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Fat Kid Rules the World
This Michael L. Printz Honor Book and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year is an engaging debut--the story of two unlikely friends who meet when a high-school dropout talks a boy out of suicide and who ultimately save each other.
185 pages, Library Binding
First published June 23, 2003
145 people are currently reading
8679 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Going
27 books261 followersK.L. Going is the award winning author of numerous books for children and teens. Her first novel, Fat Kid Rules the World was named a Michael Printz Honor Book by the American Library Association, and was included on YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults list and their list of Best Books for the Past Decade. Her books have been Booksense picks, Scholastic Book Club choices, Junior Library Guild selections, NY Public Library Best Books for the Teenage, and winners of state book awards. They’ve been featured by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Children's Book Council as Best Books of the year. Her work has also been published in Korea, Italy, Japan, Germany, and the UK, and her novel Fat Kid Rules the World is soon to be an independent film!
K.L. began her career working at one of the oldest literary agencies in New York City. She used this inner knowledge of publishing to write Writing and Selling the Young Adult Novel -- a how-to book for aspiring writers, published by Writer's Digest. She has also written short stories for several anthologies and currently has multiple picture books under contract. She lives in Glen Spey, NY where she both writes and runs a business critiquing manuscripts. She’s also a mom to the world’s cutest little boy.
To visit KL on-line go to www.klgoing.com, www.facebook.com/klgoing, or at http://twitter.com/#!/KLGoing.
K.L. began her career working at one of the oldest literary agencies in New York City. She used this inner knowledge of publishing to write Writing and Selling the Young Adult Novel -- a how-to book for aspiring writers, published by Writer's Digest. She has also written short stories for several anthologies and currently has multiple picture books under contract. She lives in Glen Spey, NY where she both writes and runs a business critiquing manuscripts. She’s also a mom to the world’s cutest little boy.
To visit KL on-line go to www.klgoing.com, www.facebook.com/klgoing, or at http://twitter.com/#!/KLGoing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 766 reviews
June 13, 2017
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 K.L. Going should have done a little more field research before making the easily lovable main character one big fat joke.
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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.
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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.
February 24, 2011
Confession #1: I found Fat Kid Rules the World from putting in "Matthew Lillard" into goodreads. Somehow, I didn't realize that Lillard read the audio book until after I picked up the printed book for me, myself and I to read (I passed it to my twin to read first. I'm not selfish. She doesn't like to read books I've read first, for some reason).
Useless backstory trivia about me: Lauren has been on a campaign to ruin my reputation for years and years (since the '90s!). She has this idea that I think I have cool taste and she wants people to know that I don't. The best way to do this was to tell everyone that I'm a died in the wool Matthew Lillard fan. (My attempt at retaliation backfired. I tell people she is a devoted Ted Nugent fan. "So? I've got Cat Scratch Fever. What of it?" She cannot be bested
!) Somehow I became a Matthew Lillard fan after all of those birthdays and Christmases of Matthew Lillard presents. If I can't beat 'em...
Anyway, Lillard does the audio. I wish that I had listened to the audio. I get the feeling that Fat Kid Rules the World would have endeared itself to me many times over that way. As is it is a four star book on my goodreads bookshelf.
Does anyone remember that great speech that Buffy gives to Jonathan when he wants to kill himself? She thinks he's going to take out the other kids with a rifle from the school clocktower. It's all about how people don't hear other people's pain 'cause they are busy with their own. Fat Kid is like that speech. That's a great message.
But I'm busy with my own pain! I liked the book an awful lot. It just didn't engage me more past that... I don't know... Message? Like when you see someone on the street and you nod your head in respect but they don't take you home with them. Funny, that was the whole point of the book, that you don't see into other people. That thinking too hard can drown out what is happening. I can't ever see enough. But it is hard to take it all at once. It is tiring. I'm sure Matthew Lillard agrees with me. There's always other chances, though.
Curt was totally based on Kurt Cobain. He definitely got tired.
Useless backstory trivia about me: Lauren has been on a campaign to ruin my reputation for years and years (since the '90s!). She has this idea that I think I have cool taste and she wants people to know that I don't. The best way to do this was to tell everyone that I'm a died in the wool Matthew Lillard fan. (My attempt at retaliation backfired. I tell people she is a devoted Ted Nugent fan. "So? I've got Cat Scratch Fever. What of it?" She cannot be bested
!) Somehow I became a Matthew Lillard fan after all of those birthdays and Christmases of Matthew Lillard presents. If I can't beat 'em...
