Swim the Fly (by Don Calame)
common sense media says
Stereotypical boys, objectified girls, no redeeming message.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the focus of this coming-of-age novel is the main characters' goal to see a naked woman in real life, without the woman's knowledge. The boys lie to parents, girls, and a swim coach. They tease each other about masturbation and refer to using internet porn and reading Playboy. They attend a party where teens are drinking, and they spy on and take pictures of a couple who are planning to have sex at the party. There are no real consequences for their behavior and, in fact, they are rewarded in some ways. By the time Matt decides not to lie anymore, the book is almost over and he has a girlfriend anyway. Matt's dad left his mom for a younger woman, but this is only mentioned in passing and not really explored as far as how this might affect the family.
Positive role models:
The main characters see girls as nothing more than bodies to ogle. They lie and cheat without major consequences, and even Matt's grandfather is deceitful when it comes to women.
Violence:
Matt is chased by a bigger boy and thrown into a pool. He hits his head and is knocked unconscious. Coop's dad tells a story from his teen years in which he breaks an old man's nose with a stick of salami.
Sex:
Matt and his brother and friends tease each other about masturbating, there are multiple uses of varied slang for genitalia, and the use of pornography is mentioned a couple of times. The boys spy on a nude beach; two of the boys try to peek over a dressing room door where girls are trying on bathing suits. At a party, the boys hear a girl ask her friend for a condom because she's going to meet a random boy in the bedroom, so the boys hide in the bedroom's closet in order to watch. They take pictures of the couple undressing each other and post them on Facebook without their knowledge.
Language:
Teens use language including "f--k," "goddamn," "ass," and "s--t," and many slang terms like "pants hamster" and "tenting your Speedo."
Consumerism:
Some brands like Playboy, iPod, Tootsie Pop, Facebook, Speedo, Marlboro, O'Doul's, and Mountain Dew are mentioned. Kelly likes to shop and calls Valerie "boring" because she's saving her money for college.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
The boys attend a teen party where everyone has to bring alcohol in order to get in. The main characters bring non-alcoholic beer, but other teens bring alcohol and one secondary character says she might be drunk. Matt's mother used to smoke Marlboros, but now smokes organic cigarettes.
More on Swim the Fly
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Most useful reviews by all members
Beliefs-Wonder
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
To each their own
If a boy was watching me undress I'd pop um streight in there 'wanna be' kisser. They ain't gonna kiss nothin after I'd be threw with um. Anyways, I think they should have at least learned a lesson about this being a terribly good or bad thing! The title doesn't make that sense to me, but I'm probably not getting something. I guess someone had to write a story like this sooner or later. . boys will be boys, no longer an accurate saying. Unless there like 5.
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Involved ...
parent of 14 year old
parent of 14 year old
Terrible role model book for adolescent boys.
I am a father of a 13-year-old boy. His teacher recommended this book. My son actually asked me to read the jacket to see what I thought. When I read that the book was about a bunch of teenage guys wanting to see a naked girl, I was more than a little surprised. I read the book and thought it was very inappropriate for a middle school student to read for an assignment. I feel also that it was inappropriate for my son's teacher to suggest such trash.
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maureen102
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
I liked the way it was written but since Im a girl of course I didn't the story plot but it could have been worse
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VickyLOVEbooks
kid, 14 years old
kid, 14 years old
babetlx
I think this book is way too much sex talk,and I dont think its appropriate for kids under age 13. I really havent let my kids read it yet,and they are 14 and 16. SEX IS NOT GOOD.
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