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Crush: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Love
by
Gary Paulsen
Readers met the comical Kevin in Liar, Liar and Flat Broke. Kevin gets serious about Tina Zabinski, the Most Beautiful Girl in the World. Finally, finally, he's worked up his courage—he's going to ask her out. Or will his trademark scheming get in his way?...more
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
May 8th 2012
by Wendy Lamb Books
(first published January 1st 2012)
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Kevin has decided that it's not enough to just have a crush on the beautiful Tina. He is going to do some serious research and figure out how he can ask her out and get her to say yes. He sets up a romantic dinner for his parents and observes them from a closet-- and sees the cat sit on the pasta and then set the table on fire. He asks his sister's friends to give him advice, and they tell him he dresses like he just came from the scene of a natural disaster. He successfully sets up his brother...more
Kevin Spencer is
STILL
trying to figure out how to get his dream girl Tina to notice him, so they can be the coolest couple out there. He sets a plan in motion to 'study' other great romances...well, romances that seem to be working for his family and friends. And, what he finds, not surprisingly, is that every couple has their own nuances and subtle ways of interacting, that may not work for him. What he did learn, though, is that he has to just step out of his comfort zone and talk to Tina.
Cr...more
Cr...more
Crush by Gary Paulsen is a realistic fiction that explores relationships on a journey to learn how the main character,Kevin Spencer, can date his crush. This book shows Kevin's unusual approach to romance.
One of the strengths of the book is the focus on many different relationships which can bring people together. One example would be the first successful arrangement Kevin put together. Kevin invited 6 figure skaters and his brother and 5 hockey players from his brother's team back to his house...more
One of the strengths of the book is the focus on many different relationships which can bring people together. One example would be the first successful arrangement Kevin put together. Kevin invited 6 figure skaters and his brother and 5 hockey players from his brother's team back to his house...more
This was a fun, funny story about Kevin (from Liar, Liar and Flat Broke) and his quest for love. Kevin is very scientific in his approach to love, and has a hypothesis and test subjects to save himself from being embarrassed in front of his crush. (Kevin can't seem to speak in her presence). Unfortunately, most of the things Kevin tries do not work out the way he hopes. The story is satisfying, funny and realistic.
I have not read the two previous books in the series, but this book can stand on...more
I have not read the two previous books in the series, but this book can stand on...more
8th grader Kevin Spencer knows he'd make a great boyfriend--neverminding that he's never so much as asked a girl out on a date. But when hotshot new kid Cash Devine starts spending a little too much time with Kev's crush, Tina, Kevin decides that it's time to take action. Since he's too afraid to actually talk to Tina--let alone ask her out--he does does the next best thing: research. By approaching love and romance through the lense of scientific theory, Kevin hopes to unravel the mysteries of...more
Review of an advance copy:
Kevin is still hilarious. And clueless. And totally overthinking everything. In this third escapade, Kevin is trying to figure out how to win Tina's heart. But rather than actually talking to her, he starts conducting experiments to try to figure out how love and romance work. Most of Kevin's ideas are over the top and border on the ridiculous, but that is what makes the book so fun to read. That and the fabulously zany characters that continue to show up in Kevin's exp...more
Kevin is still hilarious. And clueless. And totally overthinking everything. In this third escapade, Kevin is trying to figure out how to win Tina's heart. But rather than actually talking to her, he starts conducting experiments to try to figure out how love and romance work. Most of Kevin's ideas are over the top and border on the ridiculous, but that is what makes the book so fun to read. That and the fabulously zany characters that continue to show up in Kevin's exp...more
Another fun entry in the Liar, Liar series. A great, short set perfect for boys or girls, and especially reluctant readers. Kevin is a mad genius who is so caught up in the details of his schemes that he can't see the forest for the trees. His ultimate goal throughout this series has been to win the most perfect girl in the world Tina Zabinski. In this book, he decides that in order to effectively get Tina to go out with him, Kevin must observe other couples to see what makes their relationships...more
Kevin likes Tina. He wants to ask her out but he decides he needs to study romance so he doesn't make a mistake. He approaches love scientifically, creating experiments with his parents then setting up friends as blind dates. He comes to the conclusion that love makes no sense, but he also grows along the way. I love the snarky humor and self-deprecation in the story. Kevin knows he is not the nicest guy sometimes, and he works to improve that. The perfect story for boys everywhere. Paulsen gets...more
Gary Paulsen is huge in our libraries and I was excited to read Crush. He always has such great story lines that my students always enjoy. Bright and eye catching cover. Crush is a novel the will also love. Kevin is a great character to follow in this fun and funny story. My students are close to his age and can easily place themselves in his shoes with the same sort of coming of age problems. Always a great story when following Kevin around. Great read and excited to bring it into my library fo...more
Kevin is determined to get Tina to fall in love with him, but first he has to go about gathering the proper data through experiments and observation so that he knows EXACTLY how to talk to her and ask her out. His approach to love is very scientific to the point that he almost misses his chance.
This was a cute, simply and quick read. I think that guys would enjoy it. It is companion to two other books, but stands alone, except for some references to things that happened in the previous two title...more
This was a cute, simply and quick read. I think that guys would enjoy it. It is companion to two other books, but stands alone, except for some references to things that happened in the previous two title...more
Jun 13, 2012
Virginia Brace
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
junior-fiction
Fourteen year old Kevin, the ambitious and gregarious 8th grader from Flat Broke and Liar, Liar has never been on a date. But he is smitten by Tina Zabinski, and decides to observe how others of varying ages date or engage in their girlfriend-boyfriend relationships. Kevin is a schemer, so he sets up situations he can observe. This leads to various humorous scenes early teens or almost teens will chuckle about. I'd call this high interest for reluctant boy or girl middle school readers.
