Ratings8
Average rating3.5
I absolutely loathed this book. It has a completely unrealistic view of fat kids based solely off of stereotypes. The kid is only 300 lbs. but can barely walk without feeling like dying? And he's described as being pretty tall, so all in all, he wouldn't be that big, fat-wise. Being a big person myself, I found this distasteful and think that [a: K.L. Going 1046844 K.L. Going https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1441823199p2/1046844.jpg] should have done a little more field research before making the easily lovable main character one big fat joke.–Update 9/2016: I keep getting hits on this review, and comments like I have no idea what a fat person is. I was offended because I am an obese and tall person and felt this book did not portray what I have experienced in my own life accurately. Of course, this is based on personal opinion and experience but that's what a review is. You can disagree.
I guess I read 2 YA books in a row that I'm afraid ~glamorize homelessness.~ Or is it empowering homelessness? Maybe I need to check my home-having privilege :(
Anyway I read this book because John Green recommended it. I thought it was pretty funny and engaging, and a super fast read. It's kind of sparsely-written but Going gives enough details to let you piece together pretty good characterizations of Troy (the titular fat kid) and Curt (the mostly-homeless kid who stops Troy from jumping in front of a train).
Also it is cool that it doesn't end with the Fat Kid losing weight and becoming popular! (spoiler?)