Anyway, Lillard does the audio. I wish that I had listened to the audio. I get the feeling that Fat Kid Rules the World would have endeared itself to me many times over that way. As is it is a four star book on my goodreads bookshelf.
Does anyone remember that great speech that Buffy gives to Jonathan when he wants to kill himself? She thinks he's going to take out the other kids with a rifle from the school clocktower. It's all about how people don't hear other people's pain 'cause they are busy with their own. Fat Kid is like that speech. That's a great message.
But I'm busy with my own pain! I liked the book an awful lot. It just didn't engage me more past that... I don't know... Message? Like when you see someone on the street and you nod your head in respect but they don't take you home with them. Funny, that was the whole point of the book, that you don't see into other people. That thinking too hard can drown out what is happening. I can't ever see enough. But it is hard to take it all at once. It is tiring. I'm sure Matthew Lillard agrees with me. There's always other chances, though.
Curt was totally based on Kurt Cobain. He definitely got tired.
March 6, 2008
i saw this on someone else's goodreads and have been meaning to read it for a while... it's a "young adult" book so it took basically one day to read. i have mixed feelings. i always love books about teenagers coming into punk rock, it's such a liberation story, and one that i relate to - finally having a space to be yourself and not give a fuck and be part of something by embracing your outcast qualities. fuck yeah. i like that this book does not end with the fat kid losing weight, or even thinking about it, but instead becoming a punk rock drummer. the character of curt, the homeless guitar god, was almost realistic but ultimately kind of a fairy tale. the drug intervention felt convenient and moralistic.
the hardest thing about this book was the constant fat bashing that goes on in the main character's head, complete with these weird gimmicky headlines, like FAT KID EATS THE BIG ONE, FAT KID GETS PUMMELED BY MOB, FAT KID DIVES OFF THE FIRE ESCAPE, etc... so the thing is, it's realistic that fat would be the top thing on this kid's mind, and it's a hard line to walk to show how that plays out psychologically, without reducing every aspect of a person to that one thing. the author of this book is not fat, i checked out the picture in the back of the book, so it's all speculation and projection (although i guess she could have been fat as a teenager). i swear she describes every single part of his body as fat at one time or another, i'm surprised she didn't talk about fat eyeballs, fat teeth, fat fingernails. Also! this kid is 17, 300 pounds and six foot one - which, honestly, is a very big person, but is also not really as fat as she's trying to say he is. i don't know. it's hard to read and not internalize some of the fat hatred. but it's also kind of cool to witness someone at the depths of self hatred start to have a life. it's like a different version of the way my story could have played out.
this was a kid who had totally given up on life, didn't ahve any friends, any interests, hobbies, hopes and dreams, nothing... so this is really different from my experience as a teenager, which included the fat hatred and also included lots of times where i convinced myself that i wasn't that fat, or went on diets, or compared my body to other people, or decided it didn't matter, and eventually became a fat activist. none of this really happens in this book. but he does get some perspective on himself and inspiration from his magic-fairy friend curt who insists he be in a band with him. i don't know. i feel like there's some point i want to come to but i'm not sure what it is. it's a book for teenagers, and i think teenagers would like it. it's corny but also kind of great. i enjoyed it and was annoyed by it the whole time. that's all. :)
the hardest thing about this book was the constant fat bashing that goes on in the main character's head, complete with these weird gimmicky headlines, like FAT KID EATS THE BIG ONE, FAT KID GETS PUMMELED BY MOB, FAT KID DIVES OFF THE FIRE ESCAPE, etc... so the thing is, it's realistic that fat would be the top thing on this kid's mind, and it's a hard line to walk to show how that plays out psychologically, without reducing every aspect of a person to that one thing. the author of this book is not fat, i checked out the picture in the back of the book, so it's all speculation and projection (although i guess she could have been fat as a teenager). i swear she describes every single part of his body as fat at one time or another, i'm surprised she didn't talk about fat eyeballs, fat teeth, fat fingernails. Also! this kid is 17, 300 pounds and six foot one - which, honestly, is a very big person, but is also not really as fat as she's trying to say he is. i don't know. it's hard to read and not internalize some of the fat hatred. but it's also kind of cool to witness someone at the depths of self hatred start to have a life. it's like a different version of the way my story could have played out.
