when I started playing back in grade school, my school offered cheap lessons because you would learn from someone older than you that played at our church (it was a catholic school). looking back, I really wish I had started with lessons from a real teacher and not the girl I learned from. her teaching approach was horrible, and I really think it set me back right from the start. after a year of lessons with her, I moved onto a real guitar teacher and it was 10 times harder trying to learn stuff she skipped over than it would've been to just start from scratch.

basically what I'm saying is that I think it's a good idea to at least start out with lessons for a year or so with a good teacher. after that, if you think you're self motivated enough, go get a book and continue to progress. when I was 13, I wasn't mature enough or wanted to get better badly enough, so I needed someone to sit me down and tell me what I need to learn each week. now 10 years later, I am working through a soloing and theory book at my own pace and I'm really enjoying it.