Stop Me If You've Heard
This One Before
by David Yoo

    STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE by David Yoo
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  9/30/08
    Publisher:  Hyperion
    Reviewed by:  Bookluver_Carol
    Rating:  5 Stars


    If Albert Kim has learned one thing in his tragic adolescence, it's that God (probably a sadistic teenage alien) does
    not want him to succeed at Bern High.

    By the end of sophomore year, Al is so tired of humiliation that he's chosen to just forget girls and high school society
    in general, and enjoy the Zen-like detachment that comes from being an intentional loser.

    Then he meets Mia Stone, and all the repressed hormones come flooding back. Mia, his co-worker at the Bern Inn,
    is adorable, popular, and, most intimidating, the ex- long-term girlfriend of Ivy-bound, muscle-bearing king of BHS
    and world class jerk, Ryan Stackhouse.

    But - chalk it up to the magic of Al's inner beauty - by the end of a summer vacuuming hotel rooms and goofing off
    together, he and Mia are officially "something."

    Albert barely has time to ponder this miracle before the bomb drops: Ryan has been diagnosed with cancer, and he
    needs Mia's support, i.e. constant companionship. True, he's lost weight and he's getting radiation, but that doesn't
    make him any less of a jerk. And to Albert, it couldn't be more apparent that Ryan is using his cancer to steal Mia
    back.

    With the whole town rallying behind Ryan like he's a fallen hero, and Mia emotionally confused and worried for
    Ryan, Al's bid for love is not a popular campaign. In fact, it's exactly like driving the wrong way on a five-lane
    highway.

    STOP ME IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE was a funny, sad, and wonderful story all at the same time.
    Yoo really knows how to capture the reader and keep them hooked until the last page.

    Albert felt like a real teenage boy and his emotions were captured so well. The love between him and Mia grew
    gradually and I loved that. They didn’t fall in love when they first met; their friendship grew into love. I really liked
    how Albert grew as a character and had a truly unique voice.

    Overall, I highly recommend STOP ME IF YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE.  It’s just such an engaging
    novel!