From debut author A. J. Symon comes Golden Boy, pitched as “Weird Science meets Marley & Me. A heartfelt, funny crossover perfect for tweens ready to step into YA.”
This was such a delightful read. From Emma’s STEM experiments on fruit-flies to the nods to Dr. Shinya Yamanaka’s stem-cell research, with all the science elements woven in naturally. I also loved her crush on quarterback Nick, especially the way she’s unsure of why she likes Nick, only that it shouldn’t be because of his good looks. Or how she tries to analyze her feelings rationally and logically because of her difficulties with subtext, like expressions, inflections and social cues. Super cute.
Emma’s family dynamics added a seriousness to the story. They’re not great at communicating, so I appreciated the glimpses into her brother’s perspectives. What football means to them, how their father’s tough coaching style affects them, and what they wish they could say out loud.
And Hudson, Bud Golden in human form, is such a standout character. He senses everyone’s discomfort, moves with this hilarious super-speed, and becomes wildly territorial over a football. His presence shifts the entire family, nudging them closer together and helping them see what truly matters. He even helps Emma understand football in a new way and opens her father’s eyes to her strengths. Overall, a story not to be missed for tweens or upper middle grade readers.
