Boy Toy

Title: Boy Toy
Author: Barry Lyga
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9780618723935
Page number: 410
Price: $17.99
Genre: realistic fiction
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 10-12 grade
Awards: N/A
Plot Summary: Josh Mendel is not your typical high school senior. Josh was sexually molested five years ago by his middle school history teacher. Even though Josh's identity was suppose to be kept secret everyone knows what happened to him. Now, five years later the teacher that molested him is being released from jail and Josh is still not able to deal with his past. He is haunted by "flickers" of his past as well as the guilt of what happened and what he believes he did. Will Josh every be able to move on or will his past haunt him forever?
Review: Barry Lyga tells a difficult story, but one that often isn't told. Sadly, the story, while fictional is reflective of real life events. Though rarely is this story told in teen fiction. Lyga's story gives voice to a male victim of sexual molestation which is rare in teen fiction. The story deals with a lot of difficult emotions that one feels if they are the victim of sexual molestation. Josh sees himself at fault for what happened despite only being 12 at the time. The flickers give glimpses of what happened to Josh but it isn't until the full flashbacks that the reader knows the whole story of Josh's past and why he struggles so much with the present.
Reader's Annotation: Josh never imagined that his crush on his 7th grade teacher would turn into a secret relationship. His teacher was married and Josh was only 12 but that's what happend and then everything fell apart when his secret came out. It's now 5 years later and Josh still can't seem to put his past behind him especially when his former teacher is about to be released from prison.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: Boy Toy shows the complete emotions that come with being sexual molested; guilt, humiliation, depression, and anger. Victims of molestation can relate to Josh's struggles and emotions and perhaps gain some closure by watching Josh slowly heal and overcome his trauma. I also think the story allows people to have a better understanding of molestation victims and the complex emotions they have to deal with over their ordeal. 
Issues: Sexual situations, language, violence
Book Talk Ideas: The story has a kind of ripped from the headlines type feel so the book talk could relate to an actual event that has happened.
Genre: realistic fiction
Main Themes: sexual molestation, guilt, anger, sexuality, relationships
Read-alikes: Heat by Mike Lupica and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Author Website: http://barrylyga.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Review
Publisher's Weekly
Why this book was chosen: The story not only discusses sexual molestation but the difference between sex and love and how often the two get confused.