Bradley and the Billboard

"The lone male in a household of five, Brad decides he needs to be the man of the house...He reluctantly accepts [a] modeling job when he learns how much it pays, but he worries about being branded a sissy...The story has appeal with its sports action, young romance, and good amount of humor." --The Horn Book "Thoughtful, sensitive, and amusing...Farrell's novel is filled with warm interrelationships and such worthwhile life lessons as 'respect and use your talents wisely.' Unusual, as well, in that it will appeal to girls as well as to guys, the book will score home runs with pre- and young teens." --Starred, Booklist"In a fast-moving tale, Farrell presents a look at the stereotypes of models, fame, and vanity; refreshingly, the perspective is a boy's." --Kirkus Reviews"Thirteen-year-old Brad is a baseball junkie, junior hunk, and regular guy-- except for his living with four females...and thereby being able to French braid, apply nail polish, and discriminate between types of pantyhose. He'd like to be a more manly man of the house, so he's drawn to the opportunity to make some good money even though it means he's "gonna have to do the sissiest thing in the world," modeling. Soon he discovers he's got a talent for modeling and that he really, really enjoys the attention he derives from it, but this leads to trouble in reconciling his old life and his new stardom...Lighthearted and humorous...The original plot and alluring subject will draw readers to this cheerful and entertaining analysis of eighth-grade self-worth." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books