Books like Crush by Gary Paulsen
An introverted eighth‑grader named Kevin is too shy to ask the girl he likes, Tina Zabinski, on a date. While the boy navigates middle‑school life, he spends most of his time theorizing about romance, observing and analyzing the interplay of male and female interactions, and trying to understand the delicate dance of teenage feelings.
Through humorous moments and earnest reflections, the story explores the awkwardness of middle‑school crushes and the inner world of a young teen learning to navigate relationship dynamics.
Kevin’s loneliness and curiosity about love reveal the universal teenage struggle of balancing self‑doubt with the desire to connect with others.
First publish date: 2012
Genre: Romance/Romantic Comedy
Authors: Gary Paulsen
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