Alec Greven is working on becoming another John Gray (MEN ARE FROM MARS, WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS), at least for 3rd graders. In 2007, his class had a writing competition to raise money for charity, and his book was so popular, it was picked up by HarperCollins for mass publication.

Not bad for a Castle Rock, Colorado 9-year-old whose advice in HOW TO TALK TO GIRLScontains such gems as:

– You’ll do better and be happier with a “regular girl” than a “pretty girl.” (Alec’s definition of a pretty girl is one who wear “fancy earrings, fancy dresses, all those shoes.”) According to Alec, “about 73 percent of regular girls ditch boys, 98 percent of pretty girls ditch boys.”

– If you’re shy, a talkative girl would be best for you.

– Don’t be the class clown.

– Impress girls with your skills but don’t be a show off.

– Call the girl but don’t keep her talking too long on the phone. (Two hours, for instance, is too long. Your mother will call you for dinner and you may have to hurt the girl’s feelings by abruptly breaking off the conversation.)

– If a girl ditches you, move on, life is hard. (This last seems a bit adult – wonder what his parents have been telling him…)

Alec says, however, given his own admittedly limited experience, his observations may only apply to his school, Soaring Hawk Elementary School and its play yard. I guess time will tell, eh?

One hit wonder or future top ten writer? Hmmm… (A sequel is already in discussions with the publisher even though the first book won’t be released until November 25th.)

(Already a little heartbreaker, isn’t he?)