''Doing It'' is a
young adult novel by author
Melvin Burgess published in 2003. It is a story about the experiences of a group of English
teenager
Adolescence () is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age of majority). Adolescence is usually associated with the te ...
s and their discovery of
sex
Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing animal or plant produces male or female gametes. Male plants and animals produce smaller mobile gametes (spermatozoa, sperm, pollen), while females produce larger ones (ova, oft ...
. It is told from the point of view of several young men as they learn about love, relationships, and loss.
Plot
The plot revolves around a group of British teenagers: Dino, who is the most popular guy at school, and his two best friends, Ben and Jonathon. Dino really likes a beautiful girl named Jackie, the most popular girl in school, but she is unwilling to give him what he wants. This gives Dino the chance to get it from other girls behind Jackie's back. Yet problems arise in Dino's family that causes him to realize sex may not be what he needs. Jonathon likes Deborah, but she is overweight; fearing condemnation from his friends and because of a disgusting looking bump on his penis, he fears showing his true feelings. Ben has been secretly seeing his teacher, Miss Young. He used to love it, but now it overwhelms him. Ben tries to break it off in order to pursue a girl his own age but it causes big trouble for him, Miss Young and his new girlfriend.
Reception
Reception to the book was generally favourable, with discussion of the subject matter being controversial for some.
In 2003 the author
Anne Fine
Anne Fine OBE FRSL (born 7 December 1947) is an English writer. Although best known for children's books, she also writes for adults. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and she was appointed an OBE in 2003.
Fine has written mor ...
, the
Children's Laureate, tried to use her influence to persuade ''Doing Its publisher to withdraw it on the grounds of obscenity, but it was not withdrawn, and the controversy increased its sales.
In 2017, many UK school librarians refused to stock the book or lend it to students due to controversial material.
Awards and nominations
*Won the
''Los Angeles Times'' Book Prize for Young Adult Fiction in 2004
"Previous Winners: 2004 Book Prizes."
Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-10-2.
*Named to the New York Public Library
The New York Public Library (NYPL) is a public library system in New York City. With nearly 53 million items and 92 locations, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States (behind the Library of Congress ...
Books for the Teenage list
TV series adaptation
The book was adapted as a TV series under the title '' Life As We Know It'', which, although critically acclaimed, was cancelled.
References
External links
*Reviews of the novel o
Goodreads.com
2003 British novels
2003 children's books
Novels by Melvin Burgess
British young adult novels
Andersen Press books
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