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Candy Apple #2
The Boy Next Door
Taryn and Jeff have lived next door to each other their whole lives. It never really seemed to matter that they were a girl and a boy -- they were just friends. But when they hit sixth grade, everything changes . . . whether they want it to or not.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
86 people are currently reading
3551 people want to read
About the author
Laura Dower
123 books128 followersLaura Dower worked in marketing and editorial in kid’s publishing for many years before taking a big leap to the full-time life of an author. Since 2000, she has penned 90+ books–from picture books to young adult fiction and nonfiction. Along the way, she had two sons and a daughter. Laura and her groovy family of five live in Yonkers, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
January 14, 2010
What i've learned from this book the boy next door is that sometimes you think your friend could mabey one day become more than a friend or best friend but not with the two main characters Taryn and Jeff.they are starting sixth grade and their both really nervous.they've been friends since they were born. they were born on the same week and the same month and year.So they hung out over the summer but when Jeff joins the soccer team and Taryn joins the schools Carnival Commity they both go their seperate ways for a while. So one day Taryn and Jeff have a big argument and Jeff slips a note saying he's sorry that Taryn doesn't get which turns to a bigger fight and not calling eachother or nothing. so in midlle of ther book Taryn and her friends go swimming and they say that Taryn and Jeff should go out since they both have a lot in commin and there always togetrher.but in the end they forgive eachother and stay friends.
August 18, 2009
Taryn and Jeff have been next-door neighbors forever. It never mattered that they were a girl and a boy - they were just friends. But when they hit sixth grade - everything changes... whether they want it to or not.
June 9, 2009
This book was really weird the fact that she thought that the boy next door could be her twin was odd. And it was all because they had the same b-day and he was mean and nice. Like I have acted like a sister to one of my friends well most them anyway I just thought it was weird.
July 12, 2013
Taryn and Jeff have been best friends since they were babies. it never mattered they they were boy or girl,until the start of 6th grade. then it seemed all Jeff cared about was soccer and the guys. Find out how Taryn deals with everything in The Boy Next Door, by Laura Dower.
July 31, 2008
this was an amazing book and it was one of my favorite book, its about friendship mostly!
April 17, 2009
This book is so cute i love it i defenitily recomend it!
August 7, 2009
The boy next door by Laura Dower is about a girl taryn and her best friend jeff who are about to enter the 6th grade. Taryn has no feeling for Jeff intill now so will she fall for Jeff.
July 26, 2018
I was shelving at my library's bookstore and saw this and it looked so cute. The title is so charming and attention-grabbing, but the summary is so promising. I LOVE best friends liking each other. It's my all-time favorite. It's also really unique that it's in both of their POVs.
It was deflating to start reading and realize it's in present tense. I can't overstate how badly I hate present tense. And everything nowadays seems to have to be in it.
On a personal note, it's cool that Jeff's last name is Rasmussen, because that's the last name of the entertainer for the PBR.
It went too far having Taryn's head hurt and her check her head for a bump after the prank Jeff pulled. He shouldn't be hurting her!
They've known each other for 11 years. He teases her and pinched and pokes her. But this time he threw a shoe at her, and he calls her stinky and bones, which I found too juvenile and crossing a line. You shouldn't say someone smells, especially a girl. I didn't believe she was stinky, but it makes no sense to call someone stinky when they're not.
She teases him about the 2 long toes on his left foot and that was gross. And she gave him a "three-knuckled noogie." It was coming off as so juvenile. I didn't like that she'd cry when he said a harsh word to her. Their relationship didn't sound healthy and they didn't sound like friends.
They were born the same weekend, weighed the exact same amount of 7 lb 4 oz, and were both 20 inches long. That's...really unrealistic and just unnecessary.
He said he didn't mean to hit her, but that didn't make it okay to me. He brought her a Popsicle and a flower as a peace offering, which she easily accepted and forgave, because she said that's what best friends do.
He asked what she was going to do in middle school and she said maybe join the school play or newspaper. He grunted and said she would and I was like what is that supposed to mean? I didn't care for it.
His friends Peter and Anthony came over, and Jeff ditched her with only a look, that he's going to be with the guys now, one he's been giving her all summer. Not cool.
It's gross that Jeff will eat almost anything, like bugs and pebbles and dirt. It was stupid when he pretended to eat the worm and told them to call him the Worm King.
