Monday, March 5, 2012

The Edumacation of Jay Baker by Jay Clark

Clark, Jay The Edumacation of Jay Baker, 288 pgs. Henry Holt and Co, 2012. $12.40. (Language-PG13 –Creative dirty words mostly, Violence-G; Sexual Content-PG13)
Jay Baker is a high school freshman who is brainy, wordy, and has a nasty case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He is mostly in love with his best friend, Cameo. Everything gets complicated when trouble between his parents causes some drama. Then everything gets complicated with Cameo. Then there is the exotic Caroline and that gets complicated. Will Jay ever get his life straitened out?
This book is like a giant explosion of pop culture references. The bottom line is that its almost un-decipherable unless you are a true product of pop culture from the 1980’s going forward. These superfluous references are used in every way –from creative word combinations to being put to work as verbs. Although I was pathetically proud to be privy to this secret language, it was over the top, to the point of being downright annoying. Also, maybe I am just getting tired of the cliché of the geeky guy having the hot girls lining up, which is also popular in the movie industry right now. Teens will either love or hate this book, I am thinking more will lean towards the latter.
HS – OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

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