Busted: Confessions of an Accidental Player

by Antony John

Overview

I feel like I'm about to pass out, but that won't do much for my new reputation as a non-dork, so I bury my head in the Book instead. There's not much there, really-just the senior portrait of every girl in my class, and below each photo, space for me to record her measurements-once I get her measurements, that is. From his flute-playing prowess to his nerdy reputation, Kevin Mopsely epitomizes uncool. When popular jock Brandon Trent appoints Kevin to compile the Book of Busts-a record of the bust, waist, and hip measurements of every senior girl-Kevin fears he's out of his league. The Book, however, is the key to his popularity, so Kevin accepts the challenge-uncovering much more than he bargained for in the process. Busted is a hilarious and provocative debut that tackles the intricate issues of first love, testosterone-laden peer pressure, feminism, and "GRRL power" with a fresh and unique voice that will appeal to both male and female teenage readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738722023
Publisher:	North Star Editions
Publication date:	09/08/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Antony John (Seattle) was born in England and raised on a balanced diet of fish and chips, obscure British comedies, and ABBA's greatest hits. In a pique of teenage rebellion, he decided to pursue a career in classical music, culminating in a BA from Oxford University and a Ph.D. from Duke University.

Editorial Reviews

Flute-playing band loser Kevin unexpectedly ups his mojo but loses respect when superjock Brandon Trent signs him on to compile The Book of Busts, a secret notebook that lists the body measurements of all the girls who go to the school. Soon, all the young women around him are either racing to date him or hate him, and Kevin finds he has to choose between doing the right thing-chucking the book, obviously-or maintaining his newfound popularity. Sexual innuendos run amuck in the first few pages of this well-meaning but tepid comedic battle of the sexes. John's caricatures of Brandon's friends are hilariously dead on, especially when the dialogue between them is nothing more than "Dude. Like. Whoa." It's these smaller elements and the supporting cast that keep the plot from getting too heavy, and readers won't latch onto the feminism-fueled plot so much as Kevin himself as he squirms between getting all the girls he dreams about and being honest with the one girl he actually wants. (Fiction. YA)

Kirkus Reviews