Boys' favorite authors write about being boys.Signed by Erik P. Kraft, Timothy B. Ering, Tony DiTerlizzi, Jon Scieszka, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka ( )

To be fair, I'm not the target audience. But it did read more like an RSS feed or whatever. Oh well; I did manage to get some recommendations (as if I need more). ( )

This collection of short pieces about being a “guy” written by children’s and YA writers such as Scieszka himself, Mo Willems, Neil Gaiman, and about 784 others has some charm and some funny bits but somehow rings mostly false. The quintessential “guy” these men seem to be aiming for does not exist except in pop culture and even then in pop culture from at least 30 years ago. (Many of the writers are of older generations, but even the younger guys write as if they grew up in an era lost in the mists of time.) The gross-out stuff about flatulence and bowel difficulties and the stuff about guys wanting to try stupid physical stunts are particularly inapposite to the realities of today. Today’s guys (or at least the American ones) tend to be quite fastidious about their cloacal activities and if anything are quite squeamish about physical risk. They are much more interested in sex than anything else. Where did that stereotype go?

I was excited to read this because of Jon Scieszka, but I was a little disappointed. The stories were all based on older men from when they were boys and the stories and interests were a little outdated. Anthology of stories, illustrations and photos by and about famous authors, or guys in general. ( )

If you are younger than 6th grade, this book isn't for you. It might be nice to read it with a parent. It's a great resource to find authors that you might like to read. Lots of choices. An excerpt from various authors/illustrators. As a mom of 2 boys, I will use it as a resource for years to come. ( )