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Girl v. Boy
All’s not fair in love, war, and high school journalism.
Sixteen-year-old Luisa Perez is not looking to win any awards for school spirit. In fact, she and her friends make it a point to avoid all activities considered “extra-curricular.” So when her English teacher volunteers her to be an anonymous columnist for the school paper, Luisa’s first impulse is to run. But, unlike her high-school dropout sister, Luisa does want to go to college—it may be her only ticket out of a life spent working at the cowboy-themed diner where she waitresses part time—and it would be nice to have something on her applications.
Her first assignment is to cover her high school's latest fundraiser, which pits the girls against the boys. Luisa will cover the events from the female POV, while another anonymous writer provides the male perspective—or, at least, that’s how it begins. The two columnists soon find themselves engaged in an epic battle of the sexes—a battle that Luisa is determined to win. Just who does this guy think he is, encouraging his peers to act like Neanderthals with their girlfriends? And why can’t Luisa shake the very sinking feeling that her new unidentified nemesis might also be her new boyfriend?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2008
43 people are currently reading
3289 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Collins
29 books81 followersWhen I'm not writing books with Sandy, I can usually be found on a film set, where life is anything but dull. I've hung off the side of Toronto's CN tower, faced down a Grizzly bear, danced with Gregory Hines, and shared a beer with Ireland's Lord Guinness.
In 2003, Panavision Canada recognized my camera skills with the coveted Woody Award. It's an honor. Really.
And to think I almost became a cop. Fortunately for the citizens of Toronto, I flunked the psychological profile. Then, there was my brief stint as a bank manager, but I don't want to dwell on that.
Better to dwell on the restaurant job where I met the man who became my husband. I was the bartender; he was the busboy. It's still a perfect match: I get to call the "shots" and he cleans up after me. More importantly, he cleans up after our schnauzer, whom we affectionately describe as a four-bagger (Note: Dog-owners, you know what I'm talking about here).
I am a tea granny and a home dècor magazine junkie. I play the piano, although I don't own one. I own two guitars, although I don't play them. I sing to my dog, wear fleece even in summer, and never miss an episode of Coronation Street.
I could go on, but my tea is cold. And let's face it, you probably stopped reading after I mentioned the Woody Award.
In 2003, Panavision Canada recognized my camera skills with the coveted Woody Award. It's an honor. Really.
And to think I almost became a cop. Fortunately for the citizens of Toronto, I flunked the psychological profile. Then, there was my brief stint as a bank manager, but I don't want to dwell on that.
Better to dwell on the restaurant job where I met the man who became my husband. I was the bartender; he was the busboy. It's still a perfect match: I get to call the "shots" and he cleans up after me. More importantly, he cleans up after our schnauzer, whom we affectionately describe as a four-bagger (Note: Dog-owners, you know what I'm talking about here).
I am a tea granny and a home dècor magazine junkie. I play the piano, although I don't own one. I own two guitars, although I don't play them. I sing to my dog, wear fleece even in summer, and never miss an episode of Coronation Street.
I could go on, but my tea is cold. And let's face it, you probably stopped reading after I mentioned the Woody Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
January 8, 2013
Have you ever wondered under how many Book Stress you’re under? Yes, you read well, Book Stress. I’m sure we’ve all encountered books where our hearts race along with the characters and where you’re on the edge wondering what will happen, where you cry and where you are so frustrated you want to throw the book at your brother. I think we all feel what the characters in the books we read are feeling, at least I do. So when I read books like Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma I end up crushed, or like Sometimes it Happens by Lauren Barnhold, that even though it's chick-lit it still had a decent amount of stress level. Of course this Book Stress is awesome to endure....
So I picked up Boy V. Girl and I was laughing so hard! And having so much fun that I stopped in the middle of the book and said ‘wow, it had been a while since I wasn’t stressed by a character. This book is probably the most predictable story you’ll ever find. I Loved It! With really embarrassing situations. I Loved it! Just to have a good time. I Loved It! A simple and light read. LOOOOOOOOVED it!
It’s awesome to be under Book Stress, but it’s also awesome to come out of it sometime. Light, funny and *siiiiigh* the boys! They were awesome! LOL, in a good PG way x) You’ll be waiting for Luisa to see the right boy and anxious for everything that happens. Really small Book Stress lever here. It’s just super fun and super cute. Loved it :D!
So I picked up Boy V. Girl and I was laughing so hard! And having so much fun that I stopped in the middle of the book and said ‘wow, it had been a while since I wasn’t stressed by a character. This book is probably the most predictable story you’ll ever find. I Loved It! With really embarrassing situations. I Loved it! Just to have a good time. I Loved It! A simple and light read. LOOOOOOOOVED it!
It’s awesome to be under Book Stress, but it’s also awesome to come out of it sometime. Light, funny and *siiiiigh* the boys! They were awesome! LOL, in a good PG way x) You’ll be waiting for Luisa to see the right boy and anxious for everything that happens. Really small Book Stress lever here. It’s just super fun and super cute. Loved it :D!
