My son really enjoyed this book. He just turned 13.
From the back cover: " Troy Billings is seventeen, 296 pounds, friendless, utterly miserable, and about to step off the subway platform in front of an oncoming train. Until he meets Curt MacCrae, an emaciated, semi-homeless, high-school drop-out guitar genius, the stuff of which Lower East Side Punk rock legends are made. Never mind that Troy's dad thinks Curt is a drug addict, and Troy's brother thinks Troy's the biggest (literally) loser in Manhattan. Soon, Curt's recruited Troy as his new drummer - despite the fact that Troy can't play the drums. Together, Curt and Troy will change the world of punk, and Troy's own life, forever. "
(From review on back): "Troy's voice is candid, irreverent, realistic and humorous. (A) wonderful, engrossing tale " - 5LJ Starred Review

My son (now 13) LOVED this book. Maybe the reference to Kurt Cobain helped get him hooked.
Releasing today at Oakville Meetup, Navy and Lakeshore, 2nd Cup.

I picked up this book at the Oakville meetup today.
Bookgirrl said some good things about it
and I know the perfect person to send the book to when I'm done with it!

I just finished reading this book.

I'll be sending it off to WestofMars (the perfect person I mentioned in my last journal entry) on Saturday with a couple of books I owe her. I can't wait to see what she thinks of Curt, the Smack Metal Puppets, and Big T.

Anyway, I thought this was a great book (but I guess that is to be expected in a Printz Award for Excellence in YA Lit honor book). Troy is a character that I think we all can relate to on one level or other. I really enjoyed seeing him develop during the course of the novel.

But... but... but...

There's a great big award on the front cover! It'll ruin my reputation to be seen reading this puppy!

Clearly, this is NOT a book I can let languish on Mt. TBR. In fact, I'd go read it right now, except that if I don't finish the book for book club (okay, get more than 10 pages into the book for book club), how will I be able to lead the discussion about it?

Okay, I will TOTALLY read more of these Printz award books. Totally. This rocked.

Yes, I saw a lot of Trevor in Curt, although Curt's less in control and not quite as together as Trev. He's also younger than Trevor is when we meet him, and that might be why. But the music...

Folks, if you've never been to a show, especially a show in a small club, read this book. The descriptions of the crowd, the feel of the place, the smells, the movement, the anticipation... it's all there. It's beautifully done, so much so that I'm jealous and in awe. I could never write scenes like this because it's too much a part of me. KL Going, though, walks in and lays it out just right.

Even though I was never a Fat Kid, myself, I found that I related to Troy. The paranoia that everyone's watching you, judging you, laughing at you. (at least no one patted him on the head and told him he was cute!) As Troy grows and changes, we see him setting his world *right*, for the first time since the death of his mother.

This is a good thing.

This is an excellent book. One I'm going to be buying a second copy of, and putting on my shelf.

Thanks, Morsie, for sharing it with me. You nailed it, girlfriend.

Thank you WoM for sharing this with me. It looks like a quick but good read. I can't wait to delve in. :)

This book was calling me even though I haven't had it long. I think Troy was telling me to read about him and Curt. They wanted to show me how it felt to live in this world as they do. Troy is the fat kid and he is sure everyone is always staring at him and making fun of him. He thinks they should because what isn't funny about a 300 pound 6 ft 1 in 17 year old. Curt comes into his life at exactly the right time. Right before he jumps off in front of a subway train. Curt is a legend at Troy's school. He is this awesome guitar god and also a guy who doesn't give a shit what others think of him. Curt is also homeless at the moment. For some reason Curt sees potential in Troy and wants to form a band with him. Nevermind that Troy can't play an instrument well. Although he used to play drums back in junior high. Somehow over the next few weeks they form a friendship of sorts. Curt comes around when he wants dinner or to practice. During all this we see how Curt is as person. He is a prescription drug addict who is crying for help since his family gave up on him long ago. Through Troy's dad and brother he gets to see how a "normal' family lives and starts to feel like he belongs.
This was a heart tugging story. I can't wait to share this with someone else.

Book arrived today. After reading all the reviews here, I really look forward to reading it.

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good read. Realistic fiction with a look into the world of teens who do not fit in or conform to what society accepts as the norm. Instead of being about how society sees these kids it is more about how the kids see themselves and how they think society sees them. I love the way the author created the main characters of Troy and Curt and the humor that she used to write about them. I love the way that Troy evolves after becoming friends with Curt and learns to accept himself for who he is. Abrupt ending, but the possibilities are there!!


View all my reviews.

Hey, I am so happy to see this book getting around. I read a lot of rock and roll/blues etc books (on my profile).
WestofMars says: "if you've never been to a show - especially a show in a small club..." which brought me back to March 2009. 'Drove to Buffalo to see a true rock and roll legend at The Tralf. FANTASTIC show - for SEVENTEEN dollars! 'Couldn't believe the low cost. Great musicians, and so down to earth (we ended up parked next to their van - we knew it was them with Texas plates). We really like downtown Buffalo - 'doesn't deserve the bad rep.
I also had the privilege of visiting CBGB in NYC just before it closed for good. We need places like these.
If any of you come to Toronto, please check out Hugh's Room. Small - great people - NO Ticketmaster - you just call them up or book online on their site and you can cancel up to 48 hours, at NO charge. The way it should be. Tickets range from $12 to $80. I'll never again pay $200 plus to see plastic bands at the Air Canada Centre. That is Toronto's overblown/too corporate hockey arena.
Keep on rocking in the free world.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to Yourotherleft who chose it out of the Teen VBB @ BookObsessed.com.

Hope you enjoy it.

This came in the mail this week, and in a possibly totally unprecedented event in a house sinking under the weight of its TBR pile, I opened up the book to just to read the first couple sentences before I stuck it on the shelf for "later" and ended up getting totally hooked. I imagine I'll probably finish it in the next few days!

Thanks!

I loved, LOVED this book!

RABCKed it to ciloma. Hope you love it as much as I did!

Found this in the mailbox. Thanx a bunch!!!

Very cool....keep it going...as of June 2011, this book will have been circulation for FIVE years! ROCK ON!

I enjoyed reading this one. Great little story. Healing for all the main characters is always a great way to end things. Now to find a new home for this one...

On its way to Iwillrejoice

Arrived safely. Thank you!