Review: Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials

Title: Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials
Author: Rosalind Wiseman
Pages: 288
Rating: 4/5

Charlie Healey thinks Harmony Falls is the beginning of a whole new life. Middle School was brutal. Mean girls were all around her. But High School’s going to be Charlie’s big chance to start over and stay out of drama, except that on her first day who does she run into? None other than Will, her ex-best friend, who had moved away. Now he’s back, looking a lot cuter and hanging out with a questionable crew. But Charlie doesn’t understand just how questionable until an innocent delivery guy falls victim to a near-deadly hazing prank.

All Charlie wanted to do was have a drama-free freshman year, but now she must decide whether to turn in her very best friend, who just told her he loves her, or live with the guilt of knowing what he did.

Rosalind Wiseman’s first novel for young adults is a fresh, funny, and juicy read about friendship, betrayal, and how far some will go to be accepted (rosalindwiseman.com).

I loved this book!! I thought it was funny, and heartwarming, and really sweet all at the same time. The main character, Charlie, is adorable and I love her personality.

Hoping to run away from the nasty girls at her former school, Charlie is accepted to Harmony Falls, the neighboring school district. Charlie quickly becomes friends with Syndey who is beautiful, down to earth, and real. However, things become turned upside down when Charlies best friend, Will returns. Will finds himself messed up with the popular crowd, and gives into peer pressure just to be "cool."

I guess one of my favorite parts of this book were the fact that it was "real." It wasn't that long ago that I walked the halls of my high school, and dealt with the peer pressure, bullies, and the so called mean girls. I understood what Charlie was seeing and what she was feeling. High School can be hard, and Wiseman definitely doesn't sugar coat it.

This book has received a lot of mixed reviews, but I think you should give it a try and see for yourself!