this was a kid who had totally given up on life, didn't ahve any friends, any interests, hobbies, hopes and dreams, nothing... so this is really different from my experience as a teenager, which included the fat hatred and also included lots of times where i convinced myself that i wasn't that fat, or went on diets, or compared my body to other people, or decided it didn't matter, and eventually became a fat activist. none of this really happens in this book. but he does get some perspective on himself and inspiration from his magic-fairy friend curt who insists he be in a band with him. i don't know. i feel like there's some point i want to come to but i'm not sure what it is. it's a book for teenagers, and i think teenagers would like it. it's corny but also kind of great. i enjoyed it and was annoyed by it the whole time. that's all. :)
September 18, 2008
I loved this book (Fat Kid Rules the World). Six-foot-one, 296-pound Troy is just looking for something that we're all searching for - acceptance. When he meets Curt, a mostly homeless punk prodigy who decides that Troy is going to be his drummer (even though Troy hasn't played since the seventh grade), Troy needs to weigh his own feelings of fear and inadequacy against his desire to stop giving a fuck and just go for it.
When he goes to his first punk rock show and completely loses himself in the music, he begins his journey to freeing himself from all the baggage that normally holds him back. And at the same time, he finds out that Curt needs help, too. Just like we all do.
There's a beautiful moment in this story when Troy realizes that he's been waiting for people to give him things - support, love, acceptance - and instead of waiting, he decides to start giving those things away.
I'm making this story sound really sappy, but more than that it's funny, edgy and unflinching. Troy's outlook on his weight and life will have you alternately cringing and cheering for him, especially when he puts himself out there. If you like YA lit, read it read it read it!
When he goes to his first punk rock show and completely loses himself in the music, he begins his journey to freeing himself from all the baggage that normally holds him back. And at the same time, he finds out that Curt needs help, too. Just like we all do.
There's a beautiful moment in this story when Troy realizes that he's been waiting for people to give him things - support, love, acceptance - and instead of waiting, he decides to start giving those things away.
I'm making this story sound really sappy, but more than that it's funny, edgy and unflinching. Troy's outlook on his weight and life will have you alternately cringing and cheering for him, especially when he puts himself out there. If you like YA lit, read it read it read it!
April 1, 2010
I thought originally that this was going to be a good book. I heard so many people say that they thought it made a great read and recommended it to me.
What inspired me to read about this overweight boy is that that I had seen a special Biggest Loser episode. In this episode featured a young man entering his 20's. He was funny, charming, and smart but ultimately saddened because of his loneliness. His appearance seemed to be the major contributor to his low self-esteem. I felt so much compassion for this young man. I had the sudden desire to be put in his shoes, see the world through his eyes, in other words, experiencing his pain.
Obviously this book did not get me very far. I was faced with vulgarity and dirty thoughts. Although I could somewhat understand the life of this character, I found myself disgusted with the way he represented himself. He accepted almost any kind of treament just to be acknowledge and went right along with the bad examples of his peers, treating women with less respect than they deserve and so on...
January 18, 2018
I really like this story. There were problems, obviously, hence the three stars. I liked probably the first half to three-quarters of the novel, except I feel like the narrator said "fat" way too many times. His weight is probably his biggest insecurity, but I'm pretty sure "fat" showed up at least once on every page. My biggest issue really was probably the ending. The resolutions felt really abrupt and rushed. This is such a short book, just over 200 pages, I honestly feel like another 50-100 pages would have really helped to flesh out some of the major plot points and wrap up the problems better. But I still enjoyed it.
November 7, 2007
Wonderful story about a little Kurt Cobain like boy whose fat friend Troy tries to save him from himself. This is probably the most fat-positive fiction I've ever read for teens, as the story talks about society's reactions to Troy's weight but does not conclude with "and he gets skinny and popular". Instead, he helps a friend, sees the value of his family and finds a new community in punk rock.
May 28, 2022
3.5 stars, solid writing though the story was quite predictable and I struggled to relate to the seventeen year old MC as a thirty-two year old married woman. I think I would have appreciated this one more if I read it in highschool. Big shout out for the supportive dad who was full of surprises!
May 15, 2023
Hmmm. This one really doesn't hold up well.
A platonic manic pixie dream boy befriends a fat kid and convinces him to be a drummer for his punk band.
The fat kid spends the entire book fixated on how fat he is. It was a bit exhausting to read.
He learns to drum and learns some things about himself. The manic pixie dream boy is on drugs and needs help. Everyone lives happily ever after? idk.
A platonic manic pixie dream boy befriends a fat kid and convinces him to be a drummer for his punk band.
The fat kid spends the entire book fixated on how fat he is. It was a bit exhausting to read.
He learns to drum and learns some things about himself. The manic pixie dream boy is on drugs and needs help. Everyone lives happily ever after? idk.
September 29, 2018
Banned Book Week! Time to read a second banned book. This one was challenged for its language, sexual content and depiction of drug use.
While it is a pretty decent young adult novel, Fat Kid smacks a bit of simplistic After School Special storytelling. Troy is an overweight teen with all sorts of anxieties. A homeless but legendary dropout named Curt from Troy's high school pulls Troy back from suicidal thoughts by befriending him and inviting him to form a punk rock band. But in the end will Troy need to help save Curt from his drug abuse? Hmmm.
The strength of the book lies in its characters. It was very easy for me to identify with the 296-pounds, 6'1" protagonist as I have shared those exact numbers many times in my life, starting in junior high or slightly earlier up to the present day. As an adult who has a child with anxieties, I also found it easy to identify with Troy's father. And Curt, well he is charming as hell as long as you overlook his hygiene and drug problems.
As for being banned, I think there is much more here to benefit a young reader than there is to harm them.
While it is a pretty decent young adult novel, Fat Kid smacks a bit of simplistic After School Special storytelling. Troy is an overweight teen with all sorts of anxieties. A homeless but legendary dropout named Curt from Troy's high school pulls Troy back from suicidal thoughts by befriending him and inviting him to form a punk rock band. But in the end will Troy need to help save Curt from his drug abuse? Hmmm.
The strength of the book lies in its characters. It was very easy for me to identify with the 296-pounds, 6'1" protagonist as I have shared those exact numbers many times in my life, starting in junior high or slightly earlier up to the present day. As an adult who has a child with anxieties, I also found it easy to identify with Troy's father. And Curt, well he is charming as hell as long as you overlook his hygiene and drug problems.
As for being banned, I think there is much more here to benefit a young reader than there is to harm them.
July 20, 2010
When Troy (a hugely overweight social leper) befriends Curt (a skinny homeless punk guitar genius), they both get much more than they bargained for. Troy's macho brother and ex-Marine father think Curt is just a junkie loser - but as Curt stopped Troy's suicide attempt, Troy can't just forget him. Curt recruits Troy as the new drummer in his punk band - but Troy has never played the drums in his life. When Curt's around, though, almost anything seems possible. An outstanding, heart-warming, funny, edgy, debut novel. From Amazon UK
This book is absolutely amazing! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. This book is so good, I just feel so light right now, high. It's just awesome!
The book starts off with Troy actually at the tube station, considering jumping in front of a train. But then Curt, who is sleeping rough on the platform, opens his mouth. From Troy's point of view, everything he does is funny to other people. He only has to sit down in the cafeteria and people laugh. While standing at the end of the platform, he tries to work out if his suicide would be funny. He imagines how he think it would be, and laughs. And then this homless guy says "You laughing at me?"
Four words. If Curt, the character, didn't utter those words, Troy would have probably jumped. There would have been no story. We wouldn't have seen how Troy's complete and utter lack of self-confidence and self-worth could have been turned around.
In the comments of Luisa Plaja's guest post, I commented on how I on't like how in some stories, girls' opinion of themselves changes because of a guy's interest. In a way, I still feel like that, but this book has changed that. Forget the girl is female and the guy is male, and they're attracted to each other. Someone is helping out someone else. In Angela Morrison's interview, she mentions how sometimes all people need is a good friend to gently help. In this book, that is exactly the situation. Curt helps Troy. Not by telling him he looks fine, or by changing the way he looks. But by asking him to join his band as a drummer. Now this is not just some random homeless person inviting him to join his band, it's Curt, Curt MacCrae, only the legendary guitarist who went to his school, who inspires awe in everyone who looks at him. And he has just asked Troy to just his band!
What ensues is a brilliant, brilliant story of Troy's change in attitude. He sees himself differently. Because of the belief and encouragement of people he has the utmost respect for, the way he sees himself changes; his weight, the way he looks - he realises, in the great scheme of things, it doesn't matter.
