HOW TO FIGHT A GIRL

by Thomas Rockwell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1987

Although it's been 14 years since Billy Forrester and his friends first appeared in How to Eat Fried Worms, this sequel begins just a few months later in their lives. Fans will be glad to see that they haven't changed a bit. Billy has traded in the minibike he won for eating those 15 worms and is now the proud owner of a trailbike--which he shows off on to such an extent that Alan, who lost the previous bet, vows revenge. He enlists his old ally Joe and Joe's sister Rena in a plot to embarrass Billy by making everyone think he's carrying on with Amy Miller, the prettiest girl in Mrs. Presser's class. But when Amy and Billy actually get acquainted, they discover, unwillingly, that they like each other. The others then plan to ""get"" both of them. After the plot backfires, their parents sort things out, more or less; but, as the story closes, Amy and Billy are still seesawing between the attractions of childhood and puberty. Rockwell has an excellent grasp of the language, the thinking, and the byzantine relationships of 11- to 13-year-olds. What he hasn't got is the memorable book of the previous story. Still, though this is bit long, has lapses in logic and trails off at the end, it is a punchily accurate study of boys and girls as they begin to put aside childish things.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 112

Publisher: Watts

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S