Boy Toy
By Barry Lyga
(Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Hardcover, 9780618723935, 416pp.)
Publication Date: September 2007
Other Editions of This Title: Paperback (January 2009)
Categories: School & Education, Social Issues - General, Sports & Recreation - Baseball
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Josh Mendel has a secret. Unfortunately, everyone knows what it is.
Five years ago, Josh’s life changed. Drastically. And everyone in his school, his town—seems like the world—thinks they understand. But they don’t—they can’t. And now, about to graduate from high school, Josh is still trying to sort through the pieces. First there’s Rachel, the girl he thought he’d lost years ago. She’s back, and she’s determined to be part of his life, whether he wants her there or not.Then there are college decisions to make, and the toughest baseball game of his life coming up, and a coach who won’t stop pushing Josh all the way to the brink. And then there’s Eve. Her return brings with it all the memories of Josh’s past. It’s time for Josh to face the truth about what happened.
If only he knew what the truth was . . .
Barry Lyga is the author of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl and Boy Toy, both ALA Best Books for Young Adults. Hero-Type is his third book set in South Brook High School. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
[S]uccessful...character development...Lyga's cast feels very real, and he knows how to play them against each other.
Booklist, ALA
"Lyga creates a tightly paced narrative...Authentic and fresh...Lyga's dynamic writing style creates an emotionally wrenching and haunting tale." Kirkus Starred 9/1/07 Kirkus Reviews, Starred
"Lyga again skillfully captures the turbulent world of high school...expertly woven humor...a powerful message."--VOYA, teen reviewer, October 2007 VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
"Heavy stuff, but Lyga...pulls it off brilliantly...Sure to be a controversial and influential read."--KLIATT, September 2007 KLIATT
"Lyga's skillful writing subtly reveals...in a way that older teens will find fascinating, distressing, and worthy of their attention." SLJ Starred 10/2007 School Library Journal, Starred
"[R]eaders drawn by the provocative subject matter may likely find themselves thinking more seriously about the truth behind the ribald humor." The Bulletin October 2007 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Lyga gives a moving account of innocence lost."--Newsday 11/04/07 Newsday
"[A] astounding portrayal of what it is like to be the young male victim." Chicago Tribune 11/24/07 The Chicago Tribune
"[R]eaders will be fully engaged." LMC January 2008 Library Media Connection
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