This amusing novel, with a kind of Being John Malkovich premise, introduces a guy who "isn't stereotypically crushworthy" as he starts at an exclusive prep school. But the book has a unique twist: Gideon's thoughts and actions are related by a girl at the school who is somehow able to get inside his head. She knows what he's doing and "what he wishes he were doing, what he thinks he should be doing, and what he would wish he were doing if he were just a slightly better person." Through her narration, readers observe Gid as he meets his two popular roommates, who make him the center of a bet: Can he have sex by the end of October with a nice, pretty classmate named Molly? Along with some outrageous antics, readers gain insight into Gid's kind, often insecure character. They will also find plenty to ponder in terms of guy friendships and dating dynamics (Gid's womanizing roommate Cullen advises him that the way to make a girl like him is to pay attention to the way she wants to be seen; he even draws Gid a chart so he can record facts about Molly). Though the narrator remains a mystery for most of the book, readers will not be too surprised when her identity is finally revealed; still, the conclusion is wholly satisfying. Readers will have a good time living inside Gid's head as he slowly becomes more confident-and goes a little wild along the way. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Teenage angst has never been so appealing. First-time novelist Miller has written a funny and penetrating story about students at a New England prep school. In a unique twist, the narrator, a female classmate of new student Gideon Rayburn, is inside his mind and privy to his thoughts and feelings. While narrating events through Gideon's perspective, she interjects her own comments with biting humor and insight. The plot centers on a bet between Gideon's two roommates over whether or not Gideon will lose his virginity by Halloween. As shallow as this sounds, the book has depth and charm and is populated with amusing characters: beautiful Pilar, who wears white outfits but doesn't want anyone to know she got the idea from J. Lo; Nicholas, who is something of an ascetic except when it comes to smoking pot; Molly, a "stealth babe" whose intelligence and confidence are refreshing in this high-school setting; and Gideon himself, honest and likable in his struggles with self-esteem. Miller's humor is sophisticated, and her character portrayal is rich and discerning; an enjoyable read for adults and YAs alike. Recommended for public libraries.-Joy Humphrey, Pepperdine Univ. Law Lib., Malibu, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Gr 9 Up-This book is earthy and crude, but intensely honest. A nameless girl at Midvale Academy suddenly and inexplicably finds herself inside the head of 15-year-old Gideon, a new student at the Connecticut prep school. Hearing his thoughts gives her a unique understanding of how the mind of an intelligent but hormone-ruled boy works. Gid's wealthy, handsome, and popular roommates, Cullen and Nicholas, attempt to help him adjust, pointing out the hottest girls. Recognizing that he is limited in his coolness factor, they pick a girl who's not the top of the heap and bet on whether Gideon will be able to have sex with her before Halloween. The "lucky" girl is Molly McGarry. It's a shame, Gideon thinks, because although she is cute and smart, she's not his first pick; he's set his sights on beautiful, oozing-with-sexuality Pilar Benitez-Jones, who has indicated that she'll take him on, any time, any place. But a bet's a bet, and Gideon is excited about fulfilling the terms since he's still a virgin. The conceit sometimes makes it difficult to tell who's actually thinking, Gid or the girl, but if readers can get past this issue, the story works on many levels. There's a tremendous amount of pot smoking, drinking, and sneaking out at night, making the story most appropriate for older teens. The humor, well-developed characters, and fast-moving plot make the book deserving of shelf space, and teens will enjoy figuring out the identity of the narrator, who is revealed at the end.-Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

On his first day at an elite New England boarding school, Gideon Rayburn doesn't know about the mysterious female visitor inexplicably tucked inside his head listening to and commenting on his most intimate thoughts ranging from cafeteria food to losing his virginity. So through an often confusing jumble of Gideon's own thoughts and the quasi-omnipotent female's observations, readers watch from two vantage points as Gideon shakes off his working-class roots and tries to fit in with his wealthy and generally vapid classmates. Attempting to assimilate, Gideon bets his roommates that he will bed his classmate Molly McGarry. Unsurprisingly, Gideon falls for Molly and faces a moral conflict, which he solves in a way that slightly and possibly unrealistically panders to a female audience. A typical prep-school tale complete with excess, drugs and sex, but with a failed twist that is frequently awkward and quickly grows predictable. (Fiction. YA)

[An] amusing novel...[with] a unique twist...Readers will have a good time living inside Gid's head as he slowly becomes more confident and goes a little wild along the way.” —Publishers Weekly

“Smart, funny, sexy and totally true, reading Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn is like getting access to a club you've always wondered about...and then you're inside and it's better than you imagined it ever could be. And everyone is wearing the cutest yellow thongs!” —Zoey Dean, author of the New York Times bestselling A-List series

“Being inside Gideon's mind is like reading the personal diary of a guy you have a huge crush on and discovering that he's funny, sexy, wise, and more human than you ever imagined.” —Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the New York Times bestselling Gossip Girl series

“Teenage angst has never been so appealing. First-time novelist Sarah Miller has written a funny and penetrating story….[her] humor is sophisticated, and her character portrayal is rich and discerning.” —Library Journal

“The humor, well-developed characters, and fast-moving plot make the book deserving of shelf-space, and teens will enjoy figuring out the identity of the narrator, who is revealed at the end.” —School Library Journal