Girl v. Boy

Girl v. Boy
by Yvonne Collins & Sandy Rideout
YA fiction. 311 pp.
Hyperion. 2008.

flap copy:

Fifteen-year-old Luisa Perez isn't looking to win any awards for school spirit. In fact, she and her friends make it a point to avoid all activities considered "extracurricular." So when her English teacher volunteers her to be an anonymous columnist for the school paper, Luisa's first impulse is to run. But, unlike her high-school dropout sister, Luisa does want to go to college—it may be her only ticket out of a life spent working at the cowboy-themed diner where she waitresses part time—and it would be nice to have something to put on her applications.

Her first assignment is to cover her high school's latest fund-raiser, which pits the girls against the boys. Luisa will cover the events from the female point of view, while another anonymous writer provides the male perspective—or, at least, that's how it begins. The two columnists soon find themselves engaged in an epic battle of the sexes—a battle that Luisa is determined to win, even if it mens risking the best relationship she's ever had.

So, let's just get it out on the table. We all know by page five (if not when we pick up the book) that Luisa is going to end up dating the boy writing the male perspective. Fortunately, Luisa and her friends know and acknowledge this as well, though she does her best to ensure she doesn't date Scoop. That said, the one thing I must completely commend the authors for are the red herrings and other diversions to make us believe that maybe Luisa isn't actually dating Scoop. There is one very good diversion thrown in there, and I was impressed by it.

Even so, the writing was a bit on the meh side. And I don't think the vitriol that passes between Luisa and Scoop does anything to bridge the gender chasm. I also felt that most of the characters lacked a sense of being and self.

Regardless, I'm sure that when all is said and done, I will still have enjoyed this book far more than I will the travesty released last weekend.