Why Me?

by Ellen Conford

Talk about girl trouble!
Since G.G. Graffman bought a copy of HOW TO MAKE MEN CRAZY, she has been making Hobie's life miserable. G.G. is definitely not the girl of Hobie's dreams. Never mind that she's got Little Orphan Annie hair and the social skills of a shrimp—her idea of fun is studying the creatures in a bowl of seawater. Besides, Darlene DeVries, the class knockout, already has his heart—and his hormones—in an uproar.
Too bad Darlene doesn't know it. But when one of Hobie's love poems falls into Darlene's hands, suddenly she's trading him kisses for verses. Now if G.G. would just find other fish to fry, Hobie could concentrate on going really crazy...over Darlene.

Genres: Young Adult, Humor, Childrens, Teen

137 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1987

About the author

Ellen Conford was an author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the Annabel the Actress and Jenny Archer series. Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, Parents' Choice Award, and more.

Reviews

[Ami E. Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was thirteen or so I found this book to be very funny. It made me giggle out loud. Especially the scenes with the main character and his love poems. This book is sure to please any pre-teen girl who likes comedy and a little romance. Told from the male pov so it's a little different than most romantic comedies for young people. Highly enjoyable no matter what.

[Brian]

In the midst of a rewrite I remembered this book, because I placed this on the shelf of one of my characters of 1997, an eight year old girl. I gave a girl a poem from this book, about emerald eyes, but her eyes gleamed blue, and she had read the book too, so...salty...busted, but what else can a ten year old in the eighties do?

[Bookosaurus (A book a day keeps reality away) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a charming little book from the eighties. This was like a brain candy.

It was silly, of course, but had a kind of purity that I endeared this author to me. I didn't grow up reading books. It's a hobby, a passion that I developed later in life, so this author, who I'm told is one of the most beloved authors from the eighties, is now on my reading list. I've heard a great deal about her, and am planning to check out more of her books.

Having read so many contemporary YA books, most of which have a depressing and cynical view of the world, I'd say this one took me by surprise. I loved how the books written for teens back in the time had charm and innocence- a kind of purity. Sometimes, I like to break away from the edgy, dark characters, and delve into the world of silliness. And now I know where to look when I need a dose of charming silliness.

[Tracy Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the early 90’s and periodically it pops up in my mind and I’ve been searching for it. However “She’s driving me crazy” had been the title I had been looking for and I could never find it. I just found it on someone’s list of 80’s/90’s books and I saw the cover and it hit me like a brick!!!! That was the cover that’s been in my head for so long. I wonder how many times I was thisclose to finding it but ignored the title. I’m going to go search for a copy now so I can relive this book. I remember loving it and I read it so many times.

[Giselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how poetic he can get for someone he thinks he loves but then starts writing about G.G.

[Partridge Public]

Canford, Ellen