September 19, 2011
This was a cute read. I can honestly say I laughed a good deal of the time; but some of the back and forth between Scoop and Newshound got to be old. (I might have skimmed). The premise is cute three girls trying to get by in a big Chicago school. Determined to make their sophomore year different than there freshman year. What "Luisa" aka Lu didn't expect was that her English teacher would volunteer her for a project that really would change her life.
The story rotates between Lu's friends, her work, home and school life and her quickly amassing near FBs. (First Boyfriend) You will also so CB (Current Boyfriend) and EB (Ex-boyfriend)
Something like this:
Lu & Tyler
Lu & Mac
Lu & Tyler
Lu & Russ
Lu & Tyler
(You might think there's a pattern but...)
Lu & Joey: Will this one stick.
Because I don't want to ruin it for you. The basics are the Lu comes from a single parent home of which both her mom and sister dropped out of high school to have babies...No one says there proud of this it just happens. Her sister Grace is harsh at least she was before the baby now she's mellowing (there is the whole separate storyline between her and Paz her dropout boyfriend father of her child) but she seems to still have it out for Lu (or is it she's looking out for her).
Izzy and Rachel are Lu's cohorts (best friends) Rachel struggles with her parents not wanting her to date anyone but a "good" Jewish boy but she likes Jason so much but his grandmother is only half Jewish (is it enough). And Izzy the fashion queen wouldn't do anything outdoorsy or would she for Carson????
The school with no spirit Lu's school is put into a contest with the local schools to win a month of vacation in December but they girls have to go against the boys to raise money for illiteracy.
Thus the Scoop & Newshound saga begins. In the battle of the sexes maybe its all about perception and a little stretching of the truth.
The story rotates between Lu's friends, her work, home and school life and her quickly amassing near FBs. (First Boyfriend) You will also so CB (Current Boyfriend) and EB (Ex-boyfriend)
Something like this:
Lu & Tyler
Lu & Mac
Lu & Tyler
Lu & Russ
Lu & Tyler
(You might think there's a pattern but...)
Lu & Joey: Will this one stick.
Because I don't want to ruin it for you. The basics are the Lu comes from a single parent home of which both her mom and sister dropped out of high school to have babies...No one says there proud of this it just happens. Her sister Grace is harsh at least she was before the baby now she's mellowing (there is the whole separate storyline between her and Paz her dropout boyfriend father of her child) but she seems to still have it out for Lu (or is it she's looking out for her).
Izzy and Rachel are Lu's cohorts (best friends) Rachel struggles with her parents not wanting her to date anyone but a "good" Jewish boy but she likes Jason so much but his grandmother is only half Jewish (is it enough). And Izzy the fashion queen wouldn't do anything outdoorsy or would she for Carson????
The school with no spirit Lu's school is put into a contest with the local schools to win a month of vacation in December but they girls have to go against the boys to raise money for illiteracy.
Thus the Scoop & Newshound saga begins. In the battle of the sexes maybe its all about perception and a little stretching of the truth.
July 12, 2010
At her Chicago high school, Luisa Perez is nothing special. But Luisa is content with her life, working part-time in a diner and hanging out with her two best friends, forever looking out for her Future Boyfriend. When she gets offered an anonymous gig as a newspaper columnist covering the city-wide fundraising competition promoting literacy, she is surprised but she accepts. Luisa isn't the only one writing the column however. Since the competion is boy versus girls, she will be sharing the column with an anonymous male writer who's opinions differ greatly for her own. This book covers a very hectic semester as Luisa deals with her floundering love life, antagonistic Queen Bees, and sparring with her male counterpart, Scoop, in a battle of the sexes.
This book was cute. Not overly fluffy- there were mentions of sex and whatnot- but it was definitely a light-hearted read. While the ending was pretty predictable, there were unexpected moments on the way there. Luisa was a likable enough character. Smart enough to be believable columnist, but very very confused over boys. I'm sure some readers will absolutely adore her column.....even though I found Scoop's a tad bit better. Does that make me a traitor to my sex? Not really. Anyway, I really liked this book had a predomintanly Hispanic cast, but didn't try too hard to seem hispanic. Usually I get blinded with Spanish sayings I don't understand.
It's a cute book. I'm sure some readers will eat it up. There were some funny moments, there were some witty moments. For me, though, it was just all right. I recommend it as a light library read.
Oh. And sucky cover, BTW.
This book was cute. Not overly fluffy- there were mentions of sex and whatnot- but it was definitely a light-hearted read. While the ending was pretty predictable, there were unexpected moments on the way there. Luisa was a likable enough character. Smart enough to be believable columnist, but very very confused over boys. I'm sure some readers will absolutely adore her column.....even though I found Scoop's a tad bit better. Does that make me a traitor to my sex? Not really. Anyway, I really liked this book had a predomintanly Hispanic cast, but didn't try too hard to seem hispanic. Usually I get blinded with Spanish sayings I don't understand.
It's a cute book. I'm sure some readers will eat it up. There were some funny moments, there were some witty moments. For me, though, it was just all right. I recommend it as a light library read.
Oh. And sucky cover, BTW.
August 9, 2008
Thoughtful and interesting. I haven't been too impressed with Collins and Rideout's other books, but this one is well written and quite good.
March 1, 2016
It's not a good book, but it's ok for when you are taking breaks from studying.
February 20, 2020
Nebyla to až taková blbost, ale hlavní postava byla naprosto mimo. V této knížce se prostě všechno honí kolem BF (boyfriendů). Četlo se to alespoň rychle a občas jsem se i zasmála. Prostě čtení, nad kterým není třeba přemýšlet. (Naopak vám to možná nějaké ty mozkové buňky ubere..)
October 10, 2012
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Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
Girl V. Boy is another book that's been on my to-read for a while. If you were reading my to-read list, it's probably like number 20 or so. When I saw it on Paperback swap, I knew it was going to be one of the first books I ordered. And it was. The moment I got it in the mail, I tore open the package and started to devour the book. And what did I get? A big old serving of dissapointment.
This book just didn't do it for me. Luisa wasn't a very good character, and I just almost couldn't stand her. I hate to break it to you, but...girls just don't crush on (and go on dates with) five different guys at once. It just doesn't work like that. And any girl that can work it like that has questionable morals. I can't imagine wanting to date five different guys at once. "Maybe I should've stayed with him." "But I like him more." "But he was so much fun to hang out with." "But I want the other one." GRRRRRRR.
And the romance had absolutely no chemistry, or actual, you know, romance. I didn't think that the characters were very good for each other, and none of the characters were very well developed. I just...GRR. The characters made me want to go do something else. Not to sit down and read the book (which is what I did), but to go and do something like watch a movie.
There simply was no real plot. The book bounced around so much (the only consistent thing was the newspaper columns), that it just made me want to throw the book at the wall, because I absolutely was not interested in reading about Luisa's many different boy toys. She got a consistent boyfriend near the end, but she goes and mucks that one up...(if you ask me, she mucked it up in the beginning), but other than that, this books mood changes with the temperature outside.
And I absolutely hate that! I've got to stop now, before I make you all upset with my insistent ranting. Sometimes I really don't know what I think about a book until I start writing a review, and this was one of those.
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
Girl V. Boy is another book that's been on my to-read for a while. If you were reading my to-read list, it's probably like number 20 or so. When I saw it on Paperback swap, I knew it was going to be one of the first books I ordered. And it was. The moment I got it in the mail, I tore open the package and started to devour the book. And what did I get? A big old serving of dissapointment.
This book just didn't do it for me. Luisa wasn't a very good character, and I just almost couldn't stand her. I hate to break it to you, but...girls just don't crush on (and go on dates with) five different guys at once. It just doesn't work like that. And any girl that can work it like that has questionable morals. I can't imagine wanting to date five different guys at once. "Maybe I should've stayed with him." "But I like him more." "But he was so much fun to hang out with." "But I want the other one." GRRRRRRR.
And the romance had absolutely no chemistry, or actual, you know, romance. I didn't think that the characters were very good for each other, and none of the characters were very well developed. I just...GRR. The characters made me want to go do something else. Not to sit down and read the book (which is what I did), but to go and do something like watch a movie.
There simply was no real plot. The book bounced around so much (the only consistent thing was the newspaper columns), that it just made me want to throw the book at the wall, because I absolutely was not interested in reading about Luisa's many different boy toys. She got a consistent boyfriend near the end, but she goes and mucks that one up...(if you ask me, she mucked it up in the beginning), but other than that, this books mood changes with the temperature outside.
And I absolutely hate that! I've got to stop now, before I make you all upset with my insistent ranting. Sometimes I really don't know what I think about a book until I start writing a review, and this was one of those.
September 4, 2017
Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. I'm not a huge fan of present perspective but this book did it well. I also liked it being set in Chicago and dealing with a struggling school that rallies to fight against illiteracy. There were a few cliches (mean popular girl, popular jock guy, MC who isn't like other girls etc), but that's part of the contemporary YA genre.
I think the only thing I actually took issue with would be the free reign they gave sophomores over an entire school's fund raising competition, but if that's all, then this book can raise its hand in victory.
I think the only thing I actually took issue with would be the free reign they gave sophomores over an entire school's fund raising competition, but if that's all, then this book can raise its hand in victory.
Read
May 21, 2012i think this book will b a gud book to read
May 27, 2019
This book was mostly good, mostly funny, mostly sweet. Still there were some moments of dryness. But no blaming it for that. Ending a little rushed but still good.
July 6, 2023
Always a comfort read
June 30, 2017
Did not have very many expectations going into this book. It has been on my tbr for a bit. I thought the storyline was interesting. I also could semi connect to the characters.
March 28, 2020
Just…
No.
No.
March 22, 2017
I thought this book was pretty good. There were a few unrealistic standards in the book. But overall it gives a good perspective into a family who none of them have been to college and most are dropouts. And it shows how hard it is to be part of that kind of family and want to go to college.
October 18, 2010
I had a hard time relating to Luisa because I can't imagine not having any school spirit. I firmly believe that you should attend at least one major sporting event for your high school each season (even if you don't like sports. Everyone is there and it's fun) and I can't imagine not being in any clubs. In Luisa's defense, she does have a job that keeps her very busy. she's a waitress and sometimes she has to cover her older sister, Grace's, shifts (usually when Grace is taking care of her daughter or going on a date with her baby daddy/on again-off again boyfriend Paz. In addition to (at first) not being able to relate to Luisa, I was irritated by how as soon as Luisa engaged in an extracurricular, boys were falling all over themselves to talk to her. True you meet more people at after-school events, but I find it hard to believe that without changing any aspects of her appearance or personality, she would discover all these new admirers (who were not all admirable). And let me just say that there's no way the city of Chicago would ever sponsor a contest as awesome as this one. Throughout the city of Chicago (although there is a tiny issue with this because I thought the story takes place in a suburb which would not be in Chicago...), schools are competing to see who can get the most money. The winner gets a full month off of school for winter break and in the battle of the sexes, the winning gender gets an extra three days off for spring break (the battle of sexes is only for Dunfield High School).
Obviously I loved the high energy of the columns. There are plenty of (mostly clean) innuendos, insults and retorts thrown about. A battle between genders is always intense and fun to read about and this one did not disappoint. One of the best parts of the book is trying to guess who the male columnist is. It's not easy and while it becomes clear towards the end who is NOT the columnist, I didn't expect the big reveal. I thought the whole time that it was the first guy. The relationships Luisa has with family and friends are borderline three dimensional. The characters are developed but not quite fully there. Luisa, Grace and their mother have issues but these issues are never addressed head on so there is no resolution or goal setting. I really liked Paz though. He was the typical rough-exterior-soft-interior guy and I was rooting for him and Grace to work out (and for him to stop picking on Luisa). Luisa does become a character that is easier to identify with as she tries to balance four (!) different guys, she struggles with self-esteem and going too fast.
Girl v. Boy was an indulging, not wholly realistic and somewhat cheesy read. It becomes predictable but the sparkling banter between the two columnists keep the story moving. It's especially amusing to see the effect the two columnists have on the entire school. Girls become more vocal about what they want and guys have even more questions about what girls want. Trying to figure out the identity of the male columnist will keep you constantly turning the pages as will seeing the big finale and figuring out who wins the winter break competition and the battle of the sexes.
Obviously I loved the high energy of the columns. There are plenty of (mostly clean) innuendos, insults and retorts thrown about. A battle between genders is always intense and fun to read about and this one did not disappoint. One of the best parts of the book is trying to guess who the male columnist is. It's not easy and while it becomes clear towards the end who is NOT the columnist, I didn't expect the big reveal. I thought the whole time that it was the first guy. The relationships Luisa has with family and friends are borderline three dimensional. The characters are developed but not quite fully there. Luisa, Grace and their mother have issues but these issues are never addressed head on so there is no resolution or goal setting. I really liked Paz though. He was the typical rough-exterior-soft-interior guy and I was rooting for him and Grace to work out (and for him to stop picking on Luisa). Luisa does become a character that is easier to identify with as she tries to balance four (!) different guys, she struggles with self-esteem and going too fast.
Girl v. Boy was an indulging, not wholly realistic and somewhat cheesy read. It becomes predictable but the sparkling banter between the two columnists keep the story moving. It's especially amusing to see the effect the two columnists have on the entire school. Girls become more vocal about what they want and guys have even more questions about what girls want. Trying to figure out the identity of the male columnist will keep you constantly turning the pages as will seeing the big finale and figuring out who wins the winter break competition and the battle of the sexes.
November 13, 2014
(Review was originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
I really liked this book, to be honest. I've read very ambivalent reviews about it, but I thought it was very well written, interesting and realistic. I enjoyed it; once I started it, I couldn't put it down until I finished it!
I felt a certain kinship with Luisa. In high school, I was just one of those regular people, who was a part of the batch, but never really stood out. Just like Luisa, I work hard to please my parents, I'm determined to have a good future and well, I like to write and think I'm fairly good at it. I found her character and the struggles she encountered (especially with boys and with her older sister) easy to relate to.
The one thing that irked me about Luisa though was how high-and-mighty she could get about things sometimes. It occasionally made me want to slap her silly, but I managed to get over it quick enough.
The book covers Luisa's foray into the world of high school extra-curriculars as an anonymous columnist for the school paper, covering the boys versus girls fundraisers (which is actually for the larger purpose of raising the most money for their school to win a contest and extra days of vacation). It's fun to watch her discover her talent for writing, and to watch as she develops a particular voice in her column. It's also intriguing how her co-columnist, an anonymous male, manages to develop his own voice and share his point of view (which is usually in direct opposition to Luisa's strong ideas).
The columns were funny and interesting; I would totally have read our school newspaper in high school if there had been columns that entertaining. I like how the story is continually tied to the columns, especially when they start revolving around relationships. It was woven together quite neatly.
I liked the way the book ended too. I was totally not expecting Luisa to end up with this particular guy (and I'm not telling who!), but she did and I thought it was how it should be.
The book was a sassy, fun read, with an interesting story, a fun cast of characters and a cute little romance. I'd definitely recommend reading it!
I really liked this book, to be honest. I've read very ambivalent reviews about it, but I thought it was very well written, interesting and realistic. I enjoyed it; once I started it, I couldn't put it down until I finished it!
I felt a certain kinship with Luisa. In high school, I was just one of those regular people, who was a part of the batch, but never really stood out. Just like Luisa, I work hard to please my parents, I'm determined to have a good future and well, I like to write and think I'm fairly good at it. I found her character and the struggles she encountered (especially with boys and with her older sister) easy to relate to.
The one thing that irked me about Luisa though was how high-and-mighty she could get about things sometimes. It occasionally made me want to slap her silly, but I managed to get over it quick enough.
The book covers Luisa's foray into the world of high school extra-curriculars as an anonymous columnist for the school paper, covering the boys versus girls fundraisers (which is actually for the larger purpose of raising the most money for their school to win a contest and extra days of vacation). It's fun to watch her discover her talent for writing, and to watch as she develops a particular voice in her column. It's also intriguing how her co-columnist, an anonymous male, manages to develop his own voice and share his point of view (which is usually in direct opposition to Luisa's strong ideas).
The columns were funny and interesting; I would totally have read our school newspaper in high school if there had been columns that entertaining. I like how the story is continually tied to the columns, especially when they start revolving around relationships. It was woven together quite neatly.
I liked the way the book ended too. I was totally not expecting Luisa to end up with this particular guy (and I'm not telling who!), but she did and I thought it was how it should be.
The book was a sassy, fun read, with an interesting story, a fun cast of characters and a cute little romance. I'd definitely recommend reading it!
February 11, 2009
It's hard to know just what to make of this battle-of-the-sexes story, since it has a lot of surprising and interesting pieces that don't necessarily fit together harmoniously. Luisa Perez finds herself in the position of simultaneously being the Great Hope of her family to her overworked mom, and the unwelcome reminder to her older sister of everything unattainable for Grace as a dropout and a single mother. Used to being pigeonholed as the reliable one with her friends and at home, she's never really had a chance to step into the limelight and explore her own interests until she gets a shot at writing a column for the school newspaper. Writing under her Newshound pseudonym she has a chance to really speak her mind and also lock horns with her similarly anonymous male counterpart, Scoop, whose column focuses on the male perspective. A war of words, mistaken identity, and multiple misunderstandings ensue but there are also breakthroughs and a really interesting evolution of the relationship between the sisters.
While some of this might sound like the setup for a fluffy teen comedy, Collins's characters are incredibly multi-dimensional and hard to simply dismiss. Ultimately though, this means that some of the more gimmicky plot elements feel a little unworthy of them, and Collins seems to struggle with reconciling this herself, as if she feels obligated to drop in a gratuitous little something here or there to remind herself that she's supposed to be writing a fluffy teen comedy. While I can't say I was completely satisfied here, there was at least enough that was right that I would definitely be interested in reading more from Yvonne Collins.
May have a bonus appeal for Chicagoans because of the local setting.
While some of this might sound like the setup for a fluffy teen comedy, Collins's characters are incredibly multi-dimensional and hard to simply dismiss. Ultimately though, this means that some of the more gimmicky plot elements feel a little unworthy of them, and Collins seems to struggle with reconciling this herself, as if she feels obligated to drop in a gratuitous little something here or there to remind herself that she's supposed to be writing a fluffy teen comedy. While I can't say I was completely satisfied here, there was at least enough that was right that I would definitely be interested in reading more from Yvonne Collins.
May have a bonus appeal for Chicagoans because of the local setting.
February 21, 2010
This is a light story about a group of students from a high school with a spirit (and graduation rate) problem. Colonel Dunfield High (a.k.a. Dumpfield High) has as many Cocoa grads as actual graduates. Cocoa grads are the students who drop out to work at the local chocolate factory, and Luisa's sort-of brother in law is one of them. Her sister Grace dropped out of school when she got pregnant, her mother works extra shifts to make ends meet, and Luisa herself has a part-time job as a waitress to help pay the bills and to afford little luxuries like a cell phone. They're not in dire straights, but they have to work hard to keep ahead.
When the local schools enter into a competition for literacy, Dunfield High's principal proposes a competition: girls versus boys in a race to raise the most money for literacy. Luisa is tapped to be an anonymous columnist, called Newshound, with a male counterpart called Scoop with whom she gets into a vicious battle of the sexes.
There's a plot about trying to win the contest and how hard it can be for kids from working-class families to stay in school, but really this book boils down to a relationship story. Luisa spends the book trying to find her ideal boyfriend, and while the reader feels reasonably sure the man of her dreams is probably Scoop, the authors do a remarkable job of keeping us in the dark about who Scoop is. (It was about 2/3 of the way through that I felt confident that I knew.) It's more fun than substantive, but an abundance of working-class families and true-to-life circumstances give this one a leg up on some other romantic comedies.
When the local schools enter into a competition for literacy, Dunfield High's principal proposes a competition: girls versus boys in a race to raise the most money for literacy. Luisa is tapped to be an anonymous columnist, called Newshound, with a male counterpart called Scoop with whom she gets into a vicious battle of the sexes.
There's a plot about trying to win the contest and how hard it can be for kids from working-class families to stay in school, but really this book boils down to a relationship story. Luisa spends the book trying to find her ideal boyfriend, and while the reader feels reasonably sure the man of her dreams is probably Scoop, the authors do a remarkable job of keeping us in the dark about who Scoop is. (It was about 2/3 of the way through that I felt confident that I knew.) It's more fun than substantive, but an abundance of working-class families and true-to-life circumstances give this one a leg up on some other romantic comedies.
March 27, 2009
Luisa Perez and her best friends have mastered the art of not participating in their high school, Dunfield aka “Dumpfield”’s extracurricular activities. That is, until sophomore year brings a literacy challenge to the city, girls against boys. The prize for which group raises the most money for literacy awareness? Extra weeks of winter break.
Lu is snagged to write an anonymous column about the fundraising effort, exchanging words with a male counterpart. The debate between “Scoop” and “Newshound” becomes heated and turns into a battle of the sexes, and their column gains more popularity as a result.
However, heated exchanges occur in other aspects of Lu’s life, too. Her family life is not the best, what with her overbearing older sister constantly talking her down, and having to fend off the raucous male factory workers at the diner where she works. But there are plenty of opportunities for possible romance—sometimes in the most unexpected of places…unless the effects of the literacy column destroy any chance that Lu has at love.
GIRL V. BOY was a pleasant, if predictable, read. I have trouble describing how I felt about it, and yet when I was reading it I couldn’t put it down. Lu and her friends and classmates are fun to read about. The ending was predictable, yes, but the beginning and middle were not as predictable, thus sparing me from reading something painfully boring. That being said, GIRL V. BOY was definitely an enjoyable read that will appeal to high school girls looking for a hearty dose of rapid-fire battle-of-the-sexes dialogue and a solid romance.
Lu is snagged to write an anonymous column about the fundraising effort, exchanging words with a male counterpart. The debate between “Scoop” and “Newshound” becomes heated and turns into a battle of the sexes, and their column gains more popularity as a result.
However, heated exchanges occur in other aspects of Lu’s life, too. Her family life is not the best, what with her overbearing older sister constantly talking her down, and having to fend off the raucous male factory workers at the diner where she works. But there are plenty of opportunities for possible romance—sometimes in the most unexpected of places…unless the effects of the literacy column destroy any chance that Lu has at love.
GIRL V. BOY was a pleasant, if predictable, read. I have trouble describing how I felt about it, and yet when I was reading it I couldn’t put it down. Lu and her friends and classmates are fun to read about. The ending was predictable, yes, but the beginning and middle were not as predictable, thus sparing me from reading something painfully boring. That being said, GIRL V. BOY was definitely an enjoyable read that will appeal to high school girls looking for a hearty dose of rapid-fire battle-of-the-sexes dialogue and a solid romance.
February 22, 2010
Don't always expect things. You might be wrong and might get yourself hurt.
Also, fight for what you believe in and always believe in yourself.
Also, fight for what you believe in and always believe in yourself.
July 24, 2010
Pretty exciting and totally helps future writers like moi!!! Basically it's about this intense battle of the sexes!!! :)
June 29, 2018
Review by P.R. : "I didn't like how the main character would go boy to boy. If you like romance and some mystery you'd probably like this book."
February 6, 2019
"Some girls glide through life, but unfortunately Lu Perez is not one of them. I thrash and flail and flounder."
Luisa Perez, the main character of Paper Cuts, is well-developed. She doesn't have school spirit, nor does she take part in extracurricular activities until she is assigned to cover her high school's fundraiser as an anonymous columnist. She has a great voice and I love her humour, her spunky retorts, her sarcasm and her outlook on life.
Luisa's family is made up of unique characters with stereotypical mannerisms. Grace, Luisa's sister, is a high school dropout, a mother and a badass and she and Luisa have a complex love-hate relationship. Paz is Grace's boyfriend who's tough on the outside, but soft on the inside and his overprotectiveness towards Luisa and their banter is hilarious. I also like the Paz and Grace side-plot.
The characters at Luisa's school are what one would expect from a stereotypical American high school. There's a lot of girl-on-girl hate and slut-shaming and Luisa does have a tendency to think that she's better than everyone else, but weirdly enough, it seems like Luisa admires Mariah, the mean girl, to some extent. I love Luisa's friends Rachel and Izzy. They are awesome and supportive and they have distinct personalities.
As Luisa attends more school events and puts herself out there, a bunch of guys enter her life and Luisa wonders whether they could be her male counterpart columnist, Scoop. The romance in Paper Cuts is quite cute and I wanted things to end well .
Paper Cuts has two of many of my reading bait words, journalism and battle of the sexes. While the plot is a little unrealistic, I like the back-and-forth between Newshound (Luisa's pseudonym) and Scoop. They have opposing views and they trade retorts, barbs and insults. This is my third read of Paper Cuts and knowing Scoop's identity made the column articles more fun to read. . However, it's difficult to believe that a school newspaper would publish column articles with so many innuendos.
Paper Cuts is full of cliches, and stereotypes, but it still has heartfelt and laugh-out-loud moments and it ended up putting me in a feel-good mood.
January 4, 2018
This book turned out to be a lot different than I expected. A lot of my assumptions stem from the cover, which somehow made me believe that the heroine was studious, privileged girl, and is pitted against a hunky athletic boy... and they eventually fall in love. I guess I should have re-read the blurb before making assumptions.
Anyway, this book ended up be a little more grittier than I expected, in ways that I could not have foreseen. For one, Luisa Perez is of mixed descent and raised by her single mother. She has an older sister, who is a high school dropout and unmarried, but in a serious relationship with the father of her child. She works at a fastfood restaurant to help support her family. Luisa attends a high school that is not known to pump out college ready students, and thus suggests that Luisa is from a socioeconomic status that is not often written in YA literature. It was fascinating, as an outsider, to view her world, where the potential for dropping out of school is quite serious and choosing boyfriends had to work an additional dimension - whether they have the potential to make something of themselves in the future.
To add to the drama, Luisa is recruited by her English teacher, to write a weekly column about a district wide literary fundraiser, that pits the boys verses the girls. She assumes the Newshound persona, and a male student assumes the Scoop persona, neither knowing who the other person is. Early on, the writers begin taking potshots against the opposite sex. It's obvious that Scoop has to be someone that Luisa becomes involved with, but we soon had 4 guys vying for her attention - so even we are confused about Scoop's identity. The mystery is quite well done, though, I still have trouble reconciling the end.
I had theories on Scoop,
The weakest part of the story, were the columns. Considering that they are the central component in this book, they were utterly juvenile and personal, and I could not imagine a teacher allowing such things to be published at a school platform - much less, how quickly the columns gained popularity at other schools. My enjoyment in this book decreased because of the columns.
Overall, this is an interesting read. The story is fun, in a stressful sort of way. I spent the entire time wanting to find out who Luisa ends up with (and who Scoop is), but the build up to it, was also really enjoyable.
Anyway, this book ended up be a little more grittier than I expected, in ways that I could not have foreseen. For one, Luisa Perez is of mixed descent and raised by her single mother. She has an older sister, who is a high school dropout and unmarried, but in a serious relationship with the father of her child. She works at a fastfood restaurant to help support her family. Luisa attends a high school that is not known to pump out college ready students, and thus suggests that Luisa is from a socioeconomic status that is not often written in YA literature. It was fascinating, as an outsider, to view her world, where the potential for dropping out of school is quite serious and choosing boyfriends had to work an additional dimension - whether they have the potential to make something of themselves in the future.
To add to the drama, Luisa is recruited by her English teacher, to write a weekly column about a district wide literary fundraiser, that pits the boys verses the girls. She assumes the Newshound persona, and a male student assumes the Scoop persona, neither knowing who the other person is. Early on, the writers begin taking potshots against the opposite sex. It's obvious that Scoop has to be someone that Luisa becomes involved with, but we soon had 4 guys vying for her attention - so even we are confused about Scoop's identity. The mystery is quite well done, though, I still have trouble reconciling the end.
I had theories on Scoop,
The weakest part of the story, were the columns. Considering that they are the central component in this book, they were utterly juvenile and personal, and I could not imagine a teacher allowing such things to be published at a school platform - much less, how quickly the columns gained popularity at other schools. My enjoyment in this book decreased because of the columns.
Overall, this is an interesting read. The story is fun, in a stressful sort of way. I spent the entire time wanting to find out who Luisa ends up with (and who Scoop is), but the build up to it, was also really enjoyable.
January 25, 2018
The book I read was Girl v Boy by Yvonne Collins.This book was about a girl named Luisa and a boy named Tyler and they got In a battle of who will win in the contest of the ceremony. When Luisa meets this boy and she found out that he was in this ceremony too. The boy was so mad that the girl was also in it too so they said that however wins will have to do something to the loser and the loser will have to do it no madder what. That is what the book is about most of the time.
Luisa and Tyler are nothing alike because Luisa is more like a straight person and Tyler is more come and always trying to be happy. They both like to see the sunset when it is down then up. One thing they were not alike was that the girl was cool and the boy was not just a normal kid. They both liked doing everything fun and not stupid. the girl likes to be straight at everything when I come to trying to beat someone and the goy is just being fun and not making it such a big deal.
The reason I liked this book is that I really like how the boy and girl said that they were going to do a contest how will win and they both made a deal but they both didn't know they like each other at all. One thing I didn't like is that it didn't have one picture that tells all the story about it or not fun details. When I saw the front of the book I thought it was going to be good but when I read it I really did like it as I was thinking it would of. One thing that would have been a better way if it was more expressive and not to plane, with pictures too. That was the book that I choose to read.
Luisa and Tyler are nothing alike because Luisa is more like a straight person and Tyler is more come and always trying to be happy. They both like to see the sunset when it is down then up. One thing they were not alike was that the girl was cool and the boy was not just a normal kid. They both liked doing everything fun and not stupid. the girl likes to be straight at everything when I come to trying to beat someone and the goy is just being fun and not making it such a big deal.
The reason I liked this book is that I really like how the boy and girl said that they were going to do a contest how will win and they both made a deal but they both didn't know they like each other at all. One thing I didn't like is that it didn't have one picture that tells all the story about it or not fun details. When I saw the front of the book I thought it was going to be good but when I read it I really did like it as I was thinking it would of. One thing that would have been a better way if it was more expressive and not to plane, with pictures too. That was the book that I choose to read.
March 15, 2021
🛑Major Spoilers Ahead🛑
I liked this novel right up until Joey dumped Luisa. And he took the coward's way out to do it. That was despicable, and I'm very SURE that any guy who behaves that way doesn't deserve another chance. Maybe they will grow up and mature and be better with someone else down the line (doubtful!!), but any guy who does this to YOU doesn't deserve another second of YOUR time. Whatever his reasons for walking away, a flaky guy is not a good investment, especially not for your heart.
I still give the overall plot 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, even though Joey acting milquetoast ruined the romance element of the plot for me. Luisa definitely made a huge mistake choosing anyone else over Tyler, the only guy who was consistently decent to her despite her inconsistent and rude behaviour. I guess she deserves her fate, stuck with a guy who will run away whenever the going gets tough. Like attracts like, afterall.
I liked this novel right up until Joey dumped Luisa. And he took the coward's way out to do it. That was despicable, and I'm very SURE that any guy who behaves that way doesn't deserve another chance. Maybe they will grow up and mature and be better with someone else down the line (doubtful!!), but any guy who does this to YOU doesn't deserve another second of YOUR time. Whatever his reasons for walking away, a flaky guy is not a good investment, especially not for your heart.
I still give the overall plot 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, even though Joey acting milquetoast ruined the romance element of the plot for me. Luisa definitely made a huge mistake choosing anyone else over Tyler, the only guy who was consistently decent to her despite her inconsistent and rude behaviour. I guess she deserves her fate, stuck with a guy who will run away whenever the going gets tough. Like attracts like, afterall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
This book was a roller coaster for sure!! I usually don’t read books that are set in high-school but I picked this up at a book sale in my town and decided to read it. I loved Luisa and her friends so much! I enjoyed reading the articles where newshound and scoop bantered their hearts out. I didn’t like how Luisa had so many situationships with different guys. I prefer reading about two key characters throughout the entire books I read. I also didn’t like the fact that Luisa forgave Joey and got back together with him!!! I hated reading scoops (aka Joey) articles so muchhh! He was downright sexist and put girls down in so many ways. I know he only wrote that way to keep readers interested but I still would have never gotten back together with him if I was her… I loved him when I just knew him as Joey though, he was so sweet. I still enjoyed this book, 3.5 stars!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2017
This book is about a highschooler named Luisa Perez. Luisa and her friends never ever do anything " extracurricular" so she is surprised when her teacher wants her to be an an anonymous writer for the school newspaper. Luisa accepts and starts to write. The only problem is she shares her column with another anonymous boy writer : scoop. She and scoop have very different options and they soon develop a hatred for each other. This gets in the way of Luisa's love life because she thinks that every boy she dates is scoop. I liked this book because the characters are very realistic and the book at times demonstrates the big difference of how boys and girls think. also the plot has many twists and turns and always leaves you guessing.
July 28, 2018
I didn’t have super high hopes for this book when I started. I wasn’t expecting anything amazing but I was still let down. It may be somebody else’s kind of book, but not mine.
For starters I didn’t like the main character. Her lack of school spirit and caring for anything except guys bothered me.
Secondly the book got super repetitive. I could easily predict the ending of every paragraph and got annoyed at her for making the same mistakes multiple times and not thinking she was doing anything wrong.
This book is merely about romance and repetitive ones at that. Would not recommend but I really hope you do enjoy it. Not my cup of tea but could be yours :)
For starters I didn’t like the main character. Her lack of school spirit and caring for anything except guys bothered me.
Secondly the book got super repetitive. I could easily predict the ending of every paragraph and got annoyed at her for making the same mistakes multiple times and not thinking she was doing anything wrong.
This book is merely about romance and repetitive ones at that. Would not recommend but I really hope you do enjoy it. Not my cup of tea but could be yours :)
September 13, 2020
I was ready to give this book a one star since it started out with the first pages painfully "boy crazy" but it settles down a little bit(however the entire book she is obsessed with being in a relationship).
Also one little part that really bothered me was when the creepy men (and brother in law) check out calendar full of skimpy highschoolers (I think specifically sophomores 15-16 years old) like pedos or something.
So yeah the book started out like crap but progressively got better and was slightly predictable in an entertaining way. I was honestly found this book really ridiculous but since I was laughing at it I had fun reading it
Also one little part that really bothered me was when the creepy men (and brother in law) check out calendar full of skimpy highschoolers (I think specifically sophomores 15-16 years old) like pedos or something.
So yeah the book started out like crap but progressively got better and was slightly predictable in an entertaining way. I was honestly found this book really ridiculous but since I was laughing at it I had fun reading it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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