From Publishers Weekly
Davidson, a high school teacher, debuts with a tried-and-true teen romance, unusual chiefly for its setting in an affluent black suburb of Detroit. Jason, 16, is gorgeous, smart, graceful on the basketball court, and he dates popular, beautiful Lisa. But "fine-as-hell, super-jock, popular-as-Nikes-in-the-NBA, can-have-anybody-he-wants" Jason falls for "double-brained-nappy-headed-sweet-but-nobody" Kyra, his nonconformist, highly academic research partner from AP English class. Davidson describes the beginnings of their mutual attraction in spine-tinglingly prolonged detail, effectively camouflaging the staple elements of her plot: only Kyra understands that Jason, whose mother died when he was three and whose father leaves on frequent business trips, experiences his solitude as loneliness, not as freedom to do as he likes; Lisa, furious at being dumped by Jason, gets revenge in a manner that will be familiar to readers of middle-grade and YA fiction. But other story lines advance the narrative, too, such as Kyra's dedication to her project for a Westinghouse-like national science competition. Readers with an appetite for love stories are likely to follow Jason and Kyra's pas de deux from its beginning straight through to its satisfying end. Ages 12-up. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Grade 10 Up–A predictable, sappy tale set at a large high school in the Detroit area with an African-American cast of characters. Jason, star basketball player and "damn fine," finds himself increasingly lonely and frustrated with his girlfriend, Lisa. She is beautiful, he knows, but shallow and he wants someone with whom he can really talk, especially when his father rages at him. In his AP English class, he is paired for an assignment with brainiac Kyra, who dresses and acts differently from the popular girls in school. He finds himself increasingly drawn to her because she is so easy to be with, and because he finds her stable family environment to be a safe haven from his stormy home. Kyra, on the other hand, senses the attraction but attempts to stave it off because of his tremendous popularity and "taken" status. After realizing their attraction to one another, Jason dumps Lisa and she vows to get him back. Beneath the typical high school romance story–flowers, dances, first times, home trouble–is a story that many teens will enjoy. Opposites attracting, preconceived notions, hallway conversations, and the intensity of first love are themes that always capture this audience. While seasoned readers will tire of the worn plot line, young adults looking for a light romance will find a quick read.–Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-12. Set in an upscale African American community in Detroit, this starts off as a typical dreamy, sexy YA romance: gorgeous, cool high-school basketball star Jason and brainy, outsider Kyra fall in love, then part in fury when Jason's ex-girlfriend makes trouble. But this highly entertaining first novel breaks with formula in many ways. For one thing, Jason's sports games and Kyra's science competition get equal attention, with tension building steadily to each one's winning moment. Davidson also constructs their sexual relationship with truth and subtlety, switching viewpoints to show that the teens adore one another. Jason has had sex before; Kyra is excited by the physical intimacy (they even prepare with condoms), but they both know she isn't ready to lose her virginity. The novel is much too long, and constant references to what each character is wearing, head to toe, become tiresome. But the turnaround is tense, and teens won't be able to stop reading until Jason and Kyra are back in a loving embrace. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Jason is a basketball star and one of the most popular guys in school. Brainy Kyra isn't, but she doesn't much care what other people think. Under normal circumstances, Jason and Kyra would live in their separate worlds until graduation. But fate intervenes, and the unlikely duo is paired up for a class project. Although preconceived notions abound on both sides, Kyra soon realizes that Jason is not the dumb jock she anticipated. And Jason finds himself telling Kyra things he can't even tell his best friend. As the two become close and eventually start to fall in love, no one in school can believe it, especially Jason's ex-girlfriend, who is determined to get him back. Being together means navigating the obstacles that are coming their way-but staying apart may be impossible. Dana Davidson is a high school teacher who was the 2001 winner of the Newsweek WDIV Outstanding Teacher Award. This is her first book for young adults.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Jason is a basketball star and one of the most popular guys in school. Brainy Kyra isn't, but she doesn't much care what other people think.Under normal circumstances, Jason and Kyra would live in their separate worlds until graduation. But fate intervenes, and the unlikely duo is paired up for a class project. Although preconceived notions abound on both sides, Kyra soon realizes that Jason is not the dumb jock she anticipated. And Jason finds himself telling Kyra things he can't even tell his best friend. As the two become close and eventually start to fall in love, no one in school can believe it, especially Jason's ex-girlfriend, who is determined to get him back. Being together means navigating the obstacles that are coming their way-but staying apart may be impossible. Dana Davidson is a high school teacher who was the 2001 winner of the Newsweek WDIV Outstanding Teacher Award. This is her first book for young adults.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Davidson, a high school teacher, debuts with a tried-and-true teen romance, unusual chiefly for its setting in an affluent black suburb of Detroit. Jason, 16, is gorgeous, smart, graceful on the basketball court, and he dates popular, beautiful Lisa. But "fine-as-hell, super-jock, popular-as-Nikes-in-the-NBA, can-have-anybody-he-wants" Jason falls for "double-brained-nappy-headed-sweet-but-nobody" Kyra, his nonconformist, highly academic research partner from AP English class. Davidson describes the beginnings of their mutual attraction in spine-tinglingly prolonged detail, effectively camouflaging the staple elements of her plot: only Kyra understands that Jason, whose mother died when he was three and whose father leaves on frequent business trips, experiences his solitude as loneliness, not as freedom to do as he likes; Lisa, furious at being dumped by Jason, gets revenge in a manner that will be familiar to readers of middle-grade and YA fiction. But other story lines advance the narrative, too, such as Kyra's dedication to her project for a Westinghouse-like national science competition. Readers with an appetite for love stories are likely to follow Jason and Kyra's pas de deux from its beginning straight through to its satisfying end. Ages 12-up. (June) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Heidi Hauser Green

Jason is a popular basketball star and center of the most popular crowd at Cross High School. Kyra is a smart girl focused on a prestigious science competition who does not pay attention to the high school cliques. What do these two have in common? Not much, until they are paired for a research project in their English AP class. They develop a mutual respect, which leads to friendship, and eventually to romance. Soon Kyra finds herself having more fun than she has ever had before, and Jason finds himself sharing confidences that he has never told anyone else. But the road of young love is rarely easy. Can their growing attraction withstand the skepticism and challenges posed by their peers? Will Kyra and Jason be able to define the terms of their relationship together—or will the fears they must face ultimately tear them apart? Dana Davidson's first novel is a lushly detailed teen romance set in an affluent African-American suburb of Detroit. 2004, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, Ages 12 to 16.

VOYA - KaaVoniaHinton-Johnson

Kyra Evans keeps telling herself that they are just friends. Jason Vincent, the captain of the basketball team, has a girlfriend, and Kyra is not part of the in-crowd. Worse, Kyra is a bit of a nerd, and Jason is probably just another "dumb jock." A few phone calls while working on a project could not possibly mean anything. Readers will be drawn in as this unlikely couple manages to fall in love. As the romance heats up, sexual situations increasingly become a part of this love story. But as in any romance worth reading, Jason and Kyra experience some rocky times as well. Jason seems to be still sexually involved with his ex-girlfriend Lisa—or is he? Despite the slow pace, predictable plot, and stilted dialogue—"Get the hell outta Dodge!"—first-time novelist Davidson offers a contemporary story that features likeable African American characters with goals and promising futures. Although Lisa often refers to Kyra's natural hairstyle as "nappy hair," there is no real focus on race-related social ills. For those looking for contemporary books about African American youth who are not living in poverty, on drugs, or in jail, this book will probably appeal. Students interested in science will be drawn to the book as well and will appreciate Kyra's devotion to a science project that could win her a $50,000 scholarship. No matter how many love-and-loss stories readers encounter, hopeless romantics will cheer when Kyra and Jason unite and then reunite. VOYA Codes 3Q 2P S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 327p., Ages 15 to 18.

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-A predictable, sappy tale set at a large high school in the Detroit area with an African-American cast of characters. Jason, star basketball player and "damn fine," finds himself increasingly lonely and frustrated with his girlfriend, Lisa. She is beautiful, he knows, but shallow and he wants someone with whom he can really talk, especially when his father rages at him. In his AP English class, he is paired for an assignment with brainiac Kyra, who dresses and acts differently from the popular girls in school. He finds himself increasingly drawn to her because she is so easy to be with, and because he finds her stable family environment to be a safe haven from his stormy home. Kyra, on the other hand, senses the attraction but attempts to stave it off because of his tremendous popularity and "taken" status. After realizing their attraction to one another, Jason dumps Lisa and she vows to get him back. Beneath the typical high school romance story-flowers, dances, first times, home trouble-is a story that many teens will enjoy. Opposites attracting, preconceived notions, hallway conversations, and the intensity of first love are themes that always capture this audience. While seasoned readers will tire of the worn plot line, young adults looking for a light romance will find a quick read.-Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews