Boy Proof

Grade 8 Up–Victoria, 16, considers herself boy proof–too smart and tough to be appealing to guys. She has renamed herself Egg after her favorite character in a new science-fiction blockbuster, and even dresses like her idol, wearing an all-white cloak. A straight-A student, she dominates classroom discussions and considers no one her friend. The teen spends Tuesdays after school happily sculpting movie monsters with her work-obsessed father, a special-effects guru, and devotes the rest of her free time to squabbling with her actor mother and debating with and disdaining the Science Fiction and Fantasy Club. When Max Carter arrives at Melrose Prep, he is the first person to see past her aggressive exterior. Chaos follows this disruption; soon her grades are falling, she's called to meetings with the dean of students, and she starts to think about Max in exciting and disturbing ways. Some of the dialogue is a bit unbelievable. Victoria, in particular, strains credibility–she alternates between acting tough and being immature. It's hard to think of her as supersharp because of some of the silly things she says. The pacing is uneven as well; Max and Victoria's relationship blossoms with little development. Victoria's growth is the book's real strength. This is a busy first novel whose secondary characters often outshine the protagonist. Still, lonely, overachieving girls may find themselves cheering for Victoria.–Sarah Couri, New York Public Library

"this Novel's Funny First-person Narrative Will Grab Teens (and Not Just Sci-fi Fans) With Its Romance And The Screwball Special Effects." — Booklist

an American Bookseller "pick Of The Lists" Selection

a New York Public Library Book For The Teen Age

a Publishers Weekly "flying Start" Selection

"egg's Journey To Shed Her Trappings And To Confidently Inhabit Her Own Character Is One Readers Won't Want To Miss." — Publishers Weekly (starred Review)

"castellucci's Brooding, Smart, Self-confident Narrator Gives A . . . Warts-and-all Glimpse Into Hollywood." — The Horn Book

"a Fresh Voice That Will Be Immediately Appealing To Readers."
— Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books

publishers Weekly

a Smart And Happily Boy Proof Teen Changes Her Outlook After Meeting New Classmate Max Carter. Pw Wrote In A Starred Review, The Heroine's Journey To Shed Her Trappings And To Confidently Inhabit Her Own Character Is One Readers Won't Want To Miss. Ages 14-up. (sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

A Time Magazine 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time Selection. "This novel's funny first-person narrative will grab teens (and not just sci-fi fans) with its romance and the screwball special effects." #8212;Booklist. Meet Egg. Her real name is Victoria Jurgen, but she's renamed herself after the kick-ass heroine of her favorite sci-fi movie, TERMINAL EARTH. Like her namesake, Egg dresses all in white, colors her eyebrows, and shaves her head. She always knows the right answers, she's always in control, and she's far too busy#8212;taking photos for the school paper, meeting with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Club, and hanging out at the "creature shop" with her dad, the special-effects makeup wizard#8212;to be bothered with friends, much less members of the opposite sex. As far as Egg is concerned, she's boy proof, and she likes it that way. But then Egg meets a boy named Max, a boy who's smart and funny and creative and cool . . . and happens to like Egg. Could this be the end of the world#8212;at least as Egg knows it? A Time Magazine 100 Best Young Adult Books Of All Time Selection This Novel's Funny First-person Narrative Will Grab Teens (and Not Just Sci-fi Fans) With Its Romance And The Screwball Special Effects.– Booklist Meet Egg. Her Real Name Is Victoria Jurgen, But She's Renamed Herself After The Kick-ass Heroine Of Her Favorite Sci-fi Movie, Terminal Earth. Like Her Namesake, Egg Dresses All In White, Colors Her Eyebrows, And Shaves Her Head. She Always Knows The Right Answers, She's Always In Control, And She's Far Too Busy — Taking Photos For The School Paper, Meeting With The Science Fiction And Fantasy Club, And Hanging Out At The Creature Shop With Her Dad, The Special-effects Makeup Wizard — To Be Bothered With Friends, Much Less Members Of The Opposite Sex. As Far As Egg Is Concerned, She's Boy Proof, And She Likes It That Way. But Then Egg Meets A Boy Named Max, A Boy Who's Smart And Funny And Creative And Cool . . . And Happens To Like Egg. Could This Be The End Of The World — At Least As Egg Knows It? What happens when an antisocial cinephile meets up with the worldly new guy at school a quick-witted artist who's savvy enough to see through her sci-fi disguise? Meet Egg. Her real name is Victoria Jurgen, but she's renamed herself after the kick-ass heroine of her favorite sci-fi movie, Terminal Earth. Like her namesake, Egg dresses all in white, colors her eyebrows, and shaves her head. She always knows the right answers, she's always in control, and she's far too busy taking photos for the school paper, meeting with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Club, and hanging out at the creature shop with her dad, the special-effects makeup wizard to be bothered with friends, much less members of the opposite sex. As far as Egg is concerned, she's boy proof, and she likes it that way. But then Egg meets a boy named Max, a boy who's smart and funny and creative and cool...and happens to like Egg. Could this be the end of the world at least as Egg knows it? Feeling alienated from everyone around her, Los Angeles high school senior and cinephile Victoria Jurgen hides behind the identity of a favorite movie character until an interesting new boy arrives at school and helps her realize that there is more to life than just the movies. Feeling alienated from everyone around her, Los Angeles high school senior and cinephile Victoria Denton hides behind the identity of a favorite movie character until an interesting new boy arrives at school and helps her realize that there is more to life than just the movies What Happens When An Aloof And Antisocial Cinephile Meets A New Boy Savvy Enough To See Through Her Cool, Impenetrable Disguise? Castellucci's Smart And Vulnerable Heroine Will Please Teen Readers Struggling With Identity, Choices, And Relationships. Young Adult.