boytoy.jpgI read this book with my young adult book club, and I was surprised that it got mixed reviews. Some people thought it described the sexual abuse between the twelve-year-old male protagonist and his teacher in too much detail. One woman in particular thought Lyga wrote the story as a way to live out a childhood fantasy, rather than tackle a serious topic. She disliked the fact that the main character seemed to enjoy the abuse. To me, this was integral to the story.

The value in this book is that it sheds light on a little understood phenomenon, i.e. when adult females abuse male adolescents. I thought the main character’s reactions were appropriate for someone his age. Lyga shows how his physical sensations conflict with his emotional turmoil.

Someone else at book club brought up the issue of audience. We’re all librarians, or former librarians, so they immediately started thinking about whom they would recommend this book to. Almost everyone agreed that they would feel weird recommending the book to teens. I guess I sort of agree. I mean, it is kind of awkward recommending a book about sexual abuse to teens or adults. Are they going to assume that I think they’ve been sexually abused if I recommend the book? Will they think I like them, don’t like, or will they just think I’m strange? It’s a complicated issue.

Still, these concerns aside, I liked the book. The main character is believable, the story fairly fast-paced and the topic important. I would definitely recommend this book to teen librarians…and maybe even a few teens.

DweebMeter: 3.5/5

Barry Lyga’s Website

Another Librarian’s Opinion on Boy Toy