It's cute that they hold up notes to each other from inside their houses, sometimes they're coded.
Her friends were getting on my nerves, talking about clothes and boys and giggling, talking badly about other girls. Christina said Taryn should date Jeff. Leslie, who always thought Jeff was a dork, said he's cuter this year. It was a bit annoying that Taryn said she didn't like anyone. Get real. You're attracted to people before you even start school. By 6th grade you most definitely have someone you like, more than one person. Is Taryn an alien??
It's cute that they call each other and play each other music over the phone, and watch each other through their bedrooms.
Taryn asked Jeff if they could ride the bus together the first day of school and he said what else were they going to do? He said 6th grade wouldn't be a big deal and sounded annoying. No. You do not talk to your friend like that, especially a girl. His attitude was a real problem and I couldn't believe he not only treated her like that but that she let him.
They were going to play a game of flashlight tag that night and I was looking forward to it but the author didn't write it. That was really disappointing.
Jeff even made fun of his sister. He and his friends would joke that she's a clone from a bad episode of Barney. She told him bye his first day of school and he wouldn't even say it back, thought it was too much to expect because she's a mutant half sister.
Of course Taryn had to fall down on the bus ride, and his stupid friends laughed and Anthony made fun of her. Peter went to say something but Jeff shot him a look so that was nice.
Jeff wanted to go into school with his guy friends instead of Taryn. Why were they not acting like friends?
I was so disappointed in Taryn's behavior. Emma talked to her the first day of school and invited her to sit with her on the bus and Emma barely talked, declined and made faces to Jeff. The second day, Christina talked of how big Emma's head is and Taryn did defend Emma and say it's her hairstyle. But Leslie called her a bobble head and they all laughed. When Taryn said Emma rides her bus, Leslie said it's a drag having Emma near her and Taryn, even though she didn't think it was, said it's hard living near Little Miss Perfect. She herself recognized Emma was nice, didn't know when they decided to hate her, so my question was why? She listed all these things about Emma, like her nail polish matching her socks, her hair clips never moving around, her super model walk, and her good grades, like they were reasons. It sounded like pure jealousy to me.
When she said it's not like they wanted to be mean or nasty to Emma, it's just the way it's always been, I was like what kind of statement is that? If you don't want to be mean to her, then don't be. Simple as that.
It's cute that she gave Jeff her locker combination and he remembered it and put a note in her locker. I wish he hadn't forgotten to tell her about getting a ride to school; she showed up to his house and he'd already left with his step-dad. Come on, Jeff.
At soccer practice that day he scanned the crowd for her and said she better show up. "What's her problem?" He had a lot of nerve after he say he treated her.
I liked that he kept looking for her, didn't know why it was so important that she be there, but it was.
Jeff-Lator gators.
Taryn-Cool--as ice.
One of the soccer guys said "Let's bail" and another said "Like a whale."
Jeff pretended like there was something on her chin, said "Eww. Disgust-o." Lame, and just immature.
Christina had said that if Jeff made the soccer team he'd be a part of the popular crowd with the older kids. I was worried about where that would go. The second week of school, a fellow soccer player invited him to sit with them at lunch. Taryn saw him and waved. I couldn't believe when he looked away and didn't wave back, worrying what the guys would think if he waved to a girl. It got even worse. He wanted a sign that said can't you see I'm hanging with the guys? What the heck? That was so crappy. She came over and he barely looks at her, and gives her a fake smile. He lied and said he didn't see her. It was irritating that she's talking too much and clearly not getting the hint, and she mentioned the book shop which their favorite author was coming to, which wasn't the best move, and she poked him which was annoying, but the way he acted towards her in front of them was unforgivable. What kind of friendship is this?!
Emma told Taryn her glasses looked nice, and Taryn hoped she meant it. I couldn't help finding that totally hypocritical. Wonder what Emma would think if she knew what you said about her. Emma said they matched her hair and shirt, and Taryn thought she tried too hard to be nice. Maybe you should try being nice at all, Taryn.
She went on to notice acne on someone's neck. "Blecch." Wait until you get acne. She pointed out a kid who had big glasses which dwarfed his face and a girl with cat's-eye glasses who looks like she's trying too hard to be hip. And you say Jeff has a big head. First day in her new glasses and she's putting everyone else down.
