Search - Boys Against Girls (Sweet Valley Twins)

ISBN 0553156667 - I really like the anti-sexism message of Boys Against Girls. Although I find the writing average, I thought that message could lift the book to above average. The way the girls handle the situation is not something I'd recommend in the real world, for sixth graders, but the book isn't written for me. For the target audience, the message is an important one and that does, indeed, make the book just that little bit better.

Elizabeth, Jessica and the rest of the girls in their homeroom are thrilled to finally be getting a permanent teacher, after several substitutes that haven't made a good impression. When they meet Mr. Davis, they begin to realize their happiness was premature. Mr. Davis, a teacher with a history in all-boys' schools, seems to think the girls are there to care-take and giggle and he doles out the good classroom jobs the way he doles out his respect for his students: none for the girls. Worse, the boys have started to pick up this attitude. The girls band together to prove to their teacher that he's wrong and they've got rights - and skills!

The things the girls do to try to teach Mr. Davis - and the boys - that they deserve equal treatment are, at times, over the line. The only excuse for their behavior is set up in the very beginning, when the Wakefield parents make clear that they don't want to hear any more complaining about teachers. Still, the other eight girls have parents, as well, and you'd think one of them would have taken action. If you can put aside reality, and don't think your daughter will suddenly decide to revolt by following the examples of the twins and their friends, it's worth reading. Why not let your children have a prejudice exposed as ridiculous? It can only be a good thing!

- AnnaLovesBooks