fat kid rules the world

Reader Response to Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

Front cover reads:
"Troy Billings, a six-foot-one, 296 pounds, is standing at the edge of a subway platform, seriously contemplating suicide, when he meets Curt MacCrae--an emaciated, semi-homeless punk guitar genius who also happens to be a dropout legend at Troy's high school on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

"I saved your life," Curt tells Troy. "You owe me lunch."
Troy can't imagine refusing; after all, think of the headline: FAT KID ARGUES WITH PIECE OF TWINE.

But lunch with Curt brings more than he bargained for. Suddenly, Troy finds himself recruited aas Curt's drummer for his new band. "We'll be called Rage/Tectonic. Sort of punk rock, Clash sort of thing," Curt tells him.

There's only one problem. Troy can't play the drums. Oh yes, and Troy's father thinks Curt's a drug addict. And Troy's brother thinks Troy's a loser.

But With Curt, any thing is possible. "You'll see," says Curt. "We're giong to be HUGE." Fortunately, mercurial Curt has an energy, enthusiasm, and wisdom that is an irresistible as it is contagious. Before long, Troy is swept up by his desire to be everything Curt believes him to be."

My RXN:
Wow. lots of swearing, and some drug use, but what else can you expect from a book describing a few months in the life of a dirty little street punk and his attempts to save the Fat Kid? lotsa F-bombs, but not one C-bomb, so it's ok. LOVE IT. it so real! Going describes feelings of a mosher with realistic clarity and enthusiasm:

"It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my entire life. The band raises the challenge and the mass of bodies gives its answer trhough the smashing of fists, faces, arms, and legs. People are hitting me from all sides, careening into me, then crashing off again, but I just stand there. It hurts, but in a good way. The kind of way that makes you pissed at the world. Makes you think you could turn around and smash them back. I start to move, ever so slightly, then harder, wilder.... I pound my fist into the air and holler until I think someone can hear me" (93).

this is an awsome book that any punk rock fan can wrench off the shelves and enjoy. It has the positive upbeat feeling of Hoot minus all the hoakey bullshit. The book is filled with realistic tension that keeps you wondering. It's a fast read(183 pages), and I don't remember it dragging at all.

It wins the Word Nerd Seal of Approval, but I'm not sure I would use it to teach a lesson in my classroom. I would highly recommend it to students, though- if not to let them know that I can relate to them, at least to teach them that I'm a recovering punk rocker. :)