Leslie said Taryn was afraid to admit how much she secretly loved Jeff. Jeff came down the hallway and Christina couldn't believe she was saying it, but he looked nice. Then Emma came up and stood close to him and he was grinning and nodding a lot. It made me mad! Especially when Leslie said they were flirting. Taryn felt her stomach flip and I'm like get it together, hurry up and figure out if you like each other and do something about it. At least when he saw Taryn he left and walked over to her, but then Emma and her friends followed him, and as Taryn waited for him to say something nice about her glasses he called her 4 eyes in front of everyone. Taryn knew he was trying to show off in front of Emma. His friends started calling her 4 eyes, and he laughed about it. He'd never called her a name in public before, and he knew how worried she was about wearing glasses, and he'd still done it. Jeff is a complete jerk. You're not supposed to put your friends down.
I didn't like the casual way he talked about it in his POV. He knew he shouldn't have said it, and thought the glasses didn't look that bad. Then he realized he couldn't keep thinking about it because he had schoolwork and practice to focus on. Maybe you should think about it. After school he left a note in her locker saying sorry and he shouldn't have said it, and said he wanted her to come to his game and don't forget. How dare he ask her to do something for him when he acted like a total jerk and embarrassed her in front of everyone? The nerve. When he wondered if he could count in Taryn giving him a break I was like you don't deserve a break. At some point you have to stop treating people like crap and expecting them to forgive you and actually treat them right.
Taryn had the idea to freeze him out, so she pretended she didn't see him waving at the bus stop, sat in a different seat, and didn't wait up for him when he was calling her. He didn't get the point and later she lied and said she didn't see him. He said he thought she saw him and she did say like I thought I saw you in the cafeteria? (When he barely spoke to her). But then she talked and smiled at him and agreed to go to the bookstore.
It irritated me that she didn't get his note in her locker. She noticed the paper and thought about cleaning it out later, and I hate when things are put off, especially when it became such a big deal with her friends that Jeff hadn't apologized.
So the next day Jeff didn't show for the book signing and I was so mad at him. They'd been looking forward to it so much and they needed the nice moment together. I hate when authors ruin things. At least Taryn vowed to freeze him out again. He had his soccer game and when I found out he didn't come because he forgot about it, I was so mad. And thanks to the stupid mixup, she didn't know about his game because she didn't read his note, and he forgot about the signing because he'd shoved the note she'd given him that day at lunch in his pocket and never looked at it again. And I was ticked the freak off as he'd noticed Taryn wasn't at his game and Anthony and Peter convinced him she was a bad friend not to come. "Does that make me the lamest friend in the history of the universe?" No, not lame. It makes you the crappiest friend.
Emma said hey at the bus stop and he said his friends point out how much she likes him and he just laughs, because he thinks it's just her being nice. At least he didn't say he liked her.
One of the guys said the coach might put him in the game and be actually didn't care about soccer, could only think about apologizing to Taryn. Wonder of all wonders.
Taryn said she wasn't talking to him but he said "But I know she will. She always does." You don't take advantage of someone being forgiving. That makes you suck even worse.
He asked why she didn't remind him of the book signing and I'm like really? He said she left a note, and she said he didn't, and called him a liar. He actually said she's never called him a name that mean before. Are you kidding me?! He came off as such a baby, couldn't handle it the one time Taryn struck out at him.
Liar. Pants on fire.
Jeff asked if they could start over and she said no. He thought she was a drama queen and told her it's stupid and not to be stupid. The author wouldn't let him be good. She had to keep ruining him. At least she told him he obviously wasn't her friend and he's been acting weird toward her. Finally, tell him off!
It annoyed me that her friends' big plan after Jeff made the 4 eyes comment was to have a makeover. I thought they were going to hatch a plan to get back at him, some big prank to top what he did to Taryn. They styled her hair down for the first time because she always wears it up and they put makeup on her. Like the only way to get noticed is to wear makeup. That sends a bad message. It annoyed me that she said her hair looked more perfect than Emma's. Life is not a competition and stop putting that poor girl down. I never thought I'd come across a book where the heroine is the mean girl, hating on someone for no reason.
Of course some students on her team didn't show up to help at the carnival, so Jeff stepped up to the plate and that's what got them back together again. I didn't like that something had to go wrong in order to bring them back to each other after not talking for like 5 days. He told her she looked good, and noticed her hair, but since she was so worried about not having anyone run the games, she didn't want to talk about it. Total waste. He offered to help and she hugged him and I was like finally! But he checked to see what the guys thought of it and told her she could let go now. I'm sorry, what 6th grade boys do you know who wouldn't want a girl to hug them?? Jeff was like an alien, wondering what his friends would think of him and a girl. Guys would want a girl to talk to them and hug them. It's not something they'd be embarrassed about.
Jeff realized he made new friends and it's the second week into 6th grade and it's all good. Okay. That's why I wanted to read this...
She went to his house and they sat on his porch. He told her her glasses look good. She commented that she was wearing her hair down again and she asked if he liked it. He does, but he likes her hair in a ponytail too. It gave her butterflies. She recognized things were way different between them now.
They went to go play a video game but her flip flop caught on the deck and she fell into him. It caused them both to fall down and it took a while to untangle and stand up. He offered his hand to help her up and then held her hand longer than he had to.
I was so disappointed with the ending. She said she couldn't crush on her friends, since they've known each other since they were in diapers. And she doesn't like boys "that way." Come on. An 11 year old most definitely likes guys. She felt butterflies again but I wanted so much more, tension and awkward moments, forcing them to see each other in a new way. It was totally lacking in everything I wanted and didn't live up to my expectations even halfway. It left off with them not even together. I can't believe this played out this way. I'm so utterly disappointed. The summary had me building up this relationship between guy and girl friends and that wasn't the case at all. Jeff was an immature jerk who doesn't know how to talk or treat girls, who only cared about soccer, who didn't like girls yet. Taryn was a mean girl who never learned a lesson, threw a carnival and got a big head, was known as a drama queen for overreacting, and who didn't like boys yet. This had nothing to offer. And she never learned to treat Emma right. The author left off with Taryn and her friends being mean just 'cause, like it was just expected that girls are catty and mean to each to her for no reason and it's okay. I thought Emma would overhear the terrible things Taryn said about her and stop talking to her, and then Taryn would be left out and wish she had Emma to sit with on the bus and talk to. She needed to regret being mean to Emma and want her friendship but not get it because she ruined it. I waited for Taryn's lesson. It never came.
This sends a bad message to girls. That it's okay to talk badly about people; if you think too perfect then they deserve it. They shouldn't be so perfect because they're asking for it. You should also put up with that jerk "friend" who constantly puts you down, makes fun of you, embarrasses you in front of other people, and forgets about you in favor of other people and other things, and pretends he doesn't know you in front of his new friends. That's just how friends treat each other.
He was a bad friend for like 90% of the book.
This was about school changing and them changing with it, with a minute amount of a setup for a budding attraction that would take place in the future. Not the sweet book I couldn't wait to read, with best friends liking each other.
It was deflating to start reading and realize it's in present tense. I can't overstate how badly I hate present tense. And everything nowadays seems to have to be in it.
On a personal note, it's cool that Jeff's last name is Rasmussen, because that's the last name of the entertainer for the PBR.
It went too far having Taryn's head hurt and her check her head for a bump after the prank Jeff pulled. He shouldn't be hurting her!
They've known each other for 11 years. He teases her and pinched and pokes her. But this time he threw a shoe at her, and he calls her stinky and bones, which I found too juvenile and crossing a line. You shouldn't say someone smells, especially a girl. I didn't believe she was stinky, but it makes no sense to call someone stinky when they're not.
She teases him about the 2 long toes on his left foot and that was gross. And she gave him a "three-knuckled noogie." It was coming off as so juvenile. I didn't like that she'd cry when he said a harsh word to her. Their relationship didn't sound healthy and they didn't sound like friends.
They were born the same weekend, weighed the exact same amount of 7 lb 4 oz, and were both 20 inches long. That's...really unrealistic and just unnecessary.
He said he didn't mean to hit her, but that didn't make it okay to me. He brought her a Popsicle and a flower as a peace offering, which she easily accepted and forgave, because she said that's what best friends do.
He asked what she was going to do in middle school and she said maybe join the school play or newspaper. He grunted and said she would and I was like what is that supposed to mean? I didn't care for it.
His friends Peter and Anthony came over, and Jeff ditched her with only a look, that he's going to be with the guys now, one he's been giving her all summer. Not cool.
