Busted: Confessions of an Accidental Player »

Antony John (Seattle) was born in England and raised on a balanced diet of fish and chips, obscure British comedies, and ABBA's greatest hits. In a pique of teenage rebellion, he decided to pursue a career in classical music, culminating in a BA from Oxford University and a Ph.D. from Duke University.

I feel like I'm about to pass out, but that won't do much for my new reputation as a non-dork, so I bury my head in the Book instead. There's not much there, really—just the senior portrait of every girl in my class, and below each photo, space for me to record her measurements—once I get her measurements, that is.

From his flute-playing prowess to his nerdy reputation, Kevin Mopsely epitomizes uncool. When popular jock Brandon Trent appoints Kevin to compile the Book of Busts—a record of the bust, waist, and hip measurements of every senior girl—Kevin fears he's out of his league. The Book, however, is the key to his popularity, so Kevin accepts the challenge—uncovering much more than he bargained for in the process.

Busted is a hilarious and provocative debut that tackles the intricate issues of first love, testosterone-laden peer pressure, feminism, and "GRRL power" with a fresh and unique voice that will appeal to both male and female teenage readers.

VOYA

When senior nerd Kevin Mopsely tries for popularity, he collides with his family, true friends, secret love, favorite teacher, the school "babes," and the bully "jocks," until he discovers that being himself is more satisfying than being cool. Brandon Trent, a manipulative bully, leads the senior boys in The Graduation Rituals, traditional cruel and exploitive anti-girl activities. Kevin's assignment, the Book of Busts, requires him to record every senior girl's measurements, including his best friend's. The English teacher invites Kevin's mother, a women's studies professor, to teach an elective class, and "Grrl power" emerges. The popular girls manipulate Kevin, his best friend stops speaking to him, and his mother sends him to his estranged father, a pitiful alcoholic who spends his time harassing waitresses at Hooters. Realizing that his father is an older Brandon, Kevin reforms, gives the girls the Book of Busts to burn, and supports their revenge. By prom time, the seniors are seeing individual people rather than labels, Kevin is learning about strong boy/girls relationships, and a drunk, obnoxious Brandon is thrown out of school. As in Gabriel Zevin's Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2007/VOYA October 2007), this novel addresses high school popularity, true love, and fractured families. The strong language and the provocative bedroom scene in which Kevin's girlfriend considers making love to him could be controversial, but John uses and breaks teen stereotypes with wit and plot twists. Even though the story has cross-gender appeal for senior high readers, it may not draw a male audience. Reviewer: Lucy Schall