Boys Will Be

Rating:
Summary: Awful.
Review: Believe me, one star is generous.

I do not understand how a man, Bruce Brooks, who won a Newberry Award (Twice, even!) could have written this book. I checked reviews for his other books, and they were mostly glowing. After reading this train-wreck, I have no desire to explore this author 's other works.

Why did I pick this book up? I was hoping that Brooks knew what he was talking about. I'm young, sure, but kids change. I was looking to brush up on some in-sight. I was a boy in the 80's; this was written in the 90's. I thought it would be a good run down on how times changed through the eyes of a father, not a psychologist who uses big words.

Train-wreck. I'll repeat it. The essays contradict each other, especially the final two: Authur Ashe and Respect. "Authur Ashe" tells us that boys are not men and men are not boys. "Respect" tells us that boys are men and men are boys. Huh? Can't be both, buddy.

"Authur Ashe" falls flat. Brooks's eulogy to the man does not belong in a book about boys. To further stupify the book, he says boys veiw Magic Johnson as a "boy" playing a sport, but Authur Ashe is a "man" playing a sport. Of course kids will think this. Brooks leaves out important details that factor into this theory. Magic plays basketball, a sport boys play widely and can get a handle on. Ashe plays tennis. Many boys who grew up in the 90's would not even know who Authur Ashe is! Come on, Bruce. you won a Newberry!

To ruin this book even more, Brooks's included chapter that has nothing to do with raising boys: Eight Reasons Why Ice Hockey Kicks Football's Tutu. As I sit back trying to better the next generation of men, I'm sure I'll be quoting that chapter.

Wait. I don't think I will.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I expected this book to be much better than it was. Brooks tries to be too "cool" while writing this book, and the reader often struggles just to identify who his audience is, whether it be adolescant boys or grown fathers. The chapter on bullies was highly ridiculous. I've seen plenty of bullies in my day that would love to fight rather than just ruffle someone's feathers. Overall, the book is entertaining but is surely not one of those books you can't put down before finishing.