I thought this looked like a fun quick read. I am trying to get 2-3 books a week read this summer. I really enjoyed Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen and all of his survival books. But this one really didn't grab me. As short and simple as it was, I still had to force myself back to it. I could see that it would work with some of my reluctant boy readers,especially more toward middle schoolers.
I guess I didn't connect with the main character and found the writing and language to be watered down. Not horr...more
I guess I didn't connect with the main character and found the writing and language to be watered down. Not horr...more
Kevin decides to take a scientific approach to matters of the heart. He really wants to get Tina's attention - even ask her on a date, but he feels he doesn't know how. So he begins gathering "data" by watching other couples who are in love to learn about romance. Of course, he sets things up so that he can observe them (makes a romantic dinner for his parents, sets up a classmate with a blind date, etc) and every time there are disastrous and humorous results.
After scheming to make his life easier by lying (and that not working out), and scheming to make his life easier by making a lot of money (and that not working out), Kevin decides he will go about things scientifically this time and attempt to make Tina his girlfriend by conducting experiements about what makes people fall in love. Funny, and probably the most realistic of the three in the series, it is a quick and light read.
It's really too bad that the subtitle ("The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Love") doesn't make an appearance anywhere on the cover, because it adds to much to the overall snark that awaits the reader in the book. That being said, who knew that the author of
Hatchet
could write something so hilarious and completely non-Hatchet-like?
This is a story about an adolescent with a crush! He is so nervous around her and so oblivious to what is happening, that he totally misses out on the real world. Totally missing her cues and generally making a mess out of most of his relationships.
Young people will like it as they will relate to this geeky shy boy. Adults will like it because it brings back memories of times gone by - thank goodness!
Young people will like it as they will relate to this geeky shy boy. Adults will like it because it brings back memories of times gone by - thank goodness!
This is the third in the Kevin trilogy which also includes Liar, Liar and Flat Broke and may be the best. Cleverly framing each chapter around scientific principles or research, Kevin goes looking for insights into romance. Funny and filled with humanity, Kevin is a great middle school central character. The writing is of Paulsen quality and the editing by Wendy Lamb is masterful in this novella which limits stamina needs and makes a very acceptable book accessible!
Kevin is back and in this book he is intent on avoiding embarrassment as he ventures into the world of love. He very methodically interviews family, relatives, neighbors --anyone who can give him insight into a successful romance. Most of the interviews leave him either confused or scared, but he is persistent. Paulsen comes through with perfect pitch! Loved this story.
Audience: This book would interest 4th-6th graders because they can relate to the content of the new interest in dating but also involves alot of science.
Appeal: This book could be used as a discussion in science about the methods of science or in a general discussion in health about changes and new emotions the students would be going through.
Pre- class book
Appeal: This book could be used as a discussion in science about the methods of science or in a general discussion in health about changes and new emotions the students would be going through.
Pre- class book
It was okay... There were a few unnecessary curses and at points it was confusing! In my opinion not Paulsens Best. But i noticed that this is the third book in the series so i am planning on reading the first and second to see if i understand this book better. Try It, but it isnt for everyone!
Paulsen gives Kevin a very believable and humorous voice to Kevin, a teen boy who want to know what makes people fall in love so that he can woo the girl of his dreams. This quick read is a great recommendation for reluctant readers who are looking for realistic fiction.
Oh this book was so good! A great family read aloud and after "just one more chapter" about 10 times, Wes ended up finishing it at midnight:30...and since I fell asleep when he started reading, I finished it at the 3:00 a.m. baby feeding!! hahaha - lots of fun!
Apr 24, 2013
Kathy Ellen Davis
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
middle-grade,
audiobooks
I listened to this and thought it was hilarious.
I haven't read any of the other ones featuring Kevin, but now i want to!
I loved the characters,
And how wacky Kevin is,
and the scientific chapter titles.
Very fun.
I haven't read any of the other ones featuring Kevin, but now i want to!
I loved the characters,
And how wacky Kevin is,
and the scientific chapter titles.
Very fun.
I listened to the audiobook, which was excellent! Kevin should have a "read responsibly" disclaimer, but he doesn't, which makes him far more fun :) If you don't enjoy this story, your funny is broken.
I read this in a couple hours and thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew Gary Paulsen could grab my attention with books like Hatchet, but this one carried me away with its humor. Quick, fun read.
I'll read anything Paulsen writes. The third book in the Kevin series might even be my favorite. I laughed out loud on several occasions as Kevin takes a scientific approach to love.
Kevin's back in a third short, humorous story in which he attempts to use the scientific method to understand dating. Like Kevin, this earnest entry tries a bit too hard.
There are few books that make me literally laugh out-loud and this one did. I don't think there was a page that lacked something outrageosusly funny. Middle school readers will love every minute of Kevin's experiments of love. I hadn't had a chance to read Kevin's other adventures and I definitely want to pick them up,now. Paulsen really has an authentic middle grade voice and makes this story believable.
See complete review at soimfifty.blogspot.com
See complete review at soimfifty.blogspot.com
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Fast and funny read. I didn't find the story realistic, but Tina (Kevin's crush) should hold on to a guy willing to work as hard as he is!
Sweet, funny look at how tweens handle boy/girl relationships. Good for reluctant readers.
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Although he was never a dedicated student, Paulsen developed a passion for reading at an early age. After a librarian gave him a book to read--along with his own library card--he was hooked. He began spending hours alone in the basement of his apartment building, reading one book after another.
Running away from home at the age of 14 and traveling with a carnival, Paulsen acquired a taste for adve...more
More about Gary Paulsen...
Running away from home at the age of 14 and traveling with a carnival, Paulsen acquired a taste for adve...more
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9 de Ene 16:45