Rating: 
Summary: fat kid wins over hearts and cynics everywhere
Review: i loved this book. the way the author was able to crawl inside the head of her main character and make you feel what he feels is a true gift. she took a group of characters i have nothing in common with and made me love them. even the characters i started out not liking, like dayle and dad, i ended up loving. what a sweet, sweet book. if you liked a sweet, uplifting story with memorable characters that you don't want to believe aren't real people, then this is the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Fat Kid Rules the World
Review: PARENTS BEWARE!I am digustd with this book. I would urge all parents to read this book before they let their children. This book is in my childs junior high school. I am working to get it removed. The language is the most horrible I have ever read. I am about 1/2 way through the book. The fowl language starts on page 3 and is on almost every page I have read so far. While this book may be a story young people like to read I think it would have been just as effective without the fowl language. Most adults would never approve of their children using this type of language so I don't feel it's okay for kids (junior high)to read this.
Rating:
Summary: Going's Novel Rules the World
Review: The book hooked me. Somehow, I came to care deeply about a punker drug addict and an obese(...). Even the more minor characters-- a football jock with an attitude and a gung ho marine dad-- were drawn so well that they totally grew on me. The author's great descriptions made me feel a part of their punk-rock world. I kept turning the pages to see how things would turn out for these characters I grew so fond of, and read the entire book in 2 days. A terrific debut novel. I can't wait for Going's next one.
Rating:
Summary: checkers 1
Review: The ultimate love letter to a rocker long dead. Remembering reading a myriad of different reviews for this book when it first came out, I can recall some of the strongest criticism of it at the time. "Oh the book's too adoring of Kurt Cobain". "Oh the book spends too much time idealizing a dead drugged out rocker". "Oh the book can't be good because it's subject is so grimy". I'm paraphrasing of course, but these were the general comments directed at K.L. Going's first young adult novel. So I picked it up and read it and found that I relearned something that I need to constantly be reminded of time and again. Sometimes reviewers haven't a clue about really well written and worthwhile material. With that statement in mind (and me perfectly aware that I'm going to follow it up with, bum bum ba dum, a review) I present to you a book that I felt was deeply moving, touching, and downright hilarious. We open with our hero, Troy Billings, contemplating whether or not his suicide in front of a subway train will be amusing to the passersby. Troy is, after all, gargantuan. He's seventeen, six feet tall, and about three hundred pounds. He's lived his life in the face of constant ridicule and for once he's contemplating ending it there and then. His life is spared, however, by a chance meeting with a dirty grungy krustypunk kid sitting on the ground. This kid, as it turns out, is Curt MacCrae, local dropout rock god. An unlikely friendship blooms between these two, and Curt becomes absolutely 100 percent convinced that Troy is the drummer for him. Troy, of course, hasn't touched drums since the seventh grade, but Curt is oblivious to the problem. As the book follows these characters, Curt saves Troy's life in a myriad of different ways and Troy, ultimately, finds a way to save Curt's. This is the ultimate anti-b.s. book. Troy says exactly what he's thinking without fooling either himself or the reader. No fool, Troy is constantly aware that people find him peculiar to look at. To the book's credit, when Troy is convinced that something is going to fail he sometimes does. And Troy is capable of some magnificent failures in this story. At the same time, he's witty and urbane. And [attractive]. This guy is like any other seventeen year-old boy, and he's really got a thing for the wrists of attractive waitresses. The book uses slang without sounding dated or affected, and there's enough good natured profanity to lure kids into reading it. Curt is also the perfect spaz foil to Troy's oversized self. A sneaky slimy but ultimately fantastic friend to T (as he likes to call Troy) Curt is what Kurt Cobain could have become if he'd just befriended someone like the T-man at age twenty. You never doubt Curt's love for his new friend, even though his steadfast acceptance of Troy and all of Troy's fears is somewhat difficult to understand. Troy himself doesn't understand it fully, but it's everything he's ever wanted. This is the story of the unpopular fat kid getting picked by the popular punk at school and how it changes both their lives. I was hoping to get all the way through the book without hitting any snags or plot devices. For the most part, this book's pretty snag free. Sadly, though the book was written by a woman, the women portrayed in the story are few and far between. They pretty much end up being either waitresses or groupies. Hopefully Going's next book will give her gender a little more breathing room. Also, after reading through this tale I did end up wishing that Going had left it up to the reader to understand why Troy gained weight after his mother's death without explaining it, but it ties in nicely with the ways in which Troy's dad and brother also dealt with the tragedy. I loved how Troy could detect fear or emotional distress while watching others eat. And I just liked Troy. He's a likable guy, which is a huge bonus if you're going to read a book like this. If you didn't like either Troy or Curt you'd have a rough time getting through the story. Fortunately, Going is a skilled enough writer that you can read Troy's many worries and fears about his size without finding him whiny or oppressive. He has a sardonic sense of humor that saves him every time. I was disappointed by the ending of the book, though. Up until then, I had been pleased to see that Going wasn't making anything easy for her characters. Unfortunately the finale (and I won't give it away) seems a bit too pat. Too neat. And, in a way, too easy. I didn't want an unhappy ending, mind you, but I didn't like the way in which Troy instantly becomes close to his father and brother after years of estrangement. One last note on Going's writing. This is a woman who knows how to write a good musical sequence. I haven't read such poetic descriptions of rock since Emma Bull's lively, "War of the Oaks". This is a woman who knows how to make the pages wail with sound and color. When Troy feels elated at his first concert, you stand right there feeling elated with him. The book's all right. It's perhaps not the best teen novel out there these days, but it's a pretty good one just the same. I suggest you try it on for size. Even if you can't stand rock or Nirvana, this tale has the ability to take you out of yourself and into the head of a three hundred pound boy. It's an experience to enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Nirvana + One Fat Kid =
Review: The ultimate love letter to a rocker long dead. Remembering reading a myriad of different reviews for this book when it first came out, I can recall some of the strongest criticism of it at the time. "Oh the book's too adoring of Kurt Cobain". "Oh the book spends too much time idealizing a dead drugged out rocker". "Oh the book can't be good because it's subject is so grimy". I'm paraphrasing of course, but these were the general comments directed at K.L. Going's first young adult novel. So I picked it up and read it and found that I relearned something that I need to constantly be reminded of time and again. Sometimes reviewers haven't a clue about really well written and worthwhile material. With that statement in mind (and me perfectly aware that I'm going to follow it up with, bum bum ba dum, a review) I present to you a book that I felt was deeply moving, touching, and downright hilarious. We open with our hero, Troy Billings, contemplating whether or not his suicide in front of a subway train will be amusing to the passersby. Troy is, after all, gargantuan. He's seventeen, six feet tall, and about three hundred pounds. He's lived his life in the face of constant ridicule and for once he's contemplating ending it there and then. His life is spared, however, by a chance meeting with a dirty grungy krustypunk kid sitting on the ground. This kid, as it turns out, is Curt MacCrae, local dropout rock god. An unlikely friendship blooms between these two, and Curt becomes absolutely 100 percent convinced that Troy is the drummer for him. Troy, of course, hasn't touched drums since the seventh grade, but Curt is oblivious to the problem. As the book follows these characters, Curt saves Troy's life in a myriad of different ways and Troy, ultimately, finds a way to save Curt's. This is the ultimate anti-b.s. book. Troy says exactly what he's thinking without fooling either himself or the reader. No fool, Troy is constantly aware that people find him peculiar to look at. To the book's credit, when Troy is convinced that something is going to fail he sometimes does. And Troy is capable of some magnificent failures in this story. At the same time, he's witty and urbane. And [attractive]. This guy is like any other seventeen year-old boy, and he's really got a thing for the wrists of attractive waitresses. The book uses slang without sounding dated or affected, and there's enough good natured profanity to lure kids into reading it. Curt is also the perfect spaz foil to Troy's oversized self. A sneaky slimy but ultimately fantastic friend to T (as he likes to call Troy) Curt is what Kurt Cobain could have become if he'd just befriended someone like the T-man at age twenty. You never doubt Curt's love for his new friend, even though his steadfast acceptance of Troy and all of Troy's fears is somewhat difficult to understand. Troy himself doesn't understand it fully, but it's everything he's ever wanted. This is the story of the unpopular fat kid getting picked by the popular punk at school and how it changes both their lives. I was hoping to get all the way through the book without hitting any snags or plot devices. For the most part, this book's pretty snag free. Sadly, though the book was written by a woman, the women portrayed in the story are few and far between. They pretty much end up being either waitresses or groupies. Hopefully Going's next book will give her gender a little more breathing room. Also, after reading through this tale I did end up wishing that Going had left it up to the reader to understand why Troy gained weight after his mother's death without explaining it, but it ties in nicely with the ways in which Troy's dad and brother also dealt with the tragedy. I loved how Troy could detect fear or emotional distress while watching others eat. And I just liked Troy. He's a likable guy, which is a huge bonus if you're going to read a book like this. If you didn't like either Troy or Curt you'd have a rough time getting through the story. Fortunately, Going is a skilled enough writer that you can read Troy's many worries and fears about his size without finding him whiny or oppressive. He has a sardonic sense of humor that saves him every time. I was disappointed by the ending of the book, though. Up until then, I had been pleased to see that Going wasn't making anything easy for her characters. Unfortunately the finale (and I won't give it away) seems a bit too pat. Too neat. And, in a way, too easy. I didn't want an unhappy ending, mind you, but I didn't like the way in which Troy instantly becomes close to his father and brother after years of estrangement. One last note on Going's writing. This is a woman who knows how to write a good musical sequence. I haven't read such poetic descriptions of rock since Emma Bull's lively, "War of the Oaks". This is a woman who knows how to make the pages wail with sound and color. When Troy feels elated at his first concert, you stand right there feeling elated with him. The book's all right. It's perhaps not the best teen novel out there these days, but it's a pretty good one just the same. I suggest you try it on for size. Even if you can't stand rock or Nirvana, this tale has the ability to take you out of yourself and into the head of a three hundred pound boy. It's an experience to enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Fat kid rules the world-a review from me
Review: This book is pretty interesting except for the few times it loses you near the start of the book.I'm sure you've heard of,or read a lot of books with 14 year old ignorant dreams. This book isn't like those books.
This book isn't that funny;allthough, I did smudge a few snickers out from the first few chapters' sardonic sence of humour.
I'm especially happy with this book because Troy becomes a winner without dropping a few hundred pounds.
There isn't THAT much swearing in this book. I've read other books with a lot more obscene language in them than this book.
Besides, I'm sure most junior high students hear swearing every day. Still, if you're gonna read, be prepared.
I liked how the characters had bad days and good days, and how their emotion came off of that too.
This book also has a tiny bit of hidden depths to it. Like when that Ollie character said, " I think it's okay you don't get caught up in the B. S. You don't look like the kind of guy who'd get caught up in all that."(If you read the book you'll know what he's talking about. Unfortunately the book has minor thoughts like that, and not a lot of them.
As for the Kurt Cobain thing. The only place I can remember a mentioning of him was in the acknowledgements section. This book isn't obsessed with Nirvana unlike some disturbing way- over- the- obsessed-line biographies. But hmmnnnn, I figured the Curt/Kurt thing from the start.
Overall I'd give this book three and a half stars. I'd think the reading age would be around late junior high to early high school. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes music,and is looking for a quick, easy(not in a demeaning way) read.
The reason I held back on the rating is because the book seemed to lack something. Maybe the book wasn't long enough. I wish the author dug a bit deeper into all of the characters, but I get the feeling the book's not supposed to be like that. I guess It's kinda nice how it revolves around two people. The way the characters cleared their thoughts and ideas up in short sentences (usually containing a swear and a helping verb) was surprisingly..........what's the word I'm looking for....entertaining. Get the book and see what you think.
Rating:
Summary: 2004 Honor Book? Yes it is
Review: This book is recommended by the Young Adult Library Services Association and was an Honor Book for the 2004 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. Having said all that I would enthusiastically recommend this book to adults and young adults. I listened to the unabridged audio cassette version. Yes, there is some profanity but it is not gratuitous and it is used for effect. This story is about two addicted boys who find each other and try to redeem each other. The path to redemption is not easy and paved with resistance by each of them to the other's attempts. It is an awkward alliance. Troy, the Fat Kid, is saved by Curt, the skinny rock legend, who has a predilection for prescription meds. When Troy embraces life and actually loves living he tries to repay the favor for Curt. However, Curt will have no part of it. The plot is craftily told. Lots of surprises. The author did a great job of making the everyday life of "outcast" teenage boys exciting. The character in the story who stands out is Troy's dad, a former Marine. The author portrays him as the Dad we would all like to have. One of those books you are sad to see end.
Rating:
Summary: Thin Author Rules!!
Review: This is a great story. I picked it up after meeting Ms. Going who ironically is a petite individual. That may be why I picked it up, but the story was why I kept reading. It was one of the most irrestible, I-want-to-keep-reading books that I've read in a long time. The language is occasionally foul, though accurate for the characters (I only mention for readers who don't want books with any four-letter words). Short, funny chapters make you keep wanting to read just one more, and just one more. I just want to know when Going is going to write another book (no pun intended)!!
Rating:
Summary: Fat Kid Rules!
Review: This is an impressive debut novel from author, K. L. Going. Curt and Troy (aka Fat Kid) have formed an unlikely partnership to start a new punk rock band. Curt is already a legend and inexplicably has chosen Troy to be his new drummer. Curt's decision seems odd considering the fact that Troy doesn't know how to play drums and is consumed with self loathing over his obesity. But Curt keeps the faith, even after a memorable debut performance during which Troy vomits profusely over his drum set. But Troy isn't the only one consumed with fear. Curt is homeless and barely surviving living on the street, but he refuses to allow anyone to help him for long. Curt and Troy are both on a journey to learn how to conquer their inner demons. This is a story about faith, family, and conquering the fear that paralyzes you from accomplishing your dreams.
Rating:
Summary: Fat Kid Rules!
Review: This is an impressive debut novel from author, K. L. Going. Curt and Troy (aka Fat Kid) have formed an unlikely partnership to start a new punk rock band. Curt is already a legend and inexplicably has chosen Troy to be his new drummer. Curt's decision seems odd considering the fact that Troy doesn't know how to play drums and is consumed with self loathing over his obesity. But Curt keeps the faith, even after a memorable debut performance during which Troy vomits profusely over his drum set. But Troy isn't the only one consumed with fear. Curt is homeless and barely surviving living on the street, but he refuses to allow anyone to help him for long. Curt and Troy are both on a journey to learn how to conquer their inner demons. This is a story about faith, family, and conquering the fear that paralyzes you from accomplishing your dreams.
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