Measuring Up

by G.J. Stroud

Jonah’s life has been like riding the perfect wave—the wonderfully simple routine of school, partying, and surfing with his friends. With the stress of his senior year looming, he realizes all of that is about to change. Rattled by the fear that he is destined to live in the shadow of his legendary older brother, Link, Jonah’s self-confidence begins to waver, along with his mission to lose his virginity before turning 18. Just when he has decided things couldn't get any more complicated, Link drops a bombshell on his unsuspecting family. Despite these overwhelming transitions, Jonah soon discovers that life has a funny way of sorting out the big issues from the small, and that the answers he’s looking for may be right in front of him. Frank and funny, this coming-of-age novel is a definitive tale of family, friendship, and the pressures of adolescence.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

G.J. (Gabrielle) Stroud is a primary school teacher who loves reading and writing fiction. She has been awarded two residencies at Varuna Writers’ House and contributes a regular column for her local paper. Measuring Up is her first YA novel. Gabbie lives by the sea with her baby Olivia, her husband Matthew and her loyal dog, Shirley.

Reviews

[Gabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

2024 REVIEW UPDATE: Editing this review to remove some of the inappropriate language that I shared that was mentioned in the novel. But also … why did this book include so many homophobic slurs? Even though it’s over a decade old - how did this get published as a YA book with that amount of slurs?

2013 REVIEW IN SPOILER BOX
*WARNING: There may be spoilers in this review, but big ones will be marked.*

Favourite Character: Sam or Merrin

I must say, whenever I saw this book sitting on my shelf, I would get excited. I was really looking forward to reading it and now that I have...well, you can tell by the rating.

For starters, Jonah was a whiney kid who only cared about sex and what others thought about him. And I'm a teen, and I admit, that DOES happen, but not EVERY single second of the day! AND I'm from Australia so you can't say "But that might only be Australian kids" and we DO NOT act like that. Okay, I also have to admit I’m not a guy, but I’m pretty sure the guys I know aren't THAT whiney and they certainly don't talk like that.
Dan was probably best out of the three (straight) guys. Ferret just turned Feral by the end and was just an idiot.
Mel, i felt had too much on her plate (spoiler alert: and it was really sad that her mum died :( I didn't feel that needed to happen. Because all that DID happen was that it made it a bad ending. Mel was depressed and wanted sex from Jonah to feel "Alive" again. Seriously, that's what the moral to the story is? I just didn't feel it.)

SPOILERS ABOUT LINK BELOW, but if you've read the other reviews, I’m sure you already knew. I did, because of the damn spoilers:
And quoting from the blurb:

"Just when he has decided things couldn't get any more complicated, Link drops a bombshell on his unsuspecting family."

It makes it sound like he killed someone or dropped out of school (oh, yeah, he did)but...being gay? Seriously worst things could happen. And it's not like he did anything wrong. I didn't like Jonah’s attitude about it either, I mean...that is just wrong. It is his brother and it will ALWAYS be his brother. He is the same person he was when he was born. HE IS THE SAME.

I was also reading Jake at the same time as this (And Eragon, all books with guy POV) and I’ll admit I got a bit confused because the characters were very similar (But Jake is WAY better than Jonah...like a better version.)

So, yeah, finished it! (Maybe too high expectations?)

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know....it seemed like a lot of problems for one kid. I mean, he's not yet 18. He's worried about losing his virginity - or really how quickly he can get to losing it. His best friend is on drugs. His brother has just come out as gay. His girlfriend's mother is dying of cancer. He has pressure at home from his police seargent dad. How much can one kid handle? But, for an overloaded issues book, it was pretty engaging.....I do feel for the kid though!

[Perri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, i thought it was really funny and one of the most interesting books i have read. i felt like i could connect with some of the characters because it is a fairly modern book with teenage character. It is about a boy named Jonah, who is starting year 12. He has trouble with balancing school, family, surfing and friends.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a teenage novel that would connect with teens - surfing, year 12, girlfriend/boyfriend relationships, being gay - it really had it all. The main character is in year 12 - his brother has told him he is gay, he really wants to have sex, his friends are into drugs. Really well written.

[Trisha]

I read this when I should have been writing my essay. It was a great diversion. It wasn't too long. It's a book that attempts to portray a realistic YA male point of view, and I think the (female) author does an excellent job.

[BCPL Youth Services Librarian]

Click to see book in BCPL's online catalog

[Mackduff dw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yur

[Mackenzie Dw]

classic

[John Esh Esh Dw Lad trains]

fkn eshayz book ay

[G J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well... I wrote this book so I think it's great! Thanks to all those who've given it such great reviews! And for those who didn't love it - that's cool too.

[Fiona Miller-Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Aussie YA.

[Jordan Trew · Rating 1 out of 5]

How do I read on here help