Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee

Bobby vs. Girls by Lisa Yee


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book may appeal to my fifth grade students for the mere fact that it is a story where the boys go up against the girls, which always seems to be popular. But the fact that Bobby, the main character, and his friends are only in the fourth grade may turn off some of my fifth grade students who seem to think they are so far away from fourth grade. (Even though they are not.) The story itself though is perfect for a third or fourth grade student.

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Great Interview

Okay, I am starting to forget my whole purpose for blogging, but there is so much out there to look at. Thank you Miss Erin for pointing out this interesting interview with the lovely Lisa Yee. I think she is so fun! This interview is no exception.
Lisa Yee presented by Inkygirl: Daily Diversions for Writers.

Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time by Lisa Yee

I needed to read Standford Wong Flunks Big Time by Lisa Yee to be caught up on all things Yee related, and I am glad I did. I am still amazed at how seamlessly Yee can integrate the three books of this series together. This book is no exception.
As with So Totally Emily Ebers, we find ourselves introduced to a friend of Millicent Min from Millicent Min Girl Genius. This time the character is a boy, Standford Wong. Stanford is being tutored by Millicent to pass his English class. He is also after Emily trying to make a romantic connection.
Although the book is packed with things for boys: sports (basketball), girl troubles, friends, a dislike of all school related topics, and a relationship with a father that is less than satisfying; I know girls will get into the story as well. At some points I even felt girls may enjoy it more than boys. None the less, I would not hesitate to introduce a boy to the world of Stanford Wong. The book is fast paced, with short increments, and also hilarious. There are some parts which will really touch your soul. I found myself crying at Stanford's attempts to repair his relationship with his father. There is so much for a young boy to relate to in this story. And maybe a lot for a young boy to learn from this story. I really have a feeling there are some questions Standford has that could be answered for many of my students. It would also give girls a great view into a teenage boy's mind. (Which, let's face it, has always been a great mystery.)

So Totally Emily Ebers by Lisa Yee

I really stretched my brain while reading So Totally Emily Ebers by Lisa Yee. Not because the plot was difficult or anything like that, but I was had to think back to when I read Yee's first book Millicent Min Girl Genius. It is absolutely amazing the way Yee has written three books (The other being Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time) in tandem the way she has.
I read the first book back in 2003 so it was kind of a stretch to think back and try to remember the character of Emily Ebers, the main character in this book. But don't get me wrong... you do not HAVE to read these books in order. No, No, No... In fact Lisa Yee herself says the books "can be read in any order, any day of the week, and at any time, except when you're sleeping." However, I thought is was super fun to compare. I haven't even read the second book, but I will now.
If you read any of the books you know the characters and this book is about Millicent's "best friend" Emily Ebers. Emily is having a hard time adjusting to divorce, her move across country with her mother, making friends, fitting in, and all those other teenage woes. The book is written in the form of diary type entries she is actually addressing to her father. She has decided to give the whole notebook to him when she is done so he can see how her summer was while he was off touring with his band. (Something I would have never done at 12 years old, or 13-31 years old for that matter)
One thing that was a little weird for me, and maybe I am being critical and need to suspend my mind for a minute and get into book world... but there were modern references to things such as a Prius car. The thing that kept bugging me was I kept saying in my head "Was that around in 2003?" Just because the two stories were suppose to be tandem and a few things referenced, I couldn't think back to see if they could have possibly been in the first book. (Does that even make since?) (Okay, I just looked up Prius, it came out in 1997, but I really didn't hear much about it around here until at least the last couple years)
I highly recommend this book, especially if you have read the other two, but not only if you have read the other two. --You don't have to read the other two, but you will want to!