Oy, Joy

by Lucy Frank

Although her ailing uncle creates problems for her whole family when he moves in with them, Joy survives his bungling attempts at matchmaking even as she plays the game herself.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Humor, Adult, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Middle Grade

277 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This YA book was incredibly enjoyable. Though Joy is a high school freshman, I found that I could easily relate to her character, either through memory of being that age, to even the age I am now. I also found understanding with the parents and her old uncle Max. The story is both charming and down-to-earth. It was laugh out loud funny at times, and poignant at others. I loved this book and will look to reading others by this author.

[Leanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recently, I read Oy, Joy by Lucy Frank. It was about a girl named Joy who takes a match quiz to try to get a boyfriend, who is also trying to deal with the difficulties of her great-uncle moving in with her family. I did not enjoy this book very much because it was just boring in my opinion. There wasn't really much of a plot to me; nothing where I thought to myself: "I can't wait to read what happens next.".
As stated before, Oy, Joy was not an exciting read. There were a lot of events that just seemed to repeat themselves. For instance, Joy trying to set her uncle Max up with his friend Rose seemed to happen way too many times; it became very redundant and did not seem to add any depth to the story after a while. Another thing I didn't enjoy about this story is the lack of character development. For the most part, everybody remained the same: Uncle Max was still his stubborn self, the parents still didn't enjoy having Uncle Max around, etc. The characters really did not grow at all. One thing I did enjoy though was the younger Max calling people in a romantic relationship "deranged". I thought it showed a lot about his personality, how he was afraid of relationships and commitment after his last relationship ended badly. It also added some well needed humor to this dull story. All in all, I did not care for this book.
Although I personally did not enjoy this book, I think that people who are just looking for a simple read would enjoy this. Since I enjoy books with lots of events and plot twists, I did not find this to be enjoyable. All in all, I would not read Oy, Joy again.

[Jisoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl name Joy and she and her best friend Maple did a Match Quiz, a test that pairs up members but Joy was too shy to call any of the matches on her list. And what make it worse, Maple finds her match with the first phone call and now doesn't care about Joy and the two of them fight. And also Joy's great uncle Max comes and lives with Joy's family. After some time Joy decides to match uncle Max with Rose Naussbaum, a widow who lives in Uncle Max's building.Then Joy meets a boy in her school and they start to like each other and then Joy makes up with Maple, and uncle Max travels with Rose for a week.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This YA book was incredibly enjoyable. Though Joy is a high school freshman, I found that I could easily relate to her character, either through memory of being that age, to even the age I am now. I also found understanding with the parents and her old uncle Max. The story is both charming and down-to-earth. It was laugh out loud funny at times, and poignant at others. I loved this book and will look to reading others by this author.

[Maddie Colbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not really like this book. The main character Joy is struggling feeling like she is a little bit left out and her great uncle Max is moving in with her and her family. He thinks it is a good idea to help out. Through out the book he is trying to get her a bpyfriend but none of them seem to like her. And Joy's best friend, Mabel, has a new boyfriend and never wants to hang out with Joy anymore. In the end of the book Mablel and Joy are back to carpooling together and their relationship is getting back together. And as a relief her uncle Max is moving out of their house to one of the houses close by. So in the end things end up fine but the book was boring and kind of repetative.

[Alisa Henrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book on a free table in the middle school where I work. I love the bright colors of the cover and the title was very catchy to me. I really liked it and I’m glad that I picked it up! Joy goes through all of those issues teenagers face – wanting to fit in, making sure you’re dressed right, boys, friends, family… We all have been there, for some of us it’s been longer than others, but we have all faced at least one of those things that as a teenager seems so important but as an adult do not. It was a heartwarming little story with characters, like Uncle Max, that you grew to love throughout the tale! Find this one and read it!!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I found this story a little slow. Antics with an old man, a dog, pet mice? Not really my thing.

I did very much like Joy's voice, and her relationships with all the characters, including her best friend Mabel who starts dating Wade and dons a trench coat and shaves her head as he has done. The story picks up in the last third when Joy and Max become friends. I enjoyed the end quite a bit, and with the characters watching the inflating of the Thanksgiving Day parade balloons in a pivotal scene, November is the perfect time to read this book.

[Mary Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was around Joy's age (coincidentally, also my name) when I read the novel, so it resonated with me. Teenage bouts of confusion and longing for romance could be touched upon in this novel. Near the end, I felt that I grew with Joy, learning to appreciate not only relationships of romance but also those of family and friends.

[Jordan Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite uncomplicated YA fall book. Love the simple multigenerational relationships and the realistic friendship drifts/boomerangs that happen in HS.
The parents bug me and have no character arc, but it’s from the perspective of a high schooler, so that makes sense!
I first read this in 2004 and 20 years later it still has a special place in my heart.

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Jaci Schneider · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this young adult novel. It was sweet and realistic. It made me think of the way I went about things when I was younger. The main character's experience is much different and it allowed me to see what it would be like to be young in this day and age. I found the story line entertaining but not engrossing. It was a light read and I recommend it to anybody, young or old who could use a light read.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was home sick for a few days last week, and on the first day, I read four books in a row. This was the first that I read, and I could relate to it so much. From the annoying younger brother, to the friend issues, to the elderly relatives, I could make so many comparisons between Joy's life and mine. That was probably why I liked the book so much. I just din't really like that the main character, Joy, thought that she needed to get a boyfriend so much. It was her freshman year; live a little.

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I found this book in an old box in some old friends basement, and have read it like 20 times. It is really intriguing and the story of adolescent struggle in NY is a common thread, but the author really managed to keep this story more than common.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joy is a heartfelt girl. Joy lives in a cramped apartment with her mom, dad, and brother Nathan. Joy has to deal with her stubborn Uncle Max while dealing with her love life, and her friendships. How does She keep it all together!

[Kriti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read if you just want to chill (or get a break from Jodi Picoult's great but rather depressing books).

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. More than Joy's romantic struggles, I enjoyed the story of Uncle Max and his struggle to regain independence after a stroke.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this book because, it shows, that no matter what's going on in the background, you canalways find love, and your friends are right there to help you with anything!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really have anything to say about this book except that it's very cute! It's probably intended for people a bit younger than me, but oh well.

[Sharebear · Rating 5 out of 5]

=]

[jb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most pointless books in the history of the world.

But that's why I like it. Seriously, this book was a work of pure genious! I'd reccomend it to anyone who really cares.

[Tia Harrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my review on my blog

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what my High School graduation was 21yrs ago, good book is a good book! I was smiling at the end. And isn't that what we want from every story?

[Bridget Mcloughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

really cool book. really AWESOME. It was such a page turner

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could explain why I've read this book several dozen times. I simply can't. My favorite set of New Yorkers, Joy, Maple, and Max and Max are an absolute delight to delve into again and again.

[Nicole Schlenker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very engaging story about a young girl and her uncle Max.

[Paula Bezark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dece for YA fiction

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the young end of young adult.

[Leonore]

made me want to see the macys balloons being inflated