I have to say, I have the biggest lit-crush on Curt, even if he is a smelly homeless person. His life is complicated, and not something I can go into without spoiling the story. He talks in this strange way that is just so awesome and amusing, I grin whenever he speaks - it's complete nonsense most of the time, but it's brilliant! And he's deep, in this way I can't even explain, because I only barely just got what he meant myself, but it's amazing! And on top of that, he can play guitar and - I know it's a book, and so I can't technically hear him play - he's absolutely unbelievably good! And, well, I've always kind of had a thing for a guy who can play guitar (it's a failing I have, I'm trying to get over it ;)). I just love this guy! Simply because you need to see how amazing it is when Curt speaks, here's a quote:
'"You see, technically, and this is only in the technical sense, legal court orders and all, so, yes, technically I live with my father, but that's hard to do, really, so I don't. You know, mostly 'cause he kicked me out a couple times. And left. But that doesn't mean it's out of the realm of possibility that I could be living with my father..."' (p16)
I just love it! And you know what also helps? It's a book that has a lot to do with music. I'm a music fan, I'm a live music fan, I'm a huge fan of gigs at venues with new bands - and this book was full of it all! It's just brilliant! You can feel the vibrations, you can smell the sweat, you can feel the buzz! It's just amazing!
If you read my review of King of the Screwups, also by K.L. Going, you'll know that although I absolutely loved it, I had a bit of trouble getting motivated to pick it up once I put it down. I did not have this trouble in the slightest with this book! I always wanted to read it! I was hooked from the first words, and further hooked from the moment Curt speaks, and just dying to see what happened with the two of them and the band. Absolutely awesome!
I cannot recommend this book enough! It's six years old now, but one you should all definitely try to get your hands on! It's awesome, and it's going to stick with me for a while, just how deeply the two guys effect each other. It's now up there with my favourites, and I am just so glad I chose to read this book! I will definitely be checking out more of the novels by K.L. Going!
From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog
This book is absolutely amazing! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. This book is so good, I just feel so light right now, high. It's just awesome!
The book starts off with Troy actually at the tube station, considering jumping in front of a train. But then Curt, who is sleeping rough on the platform, opens his mouth. From Troy's point of view, everything he does is funny to other people. He only has to sit down in the cafeteria and people laugh. While standing at the end of the platform, he tries to work out if his suicide would be funny. He imagines how he think it would be, and laughs. And then this homless guy says "You laughing at me?"
Four words. If Curt, the character, didn't utter those words, Troy would have probably jumped. There would have been no story. We wouldn't have seen how Troy's complete and utter lack of self-confidence and self-worth could have been turned around.
In the comments of Luisa Plaja's guest post, I commented on how I on't like how in some stories, girls' opinion of themselves changes because of a guy's interest. In a way, I still feel like that, but this book has changed that. Forget the girl is female and the guy is male, and they're attracted to each other. Someone is helping out someone else. In Angela Morrison's interview, she mentions how sometimes all people need is a good friend to gently help. In this book, that is exactly the situation. Curt helps Troy. Not by telling him he looks fine, or by changing the way he looks. But by asking him to join his band as a drummer. Now this is not just some random homeless person inviting him to join his band, it's Curt, Curt MacCrae, only the legendary guitarist who went to his school, who inspires awe in everyone who looks at him. And he has just asked Troy to just his band!
What ensues is a brilliant, brilliant story of Troy's change in attitude. He sees himself differently. Because of the belief and encouragement of people he has the utmost respect for, the way he sees himself changes; his weight, the way he looks - he realises, in the great scheme of things, it doesn't matter.
I have to say, I have the biggest lit-crush on Curt, even if he is a smelly homeless person. His life is complicated, and not something I can go into without spoiling the story. He talks in this strange way that is just so awesome and amusing, I grin whenever he speaks - it's complete nonsense most of the time, but it's brilliant! And he's deep, in this way I can't even explain, because I only barely just got what he meant myself, but it's amazing! And on top of that, he can play guitar and - I know it's a book, and so I can't technically hear him play - he's absolutely unbelievably good! And, well, I've always kind of had a thing for a guy who can play guitar (it's a failing I have, I'm trying to get over it ;)). I just love this guy! Simply because you need to see how amazing it is when Curt speaks, here's a quote:
'"You see, technically, and this is only in the technical sense, legal court orders and all, so, yes, technically I live with my father, but that's hard to do, really, so I don't. You know, mostly 'cause he kicked me out a couple times. And left. But that doesn't mean it's out of the realm of possibility that I could be living with my father..."' (p16)
I just love it! And you know what also helps? It's a book that has a lot to do with music. I'm a music fan, I'm a live music fan, I'm a huge fan of gigs at venues with new bands - and this book was full of it all! It's just brilliant! You can feel the vibrations, you can smell the sweat, you can feel the buzz! It's just amazing!
If you read my review of King of the Screwups, also by K.L. Going, you'll know that although I absolutely loved it, I had a bit of trouble getting motivated to pick it up once I put it down. I did not have this trouble in the slightest with this book! I always wanted to read it! I was hooked from the first words, and further hooked from the moment Curt speaks, and just dying to see what happened with the two of them and the band. Absolutely awesome!
I cannot recommend this book enough! It's six years old now, but one you should all definitely try to get your hands on! It's awesome, and it's going to stick with me for a while, just how deeply the two guys effect each other. It's now up there with my favourites, and I am just so glad I chose to read this book! I will definitely be checking out more of the novels by K.L. Going!
From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog
January 14, 2020
Any YA book where your favorite character is the parent automatically loses points.
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com
Troy knows that everyone is watching him. And laughing at him. Of course they are. At seventeen years old and almost 300 pounds, wearing what appears to be the same pair of tan pants daily, every move he makes is laughable. Will he be able to get out of the car? How many burgers will he eat? Even his effort to breathe is laughable as he huffs and puffs his way along.
He worries that he smells. You don’t understand. It’s not that he’s a pig or anything, he just has a hard time fitting in the shower.
Poised over the subway tracks, Troy contemplates whether he can find a form of suicide that will be so serious, so severe, that no one will laugh. Enter Curt. Semi-homeless teen, school dropout, legend at his high school, and uber amazing guitar player, Curt attaches himself to Troy after saving him from the tracks. He’s an itch that can’t be scratched, a tick burrowing under the skin. Before Troy realizes it, he’s agreed to buy Curt dinner and join his band as a drummer, even though he hasn’t played since seventh grade.
Who is he kidding? He can’t do this. He sees it in the eyes of his perfect kid brother, Dayle, as well as his military dad, the “disappointed dysfunctional parent."
But with Curt’s help, Troy learns to look past himself. He finds support in unexpected places. But it’s not until Curt is hospitalized that Troy finally has the guts to really take a risk.
This is a fast-paced book. K. L. Going immerses the reader in the world of punk rock through the eyes of the fat kid who yearns to have people really look at him. She has a great sense of humor that shines with lines of comparison, like when Troy compares himself to Dayle before the big gig. Troy thinks Dayle looks like he’s “ready to win the Super Bowl, while I’m ready to heave into one." Ms. Going does an amazing job of getting into the psyche of the fat kid. There is a fair amount of rough language, but even so, this book rocks!
Troy knows that everyone is watching him. And laughing at him. Of course they are. At seventeen years old and almost 300 pounds, wearing what appears to be the same pair of tan pants daily, every move he makes is laughable. Will he be able to get out of the car? How many burgers will he eat? Even his effort to breathe is laughable as he huffs and puffs his way along.
He worries that he smells. You don’t understand. It’s not that he’s a pig or anything, he just has a hard time fitting in the shower.
Poised over the subway tracks, Troy contemplates whether he can find a form of suicide that will be so serious, so severe, that no one will laugh. Enter Curt. Semi-homeless teen, school dropout, legend at his high school, and uber amazing guitar player, Curt attaches himself to Troy after saving him from the tracks. He’s an itch that can’t be scratched, a tick burrowing under the skin. Before Troy realizes it, he’s agreed to buy Curt dinner and join his band as a drummer, even though he hasn’t played since seventh grade.
Who is he kidding? He can’t do this. He sees it in the eyes of his perfect kid brother, Dayle, as well as his military dad, the “disappointed dysfunctional parent."
But with Curt’s help, Troy learns to look past himself. He finds support in unexpected places. But it’s not until Curt is hospitalized that Troy finally has the guts to really take a risk.
This is a fast-paced book. K. L. Going immerses the reader in the world of punk rock through the eyes of the fat kid who yearns to have people really look at him. She has a great sense of humor that shines with lines of comparison, like when Troy compares himself to Dayle before the big gig. Troy thinks Dayle looks like he’s “ready to win the Super Bowl, while I’m ready to heave into one." Ms. Going does an amazing job of getting into the psyche of the fat kid. There is a fair amount of rough language, but even so, this book rocks!
February 1, 2017
I read this because of a teacher's recommendation. I loved my teacher, but I don't see why she loved this book. I have mixed feelings about it. I like that the opening scene was dramatic, with Troy, a lonely and overweight teenager, contemplating suicide on the subway tracks. There was humor scattered throughout the book, which I can appreciate. I also like that this book does not end with the fat kid losing weight, but instead becoming a punk rock drummer and finding something he can channel himself into. My favorite moment was when Troy realizes that while he's been waiting for people to give him things, like support, love, and acceptance, he hasn't been giving it away, and so he begins then.
That being said, I did not like the book, for the most part. The character Curt, the homeless guitar god, seemed ultimately unrealistic to me. I also feel like he stole the show away from the main character. I also feel that Troy's past family life should have been explored more, because by the end of the book, I still didn't have a clear understanding of why the family was so distanced. The hardest thing about this book was the constant fat bashing that goes on in the main character's head. I expected that by the end of the book, he would overcome his self-esteem issues, but whether or not this happens is not made clear. I also couldn't really relate to any of the characters, especially Troy. I wasn't a fan of the recurring explicit descriptions of his sexual desires, either. To me, the book's plot was slow, the writing was nothing special, and many of the characters were underdeveloped. I pushed myself kept reading, and when I finally felt like some action was happening and I could actually start getting into the book, the book rather abruptly ended. I can see how the ending can be seen as a good one, but I'm not usually a fan of open endings. Overall, I did not really enjoy this book as much as I expected.
That being said, I did not like the book, for the most part. The character Curt, the homeless guitar god, seemed ultimately unrealistic to me. I also feel like he stole the show away from the main character. I also feel that Troy's past family life should have been explored more, because by the end of the book, I still didn't have a clear understanding of why the family was so distanced. The hardest thing about this book was the constant fat bashing that goes on in the main character's head. I expected that by the end of the book, he would overcome his self-esteem issues, but whether or not this happens is not made clear. I also couldn't really relate to any of the characters, especially Troy. I wasn't a fan of the recurring explicit descriptions of his sexual desires, either. To me, the book's plot was slow, the writing was nothing special, and many of the characters were underdeveloped. I pushed myself kept reading, and when I finally felt like some action was happening and I could actually start getting into the book, the book rather abruptly ended. I can see how the ending can be seen as a good one, but I'm not usually a fan of open endings. Overall, I did not really enjoy this book as much as I expected.
July 18, 2010
Possibly one of my all time favorite YA novels.... found my 2008 review and want to spread the word. I got a freshman who hadn't finished a book in 7 months to read this book and come back begging for more like it!
Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going - Motherless Troy lives with his ex-marine father and jock brother in New York City. Self-described as 300 pounds, Troy feels friendless and alone and lives in fear of the laughter he feels whenever others look at him. One day, while contemplating jumping in front of a subway train, but afraid the incident will be seen as funny by others, Troy meets Curt, a legendary semi-homeless drug abusing guitar playing teenager. Troy somehow ends up agreeing to form a band with Curt, even though Troy hasn't played drums since junior high school. The story then slowly shows us Troy learning to see himself, and those around him, as much more than the summation of their lives. Troy isn't just a fat kid, Curt isn't just a junkie, his father isn't just a leatherneck, and his brother isn't the popular self confident jock he appears to be. This is a funny, sad, ultimately hopeful book about a boy who learns to look at people as more than just their simple characteristics. It helps that Going makes the action so funny at times. A cut above the usual YA lit novel.
Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going - Motherless Troy lives with his ex-marine father and jock brother in New York City. Self-described as 300 pounds, Troy feels friendless and alone and lives in fear of the laughter he feels whenever others look at him. One day, while contemplating jumping in front of a subway train, but afraid the incident will be seen as funny by others, Troy meets Curt, a legendary semi-homeless drug abusing guitar playing teenager. Troy somehow ends up agreeing to form a band with Curt, even though Troy hasn't played drums since junior high school. The story then slowly shows us Troy learning to see himself, and those around him, as much more than the summation of their lives. Troy isn't just a fat kid, Curt isn't just a junkie, his father isn't just a leatherneck, and his brother isn't the popular self confident jock he appears to be. This is a funny, sad, ultimately hopeful book about a boy who learns to look at people as more than just their simple characteristics. It helps that Going makes the action so funny at times. A cut above the usual YA lit novel.
May 18, 2012
Troy starts the book out in a suicide attempt. He's saved by Curt, a cool rocker type that Troy would love to be.
They start a band and hang out and throughout most of the book Troy is filled with intense loathing for himself.
He never realises Curt's homeless, has abusive parents and a drug addict.
One of the things I loved most about this book's message is if you get too wrapped up in hating yourself than you avoid seeing that everyone has problems. Troy had issues with his dad but they were nothing compared to the problems Curt had because his dad at least wanted to do something for him.
