Rating: 
Summary: Richie's Picks: FAT KID RULES THE WORLD
Review: "I'm a sweating fat kid standing on the edge of the subway platform staring at the tracks. I'm seventeen years old, weigh 296 pounds, and I'm six foot one. I have a crew cut, yes a crew cut, sallow skin, and the kind of mouth that puckers when I breathe. I'm wearing a shirt that reads MIAMI BEACH--SPRING BREAK 1997, and huge, bland tan pants--the only kind of pants I own. Eight pairs, all tan." As this head-bashing-yet-really-sweet-tale hits its first screeching chord progression, seventeen year-old Troy Billings contemplates jumping in front of an approaching subway train. A once average-sized child, he has eaten his way through years of depression after the death of his mother. Raised by his father, who is a retired military officer, and having experienced unrelenting contempt from a younger brother, who is a popular jock, Troy is certain that everyone is constantly eyeing him and laughing. "First, the train is coming, its single headlight illuminating the dark tracks. I hear its deep rumble and take the fateful step forward. I want to picture myself flying dramatically through the air but realize I wouldn't have the muscle power to launch my body. Instead, I would plummet straight down. Maybe I wouldn't even get my other leg off the platform--my weight would pull me down like an anchor. That's how I see it." But Troy does not jump. Or plummet. His plans are rudely interrupted by the "disembodied voice" of a skinny teenager--Curt MacCrae--who is sitting in the dark behind him. "He looks like a blond ferret. Stringy unwashed hair and huge eyes, jeans that are barely recognizable, stained white T-shirt, huge red overshirt, ratty old sweater...The sneakers, one Converse and one Nike, are both untied and the layers are all partially buttoned even though it's got to be one hundred degrees in the subway. The guy is so filthy I can hardly look at him. I mean, he's caked--looks like an old war victim from some black and white film." Curt, this majorly poor example of good hygiene, is a homeless, locally legendary punk guitarist who disappeared from the high school Troy attends. He is also a walking pharmacy. (He believes in self-inflicted health care.) Curt demands lunch from Troy for saving his life, and then informs the enormous young man that he, Troy, is to be the drummer in Curt's new band--a duo named Rage/Tectonic. That Troy has not played the drums since junior high is irrelevant--at least to Curt. As Troy tries to conceive of a different self-image for himself and tries to overcome his paralyzing fears of what he believes everyone else is thinking of him, Curt's dicey health and his dicey relationship with Troy's dad and brother Dayle kept me alternately holding my breath and laughing so hard that I could barely catch it. Though much of Curt's on-the-fringe lifestyle remains an enigma to both Troy and to us, we do get vivid glimpses of the grunge and the glamor associated with being a teenage punk musician. " 'You are punk rock, T. You just don't know it yet, and I don't know how to convince you.' " FAT KID RULES THE WORLD is totally phat! While the joyfulness and quirkiness of the story and the body image issue may allow for grouping this book with some others you've read before, K. L. Going is truly a new voice on the YA scene. Richie Partington ...
Rating: 
Summary: Going ... Going ... Gone!!
Review: "I'm ready to give him full credit and be on my way, mosey along to contemplate some new nonfunny form of suicide (FAT KID GETS HIT BY A BUS?), but the blond ferret stands up and extends a grimy hand. "Curt MacCrae," he says. That's when I just about piss my pants. Curt MacCrae is a legend at W.T. Watson High School. He's the only truly homeless, sometimes student, sometimes dropout, punk rock, artist god among us." K.L. Going's Fat Kid Rules the World is an engaging, page-turning read from a new author on the Young Adult scene. Troy Billings (a.k.a. the Fat Kid) is 6' 1", weighs 300 pounds, and spends most of his waking hours trying to determine how to end what he sees as his useless life. The novel begins with Troy contemplating sucide in a Manhattan subway station, only to be interrupted by Curt MacCrae and presented with Curt's vision for Troy's future: "Big T" will become the drummer in Curt's punk rock band, Rage/Tectonic. The catch? Troy can't play the drums to save his life, but, to Curt, that's no big deal. Over the course of 183 pages (Hardcover Edition), Going takes a deep look at the impact of life, death, obesity, family dysfunction, drug abuse, and the love of music on two high school seniors. The narrative moves along quickly, with some chapters as short as two or three paragraphs. Going's characters are multi-dimensional -- both flawed and passionate -- lending a strong, realistic tone to the story. The interactions between Troy; Curt; Troy's younger brother, Dayle; Troy's father (an ex-Marine now working as a security consultant); and Curt's mother and stepfather are eerily true to life for many young adults who have lost parents or come from broken homes. Fat Kid is definitely a Young Adult novel, suited for readers aged 15 and above. Parents who monitor their children's reading tastes should be aware that Going's language reflects High School in the 21st Century, with somewhat liberal usage of cursing, not-so-vague descriptions of sexual situations, a quick (and needless) swipe at "born-again Christians," and a very true to life picturization of the punk rock scene. Fat Kid also deals with drug abuse (including prescription and OTC medicines), loss of a parent, and homelessness. Language and sexuality aside, Going has crafted a marvelous debut novel that should spark intense discussions among teens, their peers, and (hopefully) parents about self-image, self-acceptance, health and well-being, and family dynamics. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A great YA read
Review: After reading the whole book (somehow I think this would be an important prerequisite for rating it...see "A Reader" review)...and not seeing any "fowl" language, in the bird sense, at least... I can say this was a great hook book for middle school reluctant readers. Without being "preachy",the whole of it had only positive messages to give our most influenced of adolescents.
The main character, Troy does a great job of showing how easily we can obsess on our flaws, and let this obsession color everything we see. Curt is a great character to show the power of music (and punk) and the innate need in all of us for friendship and family -- without needing the reader to internally save him. My favorite character, however and undoubtedly, was the father, a good man in all senses of the word... (And it's great to see books that show how many good families are still out there)
This book made me laugh, made me cry, and made me, most especially, think. It kept me reading (I couldn't put in down)most importantly.
The only issue I could take up was the somewhat stereotypical portrayal of punk being involved with drugs... Ever hear of "Staight Edge"???
Overall, though, a great book. Definitely worth reading!
Rating:
Summary: A CANDID STORY SYMPATHETICALLY READ
Review: Being different is tough on a kid. It's even tougher when your difference is in pounds, when you're not only "pleasingly plump" but just plain fat - 17-years-old, six-foot one inch, and 296 pounds. Some couldn't take being in that condition, and it seemed that Troy Billings was one of those. He was so depressed that he stood on a subway platform and thought about throwing himself in front of a train. Film and television actor Matthew Lillard gives superlative voice to Troy and Curt MacCrae, the skinny punk guitar player who comes along just in the nick of time. Troy is pleased that someone, anyone would take an interest in him, especially Curt. Before long Troy has become the drummer in Curt's new band. Troy hasn't touched drums in a few years, but no matter. It does matter to Troy's Dad who thinks Curt's a no-good, and to Troy's brother who thinks his fat sibling is one big loser. Despite opposition Curt's energy and enthusiasm never wane. Can he pull it off, and can Troy help him do so? - Gail Cooke
Rating:
Summary: Fun with Fat Kid
Review: From the first sentence of "Fat kid" I was hooked.
KL Going gives us sights, sounds, smells, and a vivid telling of a tale of two mismatched friends and their adventure to form a band and play a successful gig. The first person telling took me into Troy's (the fat kid) mind and heart and allowed me to peer into his world. Living the good and the bad experiences in the tumultious weeks spent with him. I enjoyed reading this story and found myself laughing out loud often. I think we've all known a Troy in our lives. Here we get to walk with him and get his thoughts on the situations he finds himself in. Including the whirlwind his new friend Curt takes him on. All the while wondering if Curt is for real, after all, who could like the fat kid?
We all do Troy, we all do. I recommend this story to anyone interested in a fun uplifting tale about life, music, and personal triumph. 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: What a Fantastic Read
Review: I just finished reading Fat Kid Rules the World and am still laughing. I love Troy Billings great sense of humor (even as he ponders suicide)! Yet I feel the overwhelming sadness underneath his armor coat. Troy and his unlikely friend Curt teach the reader much about acceptance and tolerance of those who seem "different" from ourselves. Through K.L. Going's characters we learn that on the inside we are all pretty much the same. As I can attest, Fat Kid appeals to adults as well as to young adults. Going's writing style flows easily and is very conducive to either short or long reading sessions (short sessions only if you have the will power to stop at the end of a chapter).
Rating:
Summary: K.L. Rules the World!
Review: I just finishing the book yesterday. It was really good. The characters were developed very well. The descriptions of events in the book were vivid and easy to imagine. I can't wait for my copy of the audio book to arrive. I want to hear how Matthew Lillard sounds reading it. Good choice, by the way, due to his role in SLC Punk. One last thing, K.L. Going Rocks!
Rating:
Summary: Book Review
Review: I loved Fat Kid Rules The World. It was the kind of book where I wanted to find out what happened, but I didn't want the book to end. Sure, there was swearing. Sure, there was refrences to things I probably shouldn't talk about, but they all were emphasis to Troy's world. Going does, indeed, have a colorful way with words in many respects. I would recomend this book to anyone, especially musicians.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I loved this book! I fell in love with the characters. I actually laughed out loud and cried.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I loved this book! I fell in love with the characters. I actually laughed out loud and cried.
| 
