Getting the Girl (Underdogs, #3)

by Markus Zusak

[jeannamichel]

Cameron follows in the shadows of his two older brothers. Cam follows Steve’s success and the fact that Steve will never back down, no matter what’s thrown at him. Cam follows Ruben, trying to mimic his determination and confidence and even the types of girls he goes after. But when Cameron gets Rube’s previous girlfriend, his words for their family and their bother/friendship may not be enough. Cameron is forced out of his shell, in his attempt to get the girl.

Like The Book Thief (which I read in 2009), this book blew me away. I was completely awed by Zusak’s writing style again! And I have never read Fighting Ruben Wolfe, but it didn’t matter. I learned to love the characters anyway, love the depth, and love the story. Yeah, from the above summary this may sound like a simple story. But there is so much to this story that the plot itself eventually becomes a part of you.

This book is not about a boy and a girl falling in love. It is about a boy finding himself and learning how to be comfortable in his own skin.

I love the title. “Getting the Girl” is easier said than done with Cameron and in the act of getting this girl, he has to step out of his brothers’ shadows and learn how to be himself. He starts by writing his story down, getting his thoughts sorted out on a piece of paper. It’s therapeutic (even if Cam did not see it that way). It helps him get through things, such as getting the girl, a dog’s death, and Ruben’s fight.

Cameron is a very strong character, even though he might not seem so at first. Just because he is shy and inexperienced, doesn’t mean he can’t be strong. His devotion to this girl is inspiring. He shared secrets he hasn’t even told his brother to this girl and even when she didn’t return any, he still kept going to her house, in hopes she might come out and see him. His thoughts were definitely unique and they show a fresh, new opinion on life that I have never heard of before. It made life sound almost poetic, which came from the genius that is Markus Zusak. His words were wonderfully written and reminded me a lot of the character Max, (from The Book Thief). Zusak created something truly special here and this was a book that definitely deserves more attention.

I really don’t care much for the cover. I can’t imagine Cameron wearing a button-down shirt and what’s with his belly button showing—I don’t understand? Cam seemed to like to wear T-shirts and hoodies, you know like the brooding, shy type.

Overall, I loved this book. Not only did I love the depth of his words and the effect they held, but I loved how in an attempt to get himself a girlfriend, he finds himself instead.