Boyology <small> by Sarah O'Leary Burningham </small>

Official Description from Amazon::: A crash course in understanding boys, Boyology delves into the many mysteries of teen guys, dissecting flirting tactics, offering dating suggestions, and providing tips on forming solid friendships. It's an up-close-and-personal look at boys in their natural habitats, with analyses by teen girls and insight from the boys.

Boyology is smart and funny book that deals with most of the early questions girls in their early teen years will have about boys. And given that, I probably ought to explain that I'm an old married lady, and that I requested "Boyology" from Amazon's Vine Early Reviewer program because I have a 9 y.o. daughter and I am already freaking out, even at this early date, about the whole dating scene. So that's why I read it, and that what drives my perspective in this review.

Now as for my parental take, I thought Sarah Burningham did a fantastic job keeping the tone light, while at the same time providing savvy advice. Part of the way she did that was to include quotes from both boy and girl teens, as well as her husband. That way the perspective wasn't just from girls and women, but guys too.

I'll give you a list of Chapter headings shortly, but let me tell you about some of the topics Sarah Covers. First off she covers some basics, like the fact that most boys don't want people to disrepect their friends, and that it's in their nature not to see the defects in you that you see yourself. She then goes on to do something I don't particular like, and that is to put boys in categories, like "The Hip-Hopper" or the "The Tech-tilian". I'm just not into cubby-holing people. But despite that fact, I can't really complain, because this approach leads ultimately to the book's suggesting that girls date a variety of boys, in a sort of process of elimination, and then try to figure out what traits they ultimately want in a companion... hopefully way on down the line.

After that, there's quite a bit of talk about the art of flirting. Sarah also discusses dating, types of dates, date suggestions, and ultimately styles of kissing. From there, there is talk about melding the boy into your life: with your friends, your parents, his parents, etc.

Finally, there's sections about breaking up, recovery, and what to do with abusive situations, and potentially dangerous situations.

Chapters Covered

B-O-Y Basics
What Breed is Your Boyfriend
I You: When You're Head-Over-Heels in Like
The Firsts of First Dates: And the Rest of the Dating Game
The Heart of the Matter: Love and Relationships
You Wear the Pants: Setting Your Boundaries
Outside Forces: Friends, Parents and Other FActors
Boy Friend vs. Boyfriend
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Getting Back in the Game

Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Credits
Index

Talking Points :::
Boyology takes a smart but calculatingly light approach to the subject of relationships. It's fun! The author covers a wide variety of topics; everything from flirting to drawing boundaries, to breaking up.

I liked that Sarah worked hard to differentiate the fact that at that age boys have a decidedly different perspective on relationships than girls. I also like that her basic approach was 'conservative'. (They get enough of the other sort of message from the media.)

Because the book did not delve into the topic of 'advanced physical relationships' in any detail, I would have to say that the target audience is primarily middle school aged children; though certainly there is something for older teens to learn as well.

I thought the section about setting boundaries was particularly useful, as was the intelligent conversation about how it is abnormal for a boy or man to try to dominate you. Particularly brilliant was her approach to younger girls being asked out by older guys. In fact, I don't believe I've ever heard a more appropriate and clever analogy.

The format was lively, with drawings, tests, and conversation boxes.

Overall, a very good book for the right audience. Recommend this one for mom's and dad's as a conversation starter.

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs