The Boyfriend Game
by Stephie Davis

    THE BOYFRIEND GAME by Stephie Davis
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  3/3/09
    Publisher:  HarperTeen
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Trisha is focused on soccer.  Her two best friends, Sara and Beth, also play soccer, but they’d rather be hanging out
    at Pop’s flirting with the boys.  

    When the JV Soccer coach announces that two of the players will be bumping up to Varsity, Trisha is overjoyed to
    hear she’s on the short list for consideration.  Sara is by far the best player, but she isn’t nearly as excited as Trisha.  
    So while Sara and Beth head off to Pop’s, Trisha decides she’s going to put in extra practice time.  

    When she heads over to the other field, she finds a lone (cute) boy practicing, as well.  Trisha has never seen him
    before, and he’s good!  He introduces himself as Graham, a new student.  He invites Trisha to practice with him, and
    the two get serious.  They push each other harder and soon they are both aching and drenched in sweat.  They
    decide to continue practicing together each afternoon and Graham is just as determined to help Trisha reach Varsity
    status.

    But it doesn’t help Trisha when her two friends notice Graham and start telling Trisha how hot he is.  Trisha isn’t into
    boys yet, and Graham can’t be bothered with girly girls.  But when Sara and Beth keep on about Graham, Trisha
    slowly starts to realize that she gets strange feelings when she’s around him.  

    When the Varsity coach comes to preview the girls before tryouts, Trisha loses her concentration and knows that
    she can’t be around Graham anymore.  She’ll just have to practice on her own to make the Varsity cut.

    THE BOYFRIEND GAME is a sweet look at first love.  Trisha is taken by surprise with her feelings for Graham,
    but what is equally as appealing is seeing Graham struggle with his own conflicting emotions.  

    The story is simple and quick, but leaves the reader with a happy feeling by the final page.