Fat Kid Rules the World

So the last book I read was K.L. Going's Fat Kid Rules the World. This was really a wonderful book - with fun punk references, lots of humor, vivid descriptions of NYC, and an amazing human story. I actually cried, and I am not a weeper.

The story involves 300-pound Troy, a high school senior who has no friends, a younger brother that doesn't want to be seen with him, an ex-Marine father, and a dead mom. He's a nothing, and is contemplating throwing himself into the path of a NY city subway when a former high school legend, Curt MacCrae, interrupts and begins talking with him. Curt is unnaturally skinny, dirty, and apparently sleeping in the subway. A punk rock guitar genius, Curt surprises Troy by asking him to start a punk band with him, playing the drums, though he's only last played percussion in the 7th grade band. The two form a strange and tenuous friendship, in which Troy learns about Curt's dysfunctional family life and prescription drug problem, while gaining more self confidence and learning more about his father and brother. For his part, Curt enjoys getting full meals at Troy's house and sharing his absolute love of music and punk perspective with him.

Issues include thoughts of suicide, mild sexuality, realistic profanity, drug abuse, teen homelessness, family problems, and teen obesity.