have recieved five stars in my review... trust me!) and it lets you have a look into both a girl and boy's mind for once. So take a break from whatever you're reading and pick this one up! What's the worst that will happen? You stop reading since you don't like the book (Yeah right!). I didn't rate it five stars for nothing people! Hope you enjoyed my review! :) P.S. (check out my other reviews!)

How do you stand out when there are nine other girls in your sophomore class that share the same name as you do ¨C Luisa Perez? You don¡¯t. At least that¡¯s what Lu Perez has told herself. However, after the first assembly of the school year at Colonel Dumpfield (excuse me, DUNFIELD) High School in Chicago, things will change for Lu. Principal Buzzkill (excuse me again, Alvarez) announces that the Mayor of Chicago is holding a Literacy Challenge. The prize ¡ú whichever school raises the most money for the cause will have a month off for winter break. Principal Alvarez decides that it will be a girl versus boy battle at Dunfield, and the team that shows the most initiative will receive three bonus days off over the spring holiday. The battle lines have been drawn, and the school quickly goes to war trying to come up with the best fundraisers. But for Lu, the challenge is a bit different. Her English teacher, Mr. Sparling, has a proposition for her. The school newspaper wants to run anonymous articles chronicling the efforts of both sides. There will be an anonymous writer for the girls¡¯ team, and another one for the males. What starts out as harmless banter between the two journalists dissing the opposing team¡¯s attempts at fundraising soon turns to a real battle of the sexes. Lu, still in the background, has noticed the popular girls taking up the causes written about in her anonymous Newshound articles. To make matters even more complicated, Lu is convinced that every boy that shows an interest in her is the guys' anonymous author. Join Lu and the cast of characters that join forces to try and help Colonel Dunfield High win the precious winter break vacation. Lu has many romantic entanglements as well as drama at home to keep the reader interested until the surprise events at the Literacy Gala announcing the city¡¯s winner of the Literacy Challenge. Ms. Collins & Ms. Rideout write a fun, youthful battle of the sexes. The articles between Newshound and Scoop keep the story entertaining and gives the reader an inside glimpse of what boys and girls are really thinking. The reader gets to see Lu grow in confidence and come out of the anonymity of being one of ten girls named Luisa Perez in her class. Reviewed by: Jaglvr