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Anatomy of a Boyfriend (by Daria Snadowsky)

common sense media says

Graphic first love -- & sex -- story better for older teens.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is filled with graphic descriptions of first intimate experiences and has been compared to Judy Blume's Forever. As a senior in high school, the main female character is obsessed with her first real boyfriend and describes in vivid detail their romantic encounters, from kissing and touching to oral sex and losing her virginity. She is also an overachieving student, has applied to colleges with pre-med ambitions, and has strong, healthy relationships with her parents and best girlfriend. In the context of social gatherings, there is some underage drinking and profanity in dialogue for effect. The protagonist is a likeable character, but parents need to be comfortable with the frank sex-related content, which could double as a how-to manual.

Educational value: Provides an opportunity for parents to share their own opinions and expectations about teen dating and sex. See our Families Can Talk about section for some discussion ideas.
Positive messages: This is a book about first love and sexual experiences.
Positive role models: The main character is smart, articulate, and driven, but her obsession with her boyfriend can border on the extreme. She will do anything to be with her boyfriend, including lying to
her parents, but she also turns to them for advice, comfort, and support.
Readers will appreciate her honest narration and that teens discuss and practice safe sex.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Graphic descriptions of kissing, touching, fondling, oral sex, and intercourse. Discussion of nudity, using birth control, sneaking away to have sex. Teen friend thinks she may be pregnant. Police officer catches boy and girl fooling around in parked car.
Language: Use of words "assholes," "s--t," "hell," and "damn."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Teenagers drink at parties. Adults drink in front of teens.

More on Anatomy of a Boyfriend

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the sexual content of this book. Does it seem overly graphic -- or just realistic? When authors are writing books targeting teens, is any subject matter off limits?
  • Do you think books like this one can shape teen sexual behavior? Who or what do you think has the most influence over your decisions? Does media, including books, play a role?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Dominique, a high-achieving student at an all-girl high school, meets Wes, a track star at the local public high school. Her best friend Amy encourages Dom to pursue him. They slowly develop a relationship, the first physical one for both. Eventually, hot and heavy, they find secret ways to be alone and explore first sexual encounters. Promising always to be together, they attend different colleges in different states and attempt to maintain their close relationship through email, phone calls, and visits back home. But is it possible?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
First love and first times are very dramatic, no doubt, but they're not always on display so graphically, with how-to manual-style details. Written in the first person, the book lets readers get up close and personal with Dominique's thoughts, feelings, apprehensions, and pleasures. Like many teens, she communicates as much through email, text messaging, and cell phones as she does in person. And she's much more candid via email, in fact, especially when she's making a big relationship decision. For readers at this junction between high school and college romance, this book may give them something to ponder, but younger readers may be overwhelmed by the protagonist's obsession with her boyfriend and the explicit details of their relationship.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Daria Snadowsky
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: February 19, 2007
Number of pages: 272
Hardcover price: $16.99

This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

 
best book I've ever read :)
this book is GREAT, i read it when i was 13 and LOVED it. It is informational as well as witty. Dominique is a character that so many teenage girls can relate to. The relationship between Wes and Dominique is one that really can be described as first love; even though it ends in heartache, it shows how teenagers can often mistake love and how to get over it. I'm a big reader and i love reading books like these; I've read Judy Blume's Forever and was not as taken by it as i was with this one. I've read this book front to back about ten times in the last five years and i still laugh and cry at the appropriate parts. Teenage girls should read this book, there are so many important life lessons that you can't get anywhere else. It should be turned into a movie :)))))))))

syanigh
adult
 
what is with the author
i read this book not all i had to stop i think this book is not right for the ages 15 and under and the book should not be sold in public schools and it has no positive meassage to it.. and has very bad content to it that i think should be bad for all ages to read.. but i think that the author has a very bright mind and a good heart for storys but the author should right a book that is age approprite for all ages..

Sexy_Miss
parent of 17 year old
 
good for young adults,but bad for our little ones
this book is ok....good for tweens and young adults

 
good deterrent to premarital sex
I read a review copy of this book several months ago and was very impressed with the quality of the writing. It gives, in almost cringe-worthy detail, a very realistic insight into first love. If anything, this book will deter young adults from engaging in sexual activity too early because it shows all of the devastating emotional, and some physical, consequences of premarital sex. Most books that show young adults having sex sensationalize the subject, and this does just the opposite. Moreover, it's a fast-paced, entertaining story that all teen girls would enjoy. I highly recommend this fabulous book for high schoolers.

shecky
adult
 
Good book
This book could be a sex manual. It's very erotic and I don't think kids under 14 should be reading this. Other than that, this was a great read.


kid, 12 years old
 
Great Book- Give it a break!
I loved this book. It was humorous yet serious, and had a great style of writing. It is however not very appropriate for younger readers as it does revolve around a teen girl's first experiences with a boyfriend, and what stems from said relationship [ie. sex]. That's not to say this book should be avoided- I thoroughly enjoyed Anatomy of a Boyfriend. Let's get real- our media, from the tv, to movies, to the internet is full of less-than-positive messages, especially concerning teens and sex. It's unfortunate, but it's true. Saying this book might act like a "how-to manual" is pretty far fetched- and it's not fair to ban a book or judge an author just because the material or subject matter is more mature. If anything, it's best to get over this fear that teens will lose all innocence from reading this, or books like it. Like it or not, we're growing and learning, and chances are, we know a lot more about this subject that you know, or would like. That's life. And it's rather refreshing to know that there are authors out there who write books that are real. That are about life. That aren't overly cheesy and unrealistic. The message? Just make sure that it's the appropriate age level and you'll be sure to have a great read.


teen, 14 years old
 
Great Book- Give it a break!
I loved this book. It was humorous yet serious, and had a great style of writing. It is however not very appropriate for younger readers as it does revolve around a teen girl's first experiences with a boyfriend, and what stems from said relationship [ie. sex]. That's not to say this book should be avoided- I thoroughly enjoyed Anatomy of a Boyfriend. Let's get real- our media, from the tv, to movies, to the internet is full of less-than-positive messages, especially concerning teens and sex. It's unfortunate, but it's true. Saying this book might act like a "how-to manual" is pretty far fetched- and it's not fair to ban a book or judge an author just because the material or subject matter is more mature. If anything, it's best to get over this fear that teens will lose all innocence from reading this, or books like it. Like it or not, we're growing and learning, and chances are, we know a lot more about this subject that you know, or would like. That's life. And it's rather refreshing to know that there are authors out there who write books that are real. That are about life. That aren't overly cheesy and unrealistic. The message? Just make sure that it's the appropriate age level and you'll be sure to have a great read.


kid, 11 years old
 
Great Book- Give it a break!
I loved this book. It was humorous yet serious, and had a great style of writing. It is however not very appropriate for younger readers as it does revolve around a teen girl's first experiences with a boyfriend, and what stems from said relationship [ie. sex]. That's not to say this book should be avoided- I thoroughly enjoyed Anatomy of a Boyfriend. Let's get real- our media, from the tv, to movies, to the internet is full of less-than-positive messages, especially concerning teens and sex. It's unfortunate, but it's true. Saying this book might act like a "how-to manual" is pretty far fetched- and it's not fair to ban a book or judge an author just because the material or subject matter is more mature. If anything, it's best to get over this fear that teens will lose all innocence from reading this, or books like it. Like it or not, we're growing and learning, and chances are, we know a lot more about this subject that you know, or would like. That's life. And it's rather refreshing to know that there are authors out there who write books that are real. That are about life. That aren't overly cheesy and unrealistic. The message? Just make sure that it's the appropriate age level and you'll be sure to have a great read.

Darkdani17
teen, 17 years old
 
This book was REALLy good. Yes they talk about sex and stuff but it gives you her point of view and it doesn't give a fairy tale ending, but it's a hopeful ending showing that this world isn't perfect.

 
Responsible Teens Only!
I thought personally it was a really good book! My daughters loves it too,but they are also in high school. I would recommended it to teenage girls who have sexual knowledge. Yet, respect them selfs and their bodies enough to know that just because a girl in a FICTIONAL BOOK has sexual relations with a guy she thinks she loves and ends up with another guy at the end of a book.


kid, 12 years old
 


teen, 14 years old
 


kid, 11 years old
 

 
mhmm
i read this book with all of my boyfriends and it may be fiction but our lives somewat followed hers only being in the 8th grade, gettin a boy friend, serious relationships, kissing, sex, not for everyone but if u like storys of true teen life, not all that rated G crap then read this

xoxoChelseaBeth
parent of 4 , 6 , and 17 year old
 
Stop sheltering children.
I think that your children will do fine with this book. If they are 13 or under they may have questions, but you as a parent should be willing to answer them in a way that doesn't make them uncomfortable. I promise that over half of American children ages 12-13 already know about the content in this book (sex, kissing, ect.) If they don't they will soon, so why not put a positive influence in their minds so they'll do the right thing. Sex is natural and normal and they need to know that. Also, if your child can't handle it then you aren't doing a very good job with them, now are you?

BabyBri84
teen, 16 years old
 
Put yourself in your kids place
This Review is from a 14 year olds respective. This book is amazing and its really funny. The reason i put Educational is because in some ways it is. I mean, kids my age and mabye even younger are going to have sex (Sometimes it could be pressure or just curiosity) and this book gives them examples, help, and facts about it. I think all kids my age should read this book. Teens/Kids are always curious, this book will tell them all they need to know. This book is real, just like life.

xko0gsx
adult
 
for college freshies looking to get over the highschool "loverboy"
Being a current college freshman, i was able to relate to this book. I feel as though if you've never been in a relationship, or ever had a "first love" this book probobly isnt for you. Throughout the whole book i laughed, but mostly cried. It reminded me of my life completely. My first boyfriend, my first love, my first "time", my first sexual experiance, transitioning from HS to college, and everything inbetween. It's a good book that you can sit down, and knock out in a couple of hours, because you will be hooked. I wish there were more REAL books out there like this one, that young people, especially girls, can relate to. It was so refreshing to read. I felt as if i was reading a memoire of my senior year of high school, and my freshman year of college. The book is definatly an A+ and have already recommended it to many of my friends. Def don't pass it up if you're looking for a smart, witty, and cute read.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age