All I've ever wanted is for Juli Baker to leave me alone, for her to back off- you know, just give me some space....... She didn't just barge into my life, she barged and shoved and wedged her way into my life.
This perfectly describes their situation until eighth grade, where everything changes. Up until then, Juli Baker loved Bryce (well, as much as a kid can romantically love some other kid), and Bryce vehemently disliked Juli. She was annoying, loved climbing a huge sycamore tree, and kept chickens for fun (not only that but she dived into the chicken coop filled with chicken poop to snuggle with her chicks). Then Bryce sees something in Juli, something he's never seen in anyone else before. I won't go into details on how this came up, but I think it worked out pretty perfectly. But what totally sucks, the moment Bryce starts liking Juli, the roles get flipped, Bryce loved Juli, and Juli vehemently disliked Bryce.
I haven't described the book in detail, because there's a lot to give away. It's not like I can say "This happened which caused this to happen, which brings about the ending" and not give the ending away. So, I'll just say that this book describes junior high in such a way that makes me wish I wasn't homeschooled (but then I turn on the TV and thank my lucky stars I don't go to normal school). It's great and gives me hope, people can change, and there are other complete weirdoes out there.
I have three other comments to make on this book, mainly regarding what other people say about it. First, some people say that Juli doesn't sound like a real eighth grader, I deny that, I'm in seventh grade and Juli and I have the same tone of voice and besides the tree climbing, chicken keeping, and boy loving, we think A LOT alike too. Also, regarding the Basket Boy thing (again I won't give too much details, but Basket Boys are a tradition started by Bryce and Juli's school, that elects twenty middle school boys that girls bid on, they have lunch with the Basket Boy and can skip the second half of school), I forgot where, but I have seen something similar to the Basket Boy tradition. And finally, the ending, I thought that sucked, but it was about the only thing that sucked, it ended basically "Maybe I'll go talk to him, 'cause we never really talked". BAM. END. So, I hope there's a sequel, and if there isn't Van Draanen's got some 'splaining to do.
I give the book 4 out of 5 smily faces ☺☺☺☺ (one taken off for the ending).
Taryn.
