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Ladybug Boy: Grove County Short Stories
Librarian's note: There are Alternate Cover Editions for this edition of this book here and here.
Thirteen-year-old Lola Grimes' parents are out of town and her twin brother, Nicky, has decided to take advantage of the situation and have a sleepover. Among the boys he invites is Claude Bonhomme, aka The Ladybug Boy. Lola has a crush on Claude, even though they've never spoken. While the boys play Dungeons and Dragons, Lola's night is filled with one frustrating attempt after another to get Claude's attention. But, just around midnight, during a game of Truth or Dare, she just might have a chance to really be noticed. Set in 1985, this short story explores the pain, the glory, the humor and the tragedy of growing up.
Thirteen-year-old Lola Grimes' parents are out of town and her twin brother, Nicky, has decided to take advantage of the situation and have a sleepover. Among the boys he invites is Claude Bonhomme, aka The Ladybug Boy. Lola has a crush on Claude, even though they've never spoken. While the boys play Dungeons and Dragons, Lola's night is filled with one frustrating attempt after another to get Claude's attention. But, just around midnight, during a game of Truth or Dare, she just might have a chance to really be noticed. Set in 1985, this short story explores the pain, the glory, the humor and the tragedy of growing up.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2015
9 people want to read
About the author
Dwayne Fry
62 books133 followersA jack of all genres and Master of None, I like to dabble in writing most anything that suits my current fancy.
'Though I've been writing since age eleven, I hadn't bothered to publish anything until a few years ago, starting with my short story Old Pops' Last Beer. Since that time I've put out a few dozen short stories, along with a few novellas.
I consider my first published novel, Rave On to be a fiftieth birthday present to myself, having shoved it into the public eye on that semicentennial landmark. I often refer to it as a "magical, musical, romance". It's a story of what happens when a rockabilly singer from Iowa meets a mysterious magician from Romania.
My second novel is Suckers & Rogues, a coming-of-age saga set in the mid-eighties in which I examine teenage angst.
My third novel, which should be out by summer of 2022 is untitled at the moment. It is a paranormal mystery / horror about a group of ghost hunters exploring the secrets of an abandoned kiddie theme park.
When I'm not writing, I work with special needs adults or spend time with my wife and my dogs.
'Though I've been writing since age eleven, I hadn't bothered to publish anything until a few years ago, starting with my short story Old Pops' Last Beer. Since that time I've put out a few dozen short stories, along with a few novellas.
I consider my first published novel, Rave On to be a fiftieth birthday present to myself, having shoved it into the public eye on that semicentennial landmark. I often refer to it as a "magical, musical, romance". It's a story of what happens when a rockabilly singer from Iowa meets a mysterious magician from Romania.
My second novel is Suckers & Rogues, a coming-of-age saga set in the mid-eighties in which I examine teenage angst.
My third novel, which should be out by summer of 2022 is untitled at the moment. It is a paranormal mystery / horror about a group of ghost hunters exploring the secrets of an abandoned kiddie theme park.
When I'm not writing, I work with special needs adults or spend time with my wife and my dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 26, 2015
This is the third short story I read from this author. While I'm not a fan of short stories in general, I find his work enjoyable so I seem to always come back for more.
In this one, we follow a young group of friends doing a sleep over while their parents are out for the weekend. Mr. Fry's teens are convincing, acting like true teenagers/pre-teens. I'd really have to wonder if this was not the result of a hidden camera. I could totally see this being true. The part where they played Dungeons & Dragons made me smile as it brought back memories of a game I loved to hate or hated to love, depending on the days.
The story was cute and a perfect read to relax between two longer novels.
In this one, we follow a young group of friends doing a sleep over while their parents are out for the weekend. Mr. Fry's teens are convincing, acting like true teenagers/pre-teens. I'd really have to wonder if this was not the result of a hidden camera. I could totally see this being true. The part where they played Dungeons & Dragons made me smile as it brought back memories of a game I loved to hate or hated to love, depending on the days.
The story was cute and a perfect read to relax between two longer novels.
July 19, 2015
This might be the sweetest story I've read by Mr. Fry. I may be slightly biased because my own awkward teen years fell right around the same time as Lola's and I'm sure that I too was prone to fits of melodrama. Aside from the semi-awkward nostalgia, the story is well written and highly enjoyable. Though it is short, we get a pretty well rounded view of the individual personalities of each of the characters. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these kids.
January 28, 2017
Sweet Nostalgia
Welcome to 12 years old again. It's 1985 and the boys are playing D & D in the basement. The parents are on a trip, and you, the only girl, are having a bit of serious adolescent angst, heightened by having your crush, Ladybug Boy, in the house with your brother's other friends, and not noticing you at all.
This little tale is well worth reading. Very real. I feel like I just remembered something.
Welcome to 12 years old again. It's 1985 and the boys are playing D & D in the basement. The parents are on a trip, and you, the only girl, are having a bit of serious adolescent angst, heightened by having your crush, Ladybug Boy, in the house with your brother's other friends, and not noticing you at all.
This little tale is well worth reading. Very real. I feel like I just remembered something.
June 9, 2017
Entertaining and funny short-story. I laughed a lot about the boys playing Dungeons and Dragons and enjoyed the sweet romance as well.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews