What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

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Author(s)

Sonya Sones

Publisher

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre(s)

General Fiction

Age Range

12+

Release Date

December 16, 2008

ISBN

9780689876035

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My name is Robin.

This book is about me.

It tells the story of what happens

when after almost 15 pathetic years of loserdom,

the girl of my dreams finally falls for me.

That seems like it would be

a good thing, right?

Only it turns out to be

a lot more complicated than that

Because I'm not gonna lie to you --

there are naked women involved.

Four of them, to be exact.

Though not in the way you might think.

Don't get me wrong -- my girlfriend's amazing.

But the way things have been going lately,

I'm starting to believe that the only thing worse

than not getting what you want,

is getting it.

My name is Robin.

This book is about me.

It tells the story of what happens

when after almost 15 pathetic years of loserdom,

the girl of my dreams finally falls for me.

That seems like it would be

a good thing, right?

Only it turns out to be

a lot more complicated than that

Because I'm not gonna lie to you --

there are naked women involved.

Four of them, to be exact.

Though not in the way you might think.

Don't get me wrong -- my girlfriend's amazing.

But the way things have been going lately,

I'm starting to believe that the only thing worse

than not getting what you want,

is getting it.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Love Love Love This!

February 28, 2012

Overall rating

5.0

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I could read Sonya Sones’ novels in verse all day…and I have. What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know is the sequel to the excellent What My Mother Doesn’t Know, which details Sophia Stein’s romantic travails, ending with her dating the outcast Robin Murphy. What My Girlfriend picks up at the exact moment the previous left off, this time from Robin’s point of view.

I love the character of Robin--he is so sweet and beaten down, to the point that “Murphy” is synonymous with loser. There's a moment when he realizes the insult has gone beyond his school, and it is shattering. People turn on Sophia for dating Robin (including the friends I praised in my previous review) and suddenly "Stein" is an insult as well. Robin agonizes over breaking up with Sophia to save her socially.

I enjoy reading about life from the outcasts' point of view. As a teacher, it motivates me to look out for potential "Murphys" at my school. Luckily, Robin has a teacher who sets him up with art classes at Harvard (love books set in my hometown), which gives him insight into life beyond high school. In the real world, he is a cool, talented guy that is well-liked. While I don't think this book will appeal to male readers, I hope that the girls who read this feel comforted by this information, or act kindly towards less popular students in their schools.

If you like novels in verse, you can't miss Sonya Sones' books.

Good Points

Murphy is such a great male character.
Optimistic for outcasts.
An awesome novel in verse.

Megan Kelly Top 50 Reviewer 112 reviews

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amazing

March 04, 2010

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by ashley

It was a very pleasing book about a boy who gets a girlfriend for the first time and doesn't think he deserves her. He trys to break up with her but in the end they are made for each other.

Guest #1 Reviewer

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Love This Series

August 20, 2009

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Reader reviewed by Yan

Verse novels are rare in the teen genre. And out of those I can only think of a few that stands out as being a master at it. Sonya Sones is definitely one of the few.

The reason why I abhor verse stories is because they are slightly ambiguous, detached, and well, not fun. School has left a scar when it comes to loving poetry. Endless symbolismwhat does this mean, what does that mean? Unforgiving teacherstry again kids. And Shakespeare that left an entire classroom frustrated beyond belief. So you can imagine why I avoid these type of books like a plague.

In this case, What My Girlfriend Doesnt Know is personal and profoundwell as profound as a 14 and three-quarters year old guy can be. We witness Sophies and Robins relationship jump from the high and the bottomless pit and back up along the rough edges. We read as we see the negative response to their closeness affect the one and the other. But most of all we come to love Robin as the loving boyfriend who fears that he might bet he downfall to his girlfriend, Sophie.

Personal. Engrossing. Powerful. And. Traumatizing. What do you expect from a teenage boy's mind?

I completely adore this book. The way it was set-up, the style of writing she uses, the format of some of the sentences she did. It came together like glue and paper. If I could I would kiss Sonya Soness brain, not head, brain.

I have some issues with the ending though. It did not seem complete.

Overall: *fawns over book*

Guest #1 Reviewer