The Boy of My Dreams

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In Sheldon's (Tall, Thin, and Blonde) uninspired novel of teenage romance, starry-eyed girls still fall for god-like boys (who inevitably turn out to be jerks), blind to the fact they have more in common with a less charismatic, but more sincere "boy next door." Incurable romantic Michelle (Mike) Brindisi, a reptile fanatic, falls for dreamboat Bill Copeland, a college student who waits tables at a chic French caf. The boy-next-doorwell, actually in the next seat to Mike's in schoolis blues guitarist Bobby Bone. Readers may lose sympathy for the passion-filled heroine after a series of unlikely coincidences brings her into the arms of Bill and causes her to promptly drop her friends. Once hormones have settled, Mike realizes her mistake. A cute ending finds Mike crashing her grocery cart into the "real" boy of her dreams, but strained narrative diminishes the book's authenticity. Mike, whose second date comes at age 16, appears too nave for her age. Other characters (Mike's single, liberated plumber mother, for example) are self-consciously modern or off-beat. Although these themes remain relevant for contemporary teens, most will have already heard what this book has to say. Ages 11-15. (Aug.)

Children's Literature - Sue Reichard

Sixteen-year-old Michelle, whose friends call her Mike, and best friend Hope while away their summer waiting and wishing for Mr. Right. They aren't afraid to share their thoughts with Bone, who has been their best "boy" friend since childhood. They are a loyal threesome who enjoy everything together until Mike meets Bill. Young teens will enjoy this story about friendship, loyalty and love.

VOYA - Cindy Lombardo

Sixteen-year-old Michelle "Mike" Brindisi believes wholeheartedly in romantic destiny. Searching for love in all the wrong places, Mike's obsession with finding Mr. Right leads her to ignore her old friends Hope and Bone, as she tries to transform herself into Ms. Right for the college boy she meets while picking up a takeout dinner. Mike's obsession with Bill leads her to ignore Bone's interest in her, and she is surprised and hurt when Bone transfers his affections to Hope. Wrapped up in her daydreams about Bill, Mike also neglects her pet tortoise Leonardo, with near-fatal results. An invitation to a day of sailing forces Mike to choose between remaining true to herself and her old friends or becoming "Bill's girl." Sheldon's writing is frothy and fun to read, but it also deals realistically with an issue many young girls will face sooner or later. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, Broad general YA appeal, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8 and Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9).

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8This novel about a girl's obsession with finding and falling in love with the one and only perfect guy is predictable, clichd, and delightful. Sixteen-year old Mike (Michelle) Brindisi thinks college-boy Bill is the man of her dreams. She is so mesmerized by him that she is unaware of her mother's growing romance with John. Mike also ignores her old friends, Hope and Bone, the latter of whom she has made a pact with to marry if they are still single by the time they are 30. Even though her mother suggests that she write her term paper on a comparison of Romeo and Juliet (old-fashioned love at first sight) with When Harry Met Sally (best friends falling in love), Mike misses Bone's interest in her, and he moves on to Hope. When her preoccupation with her boyfriend causes her to neglect her pet tortoise and he nearly dies, Mike begins to see love and friendship more clearly. Sheldon steeps her story in the popular culture of music and movies in a witty way that young readers will enjoy. The title of each chapter is appropriately the title of a golden oldie: "Addicted to Love," "This Magic Moment," "Love Hurts." The ending, when Mike claims once again to have found the boy of her dreams, is sure to bring a smile. A lighthearted and quick read, with a meaningful message about love and friendship.Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME