Crush: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Love

March 15, 2012
After previous misadventures in Liar, Liar and Flat Broke (both 2011), Kevin is back again, this time applying his quirky, inquiring mind to the world of love. Tina, aka the most beautiful girl he's ever seen, has stolen Kevin's heart, although she's blissfully oblivious to the effect she has on him. Every time he sees her, his tongue ties itself in knots. The situation isn't helped by the fact that hunky new student Cash appears to be joined firmly to her side. Rather than reveal his ardor outright, Kevin decides it's safer to first make a scientific study of just how love works by setting up romantic opportunities for his victims (otherwise known as study subjects). He starts by trying to create a candlelit dinner for his parents, although he accidentally causes a fire. He then enthusiastically moves on to trying to ingratiate his brother's hockey team with some female figure skaters and setting up a blind date for a neighbor. Each time he carefully observes the outcome. While Kevin gets in plenty of trouble, he seems ever so slightly more mature in this outing. It's hard not to be amused by his innocent antics; his droll narration as he observes surprising but unhelpful results to his experiments just adds to the fun. Another fast-paced romp with a well-intentioned, if severely misguided eighth grader. (Fiction. 9-12)

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April 1, 2012

Gr 5-8-Kevin Spencer, who first appeared in Liar, Liar and Flat Broke (both Random, 2011), has learned not to lie or to take financial advantage of people, so the wiser, more mature 14-year-old is sure that his quest for a girlfriend will prove fruitful. He has his eye on the most beautiful girl in the world, Tina Zabinski, and he knows he is perfect boyfriend material. He just has to let her see his amazing qualities, which proves difficult as he becomes tongue-tied and falls down whenever he sees her. Kevin approaches his quest scientifically, by observing "variations in romantic behavior." He observes his parents' seeming lack of romance and his many-times-married Auntie Buzz while honing his matchmaking skills by attempting to pair up his friends, siblings, and acquaintances. Naturally, his plans don't pan out as Kevin hopes, and his time may be running out when smooth-talking heartthrob Cash arrives at their school with his eyes on Tina. As always, Paulsen's voice is spot-on with likable characters and humorous situations. Both boys and girls will identify with the awkwardness of romantic crushes. This title is even funnier than the first two and stands alone. It will be love at first sight.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2012
Grades 5-8 Paulsen's latest recurring character, Kevin Spencer, practiced deceit in Liar, Liar and put on his Trump wig in Flat Broke (both 2011). Here he applies his obsessively analytical mind to the conundrum of love. He'd like to learn a little more about how humans go about this whole dating thing before approaching Tina, who he has had his eye on for a couple of books now. In a series of often funny and sometimes revealing escapades, he whips up a romantic dinner for his parents (disaster), asks a coven of his older sister's friends to assess his likability (horror), plays matchmaker for his friend's dumb cousin and an out-of-his-league neighbor (surprising success), and even organizes a speed-dating event at the school's fun fair (where he watches his rival score a handful of girls' numbers). Paulsen's wit and wisdom continue to cruise on all cylinders in this swift, enjoyable read for boys (and girls who'd like to understand boys trying to understand girls). HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Paulsen is among the most widely read writers for middle-schoolers, and readers who enjoyed Liar, Liar and Flat Broke will flock to this one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2012
Kevin Spencer has learned a few things in his first two books. He doesn't lie anymore (see Liar, Liar, rev. 3/11), and he doesn't manipulate his friends anymore (see Flat Broke, rev. 9/11). Well, maybe he manipulates just a bit. But he still loves Tina Zabinski, even though he's afraid to speak to her. In order to get up the courage to ask Tina out, Kevin decides to try the scientific method and examine love through a number of perspectives, including his parents, sister, friends, and acquaintances. But faint heart never won fair maiden, and Kevin's got to stop studying and start doing, which he finally accomplishes with aplomb. Kevin is still a little boneheaded and a little pompous, but his concerns are everyboy's, pre-adolescents and young teenagers alike. Paulsen continues his gift for employing chapter titles ("The Scientific Mind Studies Truth vs. Theories," for example) as riffs on Kevin's approach to growing up, but the one that rings the truest here is: "The Scientific Mind Is Sometimes Clueless." betty carter

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2012
Kevin Spencer (Liar, Liar; Flat Broke) loves Tina Zabinski. In order to get up the courage to ask her out, he decides to try the scientific method and examine love through a number of perspectives, including his parents, sister, friends, and acquaintances. Kevin is still a little boneheaded and a little pompous, but his concerns are everyboy's, pre-adolescents and young teenagers alike.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)