It's gross that Jeff will eat almost anything, like bugs and pebbles and dirt. It was stupid when he pretended to eat the worm and told them to call him the Worm King.
It's cute that they hold up notes to each other from inside their houses, sometimes they're coded.
Her friends were getting on my nerves, talking about clothes and boys and giggling, talking badly about other girls. Christina said Taryn should date Jeff. Leslie, who always thought Jeff was a dork, said he's cuter this year. It was a bit annoying that Taryn said she didn't like anyone. Get real. You're attracted to people before you even start school. By 6th grade you most definitely have someone you like, more than one person. Is Taryn an alien??
It's cute that they call each other and play each other music over the phone, and watch each other through their bedrooms.
Taryn asked Jeff if they could ride the bus together the first day of school and he said what else were they going to do? He said 6th grade wouldn't be a big deal and sounded annoying. No. You do not talk to your friend like that, especially a girl. His attitude was a real problem and I couldn't believe he not only treated her like that but that she let him.
They were going to play a game of flashlight tag that night and I was looking forward to it but the author didn't write it. That was really disappointing.
Jeff even made fun of his sister. He and his friends would joke that she's a clone from a bad episode of Barney. She told him bye his first day of school and he wouldn't even say it back, thought it was too much to expect because she's a mutant half sister.
Of course Taryn had to fall down on the bus ride, and his stupid friends laughed and Anthony made fun of her. Peter went to say something but Jeff shot him a look so that was nice.
Jeff wanted to go into school with his guy friends instead of Taryn. Why were they not acting like friends?
I was so disappointed in Taryn's behavior. Emma talked to her the first day of school and invited her to sit with her on the bus and Emma barely talked, declined and made faces to Jeff. The second day, Christina talked of how big Emma's head is and Taryn did defend Emma and say it's her hairstyle. But Leslie called her a bobble head and they all laughed. When Taryn said Emma rides her bus, Leslie said it's a drag having Emma near her and Taryn, even though she didn't think it was, said it's hard living near Little Miss Perfect. She herself recognized Emma was nice, didn't know when they decided to hate her, so my question was why? She listed all these things about Emma, like her nail polish matching her socks, her hair clips never moving around, her super model walk, and her good grades, like they were reasons. It sounded like pure jealousy to me.
When she said it's not like they wanted to be mean or nasty to Emma, it's just the way it's always been, I was like what kind of statement is that? If you don't want to be mean to her, then don't be. Simple as that.
It's cute that she gave Jeff her locker combination and he remembered it and put a note in her locker. I wish he hadn't forgotten to tell her about getting a ride to school; she showed up to his house and he'd already left with his step-dad. Come on, Jeff.
At soccer practice that day he scanned the crowd for her and said she better show up. "What's her problem?" He had a lot of nerve after he say he treated her.
I liked that he kept looking for her, didn't know why it was so important that she be there, but it was.
Jeff-Lator gators.
Taryn-Cool--as ice.
One of the soccer guys said "Let's bail" and another said "Like a whale."
Jeff pretended like there was something on her chin, said "Eww. Disgust-o." Lame, and just immature.
Christina had said that if Jeff made the soccer team he'd be a part of the popular crowd with the older kids. I was worried about where that would go. The second week of school, a fellow soccer player invited him to sit with them at lunch. Taryn saw him and waved. I couldn't believe when he looked away and didn't wave back, worrying what the guys would think if he waved to a girl. It got even worse. He wanted a sign that said can't you see I'm hanging with the guys? What the heck? That was so crappy. She came over and he barely looks at her, and gives her a fake smile. He lied and said he didn't see her. It was irritating that she's talking too much and clearly not getting the hint, and she mentioned the book shop which their favorite author was coming to, which wasn't the best move, and she poked him which was annoying, but the way he acted towards her in front of them was unforgivable. What kind of friendship is this?!
Emma told Taryn her glasses looked nice, and Taryn hoped she meant it. I couldn't help finding that totally hypocritical. Wonder what Emma would think if she knew what you said about her. Emma said they matched her hair and shirt, and Taryn thought she tried too hard to be nice. Maybe you should try being nice at all, Taryn.
She went on to notice acne on someone's neck. "Blecch." Wait until you get acne. She pointed out a kid who had big glasses which dwarfed his face and a girl with cat's-eye glasses who looks like she's trying too hard to be hip. And you say Jeff has a big head. First day in her new glasses and she's putting everyone else down.
Leslie said Taryn was afraid to admit how much she secretly loved Jeff. Jeff came down the hallway and Christina couldn't believe she was saying it, but he looked nice. Then Emma came up and stood close to him and he was grinning and nodding a lot. It made me mad! Especially when Leslie said they were flirting. Taryn felt her stomach flip and I'm like get it together, hurry up and figure out if you like each other and do something about it. At least when he saw Taryn he left and walked over to her, but then Emma and her friends followed him, and as Taryn waited for him to say something nice about her glasses he called her 4 eyes in front of everyone. Taryn knew he was trying to show off in front of Emma. His friends started calling her 4 eyes, and he laughed about it. He'd never called her a name in public before, and he knew how worried she was about wearing glasses, and he'd still done it. Jeff is a complete jerk. You're not supposed to put your friends down.
I didn't like the casual way he talked about it in his POV. He knew he shouldn't have said it, and thought the glasses didn't look that bad. Then he realized he couldn't keep thinking about it because he had schoolwork and practice to focus on. Maybe you should think about it. After school he left a note in her locker saying sorry and he shouldn't have said it, and said he wanted her to come to his game and don't forget. How dare he ask her to do something for him when he acted like a total jerk and embarrassed her in front of everyone? The nerve. When he wondered if he could count in Taryn giving him a break I was like you don't deserve a break. At some point you have to stop treating people like crap and expecting them to forgive you and actually treat them right.
Taryn had the idea to freeze him out, so she pretended she didn't see him waving at the bus stop, sat in a different seat, and didn't wait up for him when he was calling her. He didn't get the point and later she lied and said she didn't see him. He said he thought she saw him and she did say like I thought I saw you in the cafeteria? (When he barely spoke to her). But then she talked and smiled at him and agreed to go to the bookstore.
It irritated me that she didn't get his note in her locker. She noticed the paper and thought about cleaning it out later, and I hate when things are put off, especially when it became such a big deal with her friends that Jeff hadn't apologized.
So the next day Jeff didn't show for the book signing and I was so mad at him. They'd been looking forward to it so much and they needed the nice moment together. I hate when authors ruin things. At least Taryn vowed to freeze him out again. He had his soccer game and when I found out he didn't come because he forgot about it, I was so mad. And thanks to the stupid mixup, she didn't know about his game because she didn't read his note, and he forgot about the signing because he'd shoved the note she'd given him that day at lunch in his pocket and never looked at it again. And I was ticked the freak off as he'd noticed Taryn wasn't at his game and Anthony and Peter convinced him she was a bad friend not to come. "Does that make me the lamest friend in the history of the universe?" No, not lame. It makes you the crappiest friend.
Emma said hey at the bus stop and he said his friends point out how much she likes him and he just laughs, because he thinks it's just her being nice. At least he didn't say he liked her.
One of the guys said the coach might put him in the game and be actually didn't care about soccer, could only think about apologizing to Taryn. Wonder of all wonders.
Taryn said she wasn't talking to him but he said "But I know she will. She always does." You don't take advantage of someone being forgiving. That makes you suck even worse.
He asked why she didn't remind him of the book signing and I'm like really? He said she left a note, and she said he didn't, and called him a liar. He actually said she's never called him a name that mean before. Are you kidding me?! He came off as such a baby, couldn't handle it the one time Taryn struck out at him.
Liar. Pants on fire.
Jeff asked if they could start over and she said no. He thought she was a drama queen and told her it's stupid and not to be stupid. The author wouldn't let him be good. She had to keep ruining him. At least she told him he obviously wasn't her friend and he's been acting weird toward her. Finally, tell him off!
It annoyed me that her friends' big plan after Jeff made the 4 eyes comment was to have a makeover. I thought they were going to hatch a plan to get back at him, some big prank to top what he did to Taryn. They styled her hair down for the first time because she always wears it up and they put makeup on her. Like the only way to get noticed is to wear makeup. That sends a bad message. It annoyed me that she said her hair looked more perfect than Emma's. Life is not a competition and stop putting that poor girl down. I never thought I'd come across a book where the heroine is the mean girl, hating on someone for no reason.
Of course some students on her team didn't show up to help at the carnival, so Jeff stepped up to the plate and that's what got them back together again. I didn't like that something had to go wrong in order to bring them back to each other after not talking for like 5 days. He told her she looked good, and noticed her hair, but since she was so worried about not having anyone run the games, she didn't want to talk about it. Total waste. He offered to help and she hugged him and I was like finally! But he checked to see what the guys thought of it and told her she could let go now. I'm sorry, what 6th grade boys do you know who wouldn't want a girl to hug them?? Jeff was like an alien, wondering what his friends would think of him and a girl. Guys would want a girl to talk to them and hug them. It's not something they'd be embarrassed about.
Jeff realized he made new friends and it's the second week into 6th grade and it's all good. Okay. That's why I wanted to read this...
She went to his house and they sat on his porch. He told her her glasses look good. She commented that she was wearing her hair down again and she asked if he liked it. He does, but he likes her hair in a ponytail too. It gave her butterflies. She recognized things were way different between them now.
They went to go play a video game but her flip flop caught on the deck and she fell into him. It caused them both to fall down and it took a while to untangle and stand up. He offered his hand to help her up and then held her hand longer than he had to.
I was so disappointed with the ending. She said she couldn't crush on her friends, since they've known each other since they were in diapers. And she doesn't like boys "that way." Come on. An 11 year old most definitely likes guys. She felt butterflies again but I wanted so much more, tension and awkward moments, forcing them to see each other in a new way. It was totally lacking in everything I wanted and didn't live up to my expectations even halfway. It left off with them not even together. I can't believe this played out this way. I'm so utterly disappointed. The summary had me building up this relationship between guy and girl friends and that wasn't the case at all. Jeff was an immature jerk who doesn't know how to talk or treat girls, who only cared about soccer, who didn't like girls yet. Taryn was a mean girl who never learned a lesson, threw a carnival and got a big head, was known as a drama queen for overreacting, and who didn't like boys yet. This had nothing to offer. And she never learned to treat Emma right. The author left off with Taryn and her friends being mean just 'cause, like it was just expected that girls are catty and mean to each to her for no reason and it's okay. I thought Emma would overhear the terrible things Taryn said about her and stop talking to her, and then Taryn would be left out and wish she had Emma to sit with on the bus and talk to. She needed to regret being mean to Emma and want her friendship but not get it because she ruined it. I waited for Taryn's lesson. It never came.
This sends a bad message to girls. That it's okay to talk badly about people; if you think too perfect then they deserve it. They shouldn't be so perfect because they're asking for it. You should also put up with that jerk "friend" who constantly puts you down, makes fun of you, embarrasses you in front of other people, and forgets about you in favor of other people and other things, and pretends he doesn't know you in front of his new friends. That's just how friends treat each other.
He was a bad friend for like 90% of the book.
This was about school changing and them changing with it, with a minute amount of a setup for a budding attraction that would take place in the future. Not the sweet book I couldn't wait to read, with best friends liking each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2014
This is the cutest book ever!! I read this book when I was eleven or twelve. I loved it, and I read the other Candy Apple books. I recently just bought this book, because I remember how much I loved it. So, this book was just sitting on my shelf, and I was in the mood to read a cute, simple book. This was the book I was looking for. The book is so short, but I needed a break from reading big books. I loved the characters, and I like how the book is about friendship. At the end, it can be considered a romance, because the main character realizes she likes her best friend. I wish there was a sequel to this book. This book was also about two friends starting middle school. Even though this book is too old for me, cause I'm 18, it's nice to get away from books that take place in high school. This book had me laughing and smiling. I would recommend this book to anyone. You don't have to be in middle school to enjoy this book. Go check out this book!! Five stars!
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May 27, 2010I think this book was great! It was very riveting ! Many kids can relate to this type of situation.
Summary- This book was about a girl named Taryn who starts to like her next door neighbor Jeff. She never really liked him like that untill the 6 th grade. thats when things start to change!Read the book to find out more!!!!!
Summary- This book was about a girl named Taryn who starts to like her next door neighbor Jeff. She never really liked him like that untill the 6 th grade. thats when things start to change!Read the book to find out more!!!!!
March 22, 2020
Started reading with my daughter and the first chapter made me ill. A boy purposefully abuses his neighbor on multiple occasions and gives her gifts to ask forgiveness and all the abuse disappears and she forgives him again and again. Teach young girls early that you should never put up with this sort of behavior from a boy or a man. “I guess it’s a boy thing” is unacceptable.
