Review: "How Not To Try to Win Over A Girlfriend"
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 31, 2013
This is a very funny young adult novel, more perhaps for ages 10-12.  This novel is simply written and just the right length for a youngster to read.  I'm not a youngster, and I found it hilarious as Bill Cantrell, who always does the correct things in his life, feels he needs to make himself different to get the girl he sighs over.  As Billy boards the morning school bus and sits with his friend Kevin, he seriously tells him, "Kevin, I'm gonna do it today!"  He is determined to impress the girl, Veronica Labelle, that he was not a nerd, but the school's baddest dude! But right now, Veronica likes Lester Futz ... the boogeyman of Billy's nightmares.  Lester has 'attitude' and Billy's goal is to have a lot more 'tude to draw Veronica away from Lester.  Billy is going to be the No. 1, Tower of Power!  He's going to be a worst dude than Lester, but on many attempts, he fails:  in the bathroom coup, the library heist, and he even fails explaining to Veronica that he has another side to him rather than being just a good student.  No matter how hard he tries to be bad, he always winds up the good boy.  How is he ever going to win over Veronica?  Will she be worth the win? This is a really funny story to read, very amusing, and well written.  The dialog is that of young adults, talking in ways that youngsters do these days. Preteens, boys and girls, will enjoy this read.  The artwork is stellar by Wallace Sellars and Maureen Dunlap.  I know this team had great fun in creating this story, which also has a strong message for youngsters who think acting like someone else can make them better.  Highly recommend.