The Boys' Book: How to Be the Best at Everything
Grade 4–7—Both of these titles are filled with fun tidbits and suggestions for "beating the rest" at myriad interesting things. They are certain to be popular with readers who have plenty of free time and an adventurous spirit. Examples of more than 150 combined skills ranging from benign (making bubble bath) to outrageous (ripping a phone book in half) to outrageously exaggerated (how to survive in outer space/how to cope if zombies attack). The titles open with disclaimers disavowing any responsibility for accidents or injuries incurred from acting on the information contained within—these texts must be used with heavy doses of common sense. The boys' text contains the more outlandish tips—"Fight off a crocodile." "Escape quicksand." InGirls, the suggestions are more sedentary: "Give yourself a perfect manicure." "Knit with your fingers." "Grow a crystal." But if taken in the spirit of fun, many readers will enjoy the experiences while those with an underdeveloped sense of irony might be better off skipping certain entries.—Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, AtlantaCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.