Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones

Ann Head's Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones is a poignant read about a time gone by. July and Bo Jo are typical teenagers in the 60's when one night together changes their life plans. The story tells how July, Bo Jo and their families deal with an unplanned pregnancy. July tells her story "for whatever it may be worth to some young couple on the brink of the same". July and Bo Jo don't really know each other that well, but they choose to do the "right thing". I won't spoil it by giving too many details. I first read this book in junior high and that was long ago enough for me, that the word "pregnant" was often whispered in polite company when you were talking about an unmarried woman. Ann Head's book really took me back. As a young teenager reading it the first time, I remember being a little lost because Head wrote so much between the lines. July becomes pregnant in the beginning of the story, but words such as "pregnant", "baby", and "make love" are not memtioned until you are well into the story. I don't think the word sex is ever used. When I began rereading the book, my first thought was "how dated!" But now I realize that Head accurately captured the culture and attitudes of the middle to upper middle class, small southern town, country club society just like I grew up in. Like many stories it was contemporary when it was written, now it's a classic which reflects a time gone by. Head's characters are clean and crisp. Even though Head uses the voice of July to tell the story as a warning to other young couples, through the dialogue she manages to convey the feelings of disappointment and turmoil that all of the characters experience, including July's siblings. Even though today our attitude about teenage pregnancy appears much more relaxed, the feelings that Head writes about are still relevant. I enjoyed this book as a young teenager. I think I enjoyed it even more now that I have teenagers. Don't hesitate to let your daughter read it. If you do, I suggest you read it as well, so you can talk about how good the book is (and maybe some other things). Head could have written a preachy story, instead she sticks to the facts and feelings the characters are experiencing and even throws in a twist or two. Do they live happily ever after? Well, I suggest you read the book to find out.

I read this book more than 30 years ago, and I loved it. When I found it was back in print, I bought it, read it again, and still loved it. My parents went out of their way to explain the lessons taught in this book, and I listened. Unfortunately, a lot of kids don't listen, so perhaps a book like this will help. Teen pregnancy is a serious topic, even though it is far more prevalent now than it was in the 1960s, and it is still often dangerous for both the mother and (as we see here) the baby. Kudos to Ms. Head for writing a book on a touchy subject with compassion and empathy.

Wow, I cannot believe that it has been thirty two years since I read this book. At first when I read it I thought wow, this is so cool. What fun it might be to be a mommy at such a young age. The more I read the book though the less fun it seemed like, especially when a girlfriend of mine got pregnant at 16 and had to deal with crying, diapers, midnight feedings yuk..... I am so glad I waited. Well thrity years, five daughters and two grand daughters later I am still glad I waited and I think this book had a little something to do with it, as it was not romanticized (did I spell that right? LOL)in this book. I just ordered it again in paperback as the one I had has fallen apart and my two younger daughters are just the right age to read this book.It must be good, it is still around.

I read this book about 15 or 20 years ago and I still remember it as though if were yesterday. It was a great story and is responsible for my great love of reading. I have searched for years to find a book as captivating as Mr and Mrs Bo Jo Jones was for me back then but have yet to find one. I plan on giving it to my daughter when she is a teen.

I am a 39 year old woman. I read this wonderful book while I was sunbathing at the tender age of 15. It left such an impression on me that 25 years later, I can still close my eyes and remember lying there reading that book. It is truely a wonderful book for all teenagers to read. I wish they would make it mandatory for all young teenagers to read in school. This book is such a lesson in life and is so very realistic. I am purchasing this book again for my soon to be sixteen year old daughter. Please any young adult, male or female, take the time to read this book!! My hat's off to the author.