What's That Smell? Oh, It's Me: 50 Mortifying Situations And How to Deal - Softcover

Gr. 7-12. This self-help book will startle readers expecting the usual advice on teen growing pains. The introduction states plainly, "No doubt about it, being a teen can really suck the big one sometimes. Good thing you've got this book to help ease the suckage." An intriguing layout, clever heads, and a tone tinged with both sympathy and sarcasm make this a read-aloud-with-friends title, which is sure to be popular even among teens who usually abhor self-help books. Using humor and refreshing candor, Shaw addresses a wide variety of problems--from awkward social situations (Oops! The toilet won't flush) and physical concerns (ways to camouflage an erection) to legal issues (what to do if caught shoplifting). The sketchy, amateurish graphics add little, but the content is so much fun no one will notice. Buy two copies, as this will fly off the shelves. Debbie Carton
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Grade 8 Up-Writing in a chummy, contemporary style that an older sibling might use, Shaw gives advice for dealing with 50 mortifying events that teens might face. From what to do if you send a private e-mail out to everyone in your address book to self-intimacy interrupted to handling unwanted attention and everything in between, the author offers reassurance. Neither the situations nor the advice is new, but the material is presented in a way that readers will appreciate. While some of the suggestions may not please adults, the author does adopt a respectful stance where parents are concerned. Teens will get a chuckle out of many of these scenarios, but will find themselves memorizing passages "just in case."-Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA
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