April 21, 2009
This book is really interseting, because it's about this girl Taryn and boy Jeff, trying their best to get through middle school and still be friends.
It thought me try to never forget your friends because they will always help u at a time of need.
It thought me try to never forget your friends because they will always help u at a time of need.
February 11, 2012
This book was very confusing to me.First they were friends.But when middle school hits there having crushes on each other.But it was really cool since one of them played soccer.Otherwisethe whole confusion,this is a really good book.I would reccomened it to people of all ages.
July 17, 2018
I read this as a kid and they went through a lot of unneeded drama and miscommunication. This may be why I had issues with my childhood friendships. I mean it was okay but what the heck. Taryn was confused on how Jeff turned out to be such a "boy" which doesn't make any sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2008
i liked this book alot it was something most girls can relate to .You should totally read it!
November 21, 2008
I really liked this book! I think who ever is reading this review right now should read it and all your friends should too. It's really cute, sweet, and I really like the plot in the story.
January 8, 2009
u should read, deffently
October 6, 2009
I wish some boy could be my next door neighboor.
November 4, 2009
This is a cute story about 2 best friends who start to like each other. I didn't really enjoy it. I thought it could've been a little bit more specific.
February 2, 2010
so far it is about a girl who is going to junior high school for thgew first time and she for the first tiome is going to be in a different class and different floor.
July 30, 2011
I like how it's from Taryn and Jeff's point of views.
September 27, 2013
Oh my goodness. This book is great!:)
March 14, 2019
I loveeeee Candy Apple Series
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August 28, 2022Omg these books raised me I totally forgot about them!!! 😭💖
March 25, 2020
THIS BOOK WAS VERY GOOD I LOVE IT
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October 28, 2013I think this book is weird and also funny. I also think that this book is really a great book for people who like candy books. I think this is also a good book for grown ups such as teachers,parents,or people who read newspaper or also people who like to read on the train because this a great book for a lot of people. The funny parts are in the middle and also the end for example in one of the parts Tarlyn fell on Jeff and he said your superstrength are no match for me Wonder Woman and Tarlyn said watch it Aquaman. I think this book should be recommend to people who like to read books including people who read newspapers.
This is actually a great book for many people including people like me.
This is actually a great book for many people including people like me.
February 23, 2016
This book is really cute!!! I still remember the content clearly after I finished it several years ago. Taryn and Jeff are just turning into teenagers (or probably still not yet), and starts to develop the subtle feeling towards each other. Although it doesn't talk about them falling in love, I sti really like the relationship between them- friendship and maybe something more. It is so cute when they tease each other. I would love to see a sequel about them in high school and actually starts dating!!!!!
P.S. Although I really like this book, it doesn't really fit in the young adult genre and probably is more suitable for junior high students.
P.S. Although I really like this book, it doesn't really fit in the young adult genre and probably is more suitable for junior high students.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2010
This book switches points of view between Taryn and Jeff, two bestfriends ever since they can remember. But when sixth grade starts things begin to change, will all these new changes tear them apart? Or will the expectations of them becoming closer than friends bring them together? I recommend this book to anyone, it's a good classic story. I don't recommend this book to people who would think of it as a tacky, cliche.
March 1, 2014
BEST BOOK EVER. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I USED TO READ THIS WHEN I WAS DOWN. IT DIDN'T HELP THAT I WAS GOING TO GET GLASSES, AND I WAS REALLY SELF-CONSCIOUS. UGH, IT URKS ME THAT NO ONE HAS LIKED THIS BOOK THE WAY I HAVE. I THINK IT WAS A GOD SENT GIFT. WHENEVER I TOLD MY MOM I WOULD ONLY READ NEW BOOKS, SHE FORCED ME GO TO A THRIFT SHOP AND I FOUND THIS BOOK, EVER SINCE ME AND LAURA DOWER HAVE BEEN BEST FRIENDS (WELL IN MY MIND).
February 29, 2016
It's pretty much a story about a girl and a boy who were friends every since they were teeny tiny children. Conflicts crop up when 6th grade comes around the corner. Misunderstandings happen and argument erupt. Through thick and thin, both Taryn and Jeff make up. Good thing they became good friends again. But, for the record, Taryn does not have a crush on Jeff. She just enjoys the experiences of being with Jeff.
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