Fat Kid Rules the World
Common Sense Note
There are a lot of issues here to discuss with your teen: teen suicide, drugs, homelessness, abuse. A most interesting feature is that the one adult character, Troy's father, though at first depicted from Troy's point of view as rigid and angry, is seen entirely different through Curt's eyes. Teens may have cause to reassess their opinions of their own parents.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
Though told by Troy, this is really the story of Curt, surely the most charming homeless teen junkie guitar-god in literature. Devious, brilliantly talented, weirdly wise, slightly insane, leading a nightmare life, a tornado of energy and need, Curt is an original, and horrifyingly delightful, character.
Though depressed and at times self-pitying, Troy has a sense of humor, shown best in his frequent imagined headlines about himself: "Fat Kid Messes Up," "Fat Kid Makes an Effort," etc. He sees everything in his life through the lens of his weight, but doesn't even consider doing anything about it. He was skinny before his mother died, now he's fat, and that's it. With no pat ending in sight, the author doesn't even hint at a reason, or a solution. As Curt says, "This isn't some after-school special where you learn to love yourself ... Life ain't Hollywood."
In fact, despite this seemingly loud and crazed storyline, first-time novelist Going is ingeniously subtle. Troy's father, ex-military, is a rigid stereotype in Troy's, and for a while the reader's, eyes. But from Curt's point of view, and in the midst of crisis, his faults morph into virtues without too much gong-beating from the author. As often happens when we meet someone who has real problems, Curt brings with him a dramatic perspective shift, and young readers may have cause to reassess their opinions of their own parents.
From the Book:
I know Curt's uncomfortable because he's restrained. He doesn't show any excitement except in the corners of his eyes, and he's very careful to sit still. His napkin falls off his lap repeatedly and every time it does he glares at it as if it's betrayed him. When he bends down to pick it up he tries not to bend his body, as if that might count as too much movement. Soon he's engaged in an all-out secret battle with the napkin that culminates in a covert stabbing with his fork.
Plot Summary:
Troy, a 300-pound high-schooler, is contemplating jumping in front of a train when he meets Curt, an emaciated, homeless, guitar-playing, drop-out legend in his school. Before he knows what has hit him, Troy has agreed to be the drummer in a new band Curt is forming, despite not playing drums. With a faith in him that Troy doesn't understand, Curt is Troy's nightmare and dream come true, often at the same time.
Though Troy's father suspects that Curt's a junkie, he ultimately supports Troy's efforts to learn the drums, the first thing he has seemed interested in since his mother died. But getting involved in Curt's world of punk rock and street life is more than any of them bargained for.
Related Books:
Teens Find Weird Friends
The Woman in the Wall by Patrice Kindl
Big Mouth & Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates
Stoner & Spaz by Ron Koertge
You Don't Know Me by David Klass
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn
3 Days Off by Susie Morgenstern
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Sexual ContentTroy has sexual fantasies. A reference to masturbation. |
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ViolenceIt's implied that Curt has been abused. Troy graphically imagines jumping in front of a train. |
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LanguagePlenty. |
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Social BehaviorSkipping school. Troy considers suicide. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoCurt is probably a junkie, at least abusing prescription drugs, and smokes a joint. Some smoking . Troy and others drink. |
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