Boys Don't Knit (In Public)

March 16, 2015
Seventeen-year-old Ben Fletcher is a professional worrier. As a result of recklessly biking into Mrs. Frensham, a grouchy traffic guard, while on an ill-advised alcohol-stealing venture with his "idiot friends," Ben has been placed on probation for a year. Originally published in the U.K., Easton's novel is structured as the journal Ben is required to keep, which makes for a candid and intimate narrative. The other two requirements of Ben's probation are joining an afterschool activity and "Giving Something Back" to the communityânamely "performing basic maintenance and cleaning work" for Mrs. Frensham. Ben signs up for knitting class and is shocked to discover that he's a natural knitter: "The only thing that kept me going today was the thought of knitting class tonight. How sad is that?" The methodical craft quiets Ben's anxious mind, but he worries about letting his friends and crush find out about his hidden talent, even as he practices for an upcoming knitting competition. This funny and lighthearted novel captures the excitement of finding a passion in a story about taking life "one stitch at a time." Ages 13âup.

Starred review from January 1, 2015
An unwilling accomplice to petty theft organized by his dim friends, English teen Ben Fletcher is annoyed that he was the one busted when he collided with a crossing guard. Probation requires him to keep a journal using a template, which he considers beneath him, as he's been keeping a diary for years. But he soldiers on, hilariously recounting the details of the "Great Martini Heist" and its aftermath. He's also required to take a community college class. The pathetic choices include car maintenance, taught by his father, a mechanic who's always trying to get Ben (not a sports fan) to go with him to soccer matches. Ben opts for knitting because he has a crush on the teacher. When it turns out she's actually teaching pottery, he's stuck with knitting and stuck in a lie, unable to admit to his father and friends what he's up to. It turns out that he's a natural at knitting, able to appreciate the mathematical precision of the patterns and create his own. When Ben's coerced into entering a knitting contest, the jig is up. Despite some unnecessary Americanization of the text, this wonderfully funny novel is infused with British slang, including dozens of terms easily understood in context. Wacky characters, a farcical plot and a fledgling romance are all part of the fun in this novel that will appeal to fans of Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging. (Fiction. 12-16)

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February 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-Seventeen-year-old Ben Fletcher is on probation for an incident involving a bottle of Martini & Rossi and the lollipop lady. Although the initial plan was against his better judgment, his knucklehead friends talked him into stealing alcohol, thus landing him in trouble with the law. In order to fulfill the terms of his probation, Ben not only has to complete community service, but he also has to take up an extracurricular activity and maintain a journal chronicling his daily experiences. Rather than sign up for his father's car maintenance course (due to his lack of interest in anything his father deems fun), he takes up knitting. The listed instructor is his extremely hot English teacher and the thought of spending hours with her negates the fact that "knitting is for women." When he arrives at class, he learns that there has been a mix-up in instructors. However, the protagonist soon discovers he is a natural knitter, a fact that he has to hide from his dad and friends. As he takes on this new hobby, he learns a valuable lesson about gender stereotypes, relationships, and self-worth. Easton creates a humorous story told through the fast-paced format of Ben's journal entries. Although not much of a distraction, some British terms might cause slight confusion for some readers. VERDICT Teens will laugh out loud as they read about the protagonist's knitting and non-knitting escapades in this honest coming-of-age yarn.-Lindsey Dawson, Saint John's Catholic Prep, Frederick, MD

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 1, 2015
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* British high-schooler Ben Fletcher has so many problems, it's hard to know where to start. Let's see. His friends coaxed him into stealing a bottle of vermouth, but he bollixed the shoplifting, resulting in an altercation with a senior citizen crossing guard. As part of his rehabilitation, Ben must do community service and take up a hobby. Because the knitting night class is taught by a teacher he is crushing on, he joins, only to learn she actually teaches pottery, and now he is stuck with two knitting needles and a ball of yarn. But what's this? Ben, who excels at math, finds he is very good at deciphering patterns, and his stitch tension is perfect. Soon he is the star of the class (though he doesn't care for colorwork or knitting tea cozies). This wild jumble of fun and wool is also full of heart, thanks to Ben's sweet, worried, and clever voice. Written in diary format (with a wink and a nod to Bridget Jones), this spins from one outrageous (and occasionally raunchy) incident to the next. But it's not all plot and heavy-duty knitting action. Relationships are center stage: the double-entendre bantering of Ben's parents; Ben's evolving association with the aforementioned crossing guard; his trouble with both women and friends. Unique, this one will keep you in stitches.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2015
When anxious seventeen-year-old Ben Fletcher is put on probation, he takes up knitting to satisfy one of the requirements and finds that he has untapped natural talent. It's a talent he's desperate to keep secret but also one that leads to surprising social victories. Easton is generous with humor and absurdity, and Ben's voice is clear and consistent throughout.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)