Boy Proof opens with Egg. Victoria Jurgen demands everyone address her as Egg. Egg is the lead female character in Victoria’s favorite science-fiction movie, Terminal Earth. Victoria constantly quotes the character and dresses like her. Science-fiction, photography and the creation of special-effects monsters are Victoria’s passions. People are not an interest of Victoria’s, especially those of the male gender.

Victoria a.k.a. Egg shaves her head and wears several pairs of earrings in her ears. Baggy clothes hide her body’s curves. She considers herself boy proof. At Boy Proof’s start, Egg is at war with her mother. She isolates herself from everyone. Egg eats alone at school by choice. Time spent with her father is mainly done in silence.

A new student, Max Carter, changes her outlook on the world. He like she has similar interests in the visual arts, science-fiction and comic books. He is intelligent, giving her competition for being the class valedictorian. Max’s drawings compete artistically with her photographs. Egg declares war on Max and rebuffs his friendship.

Egg goes through a transformation by Boy Proof’s end. She discovers isolation is not the way to live. Victoria discovers she is on a planet with others. She can contribute things to the world. In addition, the others can share things with her. Life and friendship are good things.

Cecil Castellucci writes a young adult book(ages 12-16) that captures the life of a high school geek. She shows life does not have to be painful when not a member of the in crowd. Life is what you make it. Other people share similar past times. Join these people and enjoy life.

Boy Proof is a good book for the young adult reader. Many of these readers are trying to find a place for themselves. Castellucci shows the world does not end with a road block and detour. Adjust and go with the flow!

Cecil Castellucci’s characters are interesting. Victoria’s divorced parents are flawed people, but who are not? The mother is an aging actress and not enjoying the fact. The father creates monsters for the motion picture industry. He relates more to them than his daughter. Castellucci captures the world of motion pictire science-fiction monster design. Even readers unfamiliar with the motion picture business will enjoy the subplot. Of course, Los Angeles, California(Hollywood) is the locale of Boy Proof.



The Queen of Cool is by Cecil Castellucci, too. Libby Brim learns there is more to life besides shopping, partying and making fun of others. Los Angeles, California is the setting again.



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