 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Anatomy of a Boyfriend
- By Daria Snadowsky
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Graphic first love -- & sex -- story better for older teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
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 :)))))))))
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AGE
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..
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
good for young adults,but bad for our little ones
this book is ok....good for tweens and young adults
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Kid, 12 years old
July 1, 2009
AGE
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.
Was this review useful?
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AGE
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.
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| Author: | Daria Snadowsky |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | February 19, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 272 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
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