Nazareth Blogger Katie reviews Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

Hello TBF readers!  My name is Katie Ducett, and I am so excited to tell you about a book that I just finished reading!  Before I do that, let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I am a Chemistry and Special Education teacher currently in graduate school to become a Literacy Specialist.  In one of the classes I am taking, I had to read a book by an author who is going to be at the Teen Book Festival this year so I could tell you guys why you should read it.  So here it is!

I read the book Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going.  There are a few reasons that I chose this book to read.  For one thing, I was very intrigued by the title and the design of the cover.     As you can see the cover has a picture of a drum set.  I love music and was excited to see that the book might be about music. 

This book takes a look a deep look into the insecurities that adolescents deal with on a daily basis.  Issues such as bullying, suicide, depression, and drugs are all looked at throughout this book.  From the very first line in the book I knew that this was going to be dealing with topics like this: “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” (1).

This quote was said by the main character Troy, a boy who’s family dealt with a huge loss years before, and due to that loss is hurting and going through depression.  We follow Troy on his adventure through life, trying to realize who he is and what his purpose is.  He meets the other main character, Curt, a homeless boy who lacks real stability in any form in his life, until he meets Troy, Troy’s father, and Troy’s brother Dayle. 

The unexpected friendship between Troy and Curt grows as they form a band.  Funny part is, Troy has never played the drums before.  They do not let that stop them from trying to make things work, all the while discovering new things about themselves.  Troy really moves strides in his self-esteem throughout the book, realizing that he may not really be as big of a spectacle as he thought in the beginning.  This was very prevalent when he went to his first concert towards the middle of the book. 

“With one gesture I’ve moved from the world of imagination to the world of funky sweat stench and ear-ringing volume.  The guitars screech, the sound shakes the club, and the best part is, no one’s looking at me.  I’m six-foot-one, three hundred pounds, and no one is looking at me.”

I hope you give this book a shot!  It was really fun to read and helps you to look at yourself and people around you in a new way!

Be sure to check out Fat Kid Rules the World at your local library!