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mrsbond's review against another edition
4.0
Kevin takes his understanding of the scientific method and attempts to apply to it learning about romance. His naivete and innocence about relationships and dating makes not only this character, but even his crazy antics all the more endearing. The girls who were bored by Hatchet will love Crush.
arloscott123's review against another edition
5.0
Kevin must try to make Tina notice him but he must also battle for Tina's love from the new kid Cash.
s_hay's review against another edition
4.0
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.
the_naptime_reader's review against another edition
3.0
Cute book about first crushes and young love. A few parts that made me chuckle out loud as a grownup. Might be my favorite in the series, but the novels all have the same feel, a scheme, missteps, heartfelt lesson learned, a happy ending, and I’m getting bored, so probably won’t finish the series. Sort of wish I had just read this one, probably works as a stand alone.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
4.0
In this third book about Kevin Spencer, Gary Paulsen finally gets to the heart of what has driven Kevin's actions through the entire series thusfar - his crush on Tina. Determined to get her attention, Kevin starts a series of scientific experiments and observations designed to help him understand how romance works. His test subjects include his older brother, his parents, the parents of Markie, his babysitting charge, and various classmates. Despite his well-laid plans, however, Kevin doesn't have much luck figuring out girls. Could it be the only way to learn about girls is to actually talk to them?
I really loved Liar, Liar and Flat Broke, and they both left me desperately wanting a third book about Kevin. Unfortunately, I don't think this book is quite as strong as the first two. Kevin's hi-jinks are always amusing, and the scenes with Markie, who refers to Kevin as "Dutchdeefuddie" had me laughing out loud. The narrative voice is well-developed, and, for the most part, authentic. The only thing that didn't ring true for me was the resolution of the crush plot line in the final chapter. Things fell into place way too easily, and the book seemed to lose its sense of humor a little bit. This entire series succeeds because it is funny, so breaking out of that formula at the last second is a bit jarring and seems like a let-down. Still, though, if a book about a serious crush is going to have a happy ending, there are only so many ways it can happen, and I definitely did want the happy ending. I'm not sure reluctant readers who have latched onto Kevin's sarcastic attitude will appreciate his suddenly earnest attempts at maturity, but if they're invested in the story, they might not let it turn them off. I think everybody likes a happy ending now and then, and I'm not sure Paulsen could have ended this book any other way. I just wish we'd had a few more pages to tie things up so I didn't feel so rushed.
Fans of Avi's and Gordon Korman's realistic fiction novels are likely to enjoy Paulsen's tone in this book, as it shares their same brand of clean, somewhat silly, humor. Crush is a true feel-good novel, likely to draw in those kids who like their reading on the lighter side. All three books in this trilogy are also great for bridging the gap between middle grade and YA.
I really loved Liar, Liar and Flat Broke, and they both left me desperately wanting a third book about Kevin. Unfortunately, I don't think this book is quite as strong as the first two. Kevin's hi-jinks are always amusing, and the scenes with Markie, who refers to Kevin as "Dutchdeefuddie" had me laughing out loud. The narrative voice is well-developed, and, for the most part, authentic. The only thing that didn't ring true for me was the resolution of the crush plot line in the final chapter. Things fell into place way too easily, and the book seemed to lose its sense of humor a little bit. This entire series succeeds because it is funny, so breaking out of that formula at the last second is a bit jarring and seems like a let-down. Still, though, if a book about a serious crush is going to have a happy ending, there are only so many ways it can happen, and I definitely did want the happy ending. I'm not sure reluctant readers who have latched onto Kevin's sarcastic attitude will appreciate his suddenly earnest attempts at maturity, but if they're invested in the story, they might not let it turn them off. I think everybody likes a happy ending now and then, and I'm not sure Paulsen could have ended this book any other way. I just wish we'd had a few more pages to tie things up so I didn't feel so rushed.
Fans of Avi's and Gordon Korman's realistic fiction novels are likely to enjoy Paulsen's tone in this book, as it shares their same brand of clean, somewhat silly, humor. Crush is a true feel-good novel, likely to draw in those kids who like their reading on the lighter side. All three books in this trilogy are also great for bridging the gap between middle grade and YA.
veewren's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. Not as funny as others led me to believe, got only a few chuckles. Was kind of unbelievably innocent (I certainly wasn't that childlike at 14) but it was cute.
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