This book was by no means saying "Someone always has it worse than you" but that if you look beyond just yourself and help each other out than you'll see a way out of it. Troy helps Curt get help and in return he helps Troy.
It was a sweet story.
At first you see things from Troy's perspective that his military dad is ashamed of him and his younger brother.
It turned out Troy helped pushed them away by assuming they didn't love him.
Sometimes people don't know how to help people.
They start a band and hang out and throughout most of the book Troy is filled with intense loathing for himself.
He never realises Curt's homeless, has abusive parents and a drug addict.
One of the things I loved most about this book's message is if you get too wrapped up in hating yourself than you avoid seeing that everyone has problems. Troy had issues with his dad but they were nothing compared to the problems Curt had because his dad at least wanted to do something for him.
This book was by no means saying "Someone always has it worse than you" but that if you look beyond just yourself and help each other out than you'll see a way out of it. Troy helps Curt get help and in return he helps Troy.
It was a sweet story.
At first you see things from Troy's perspective that his military dad is ashamed of him and his younger brother.
It turned out Troy helped pushed them away by assuming they didn't love him.
Sometimes people don't know how to help people.
October 25, 2012
Troy is a fat kid so unhappy that he is contemplating throwing himself in front of a subway train, when someone tells him to stop. It's Kurt McCray, guitar legend / high school dropout. For some reason Kurt talks Troy into being his drummer, despite the fact that Troy hasn't played drums since 7th grade. For a while it seems like Kurt has saved Troy's life in more ways than one. But Kurt has some problems of his own...
Partly due to Matthew Lillard's perfect voice for Troy, this was a really enjoyable audiobook. There were times when describing Kurt's crazy behavior that Lillard was almost laughing as he spoke and it just sounded so teenage boy. Is it weird that I kept imagining Kurt as Kurt Cobain? I thought Troy's self-descriptions were a bit much, constantly describing himself as fleshy, etc., although I did like how he identified himself as "Fat Kid" - and I also liked how he came to see himself in a different way without the story being about him losing a bunch of weight. Also, I thought Troy's dad was awesome.
Partly due to Matthew Lillard's perfect voice for Troy, this was a really enjoyable audiobook. There were times when describing Kurt's crazy behavior that Lillard was almost laughing as he spoke and it just sounded so teenage boy. Is it weird that I kept imagining Kurt as Kurt Cobain? I thought Troy's self-descriptions were a bit much, constantly describing himself as fleshy, etc., although I did like how he identified himself as "Fat Kid" - and I also liked how he came to see himself in a different way without the story being about him losing a bunch of weight. Also, I thought Troy's dad was awesome.
November 14, 2009
I've attempted to read this novel several times, and I finally finished it. I just don't know what it was about the reading that didn't appeal to me. The plot seemed slow to me, and the writing wasn't anything exciting. I also expected this novel to be about a fat kid and was looking forward to that, since there are so few novels about fat teens that doesn't involve them losing the weight and getting the guy. Unfortunatley, the character Curt stole the show, and I believe this book was more about him. I did like the narrators sense of humor though, and I sometimes would laugh out loud at his made-up headlines, despite my embarrasment. I don't exactly recomment it, but I won't discourage you if you feel like giving this book a try.
August 23, 2012
boring.
April 18, 2017
I feel like this is hard for me to write a review on. I think that because I'm not fat so I don't know if I'm judging it fairly. Also, I'm not suicidal and my family loves me. But if anyone is going to try, *strains hand* pick me!!! This book had me so lost, if I'm being honest. There was so much happening. Or maybe because I read too slow and too long... Hmm... Anyways... Troy was lucky Curt was there. I'm just going to say, the diner scenes were weird. That's all the farther I'm going into it. This book had a lot of self hate. I didn't like that. Troy had nobody there for him but he didn't try to make friends either. His drumming skills were trash at the beginning but they got better. You know why? He tried. He stopped waiting for it to come to him and did something about it. ABOUT TIME< RIGHT?!? I could fix that mistake but I was typing with shift and that symbol just makes me happy. Anyways, when Curt was put in the hospital, I thought it was all over. The band, the 'family', everything. I didn't like that. But stuff went down. It made me think, "This is the part of the movie where everything was going good but the worst happens and everything starts to suck." So you know what I had to do? Look this up. It's a movie and guess what? THEY CHANGED CURT'S NAME TO MARCUS?? EXCUSE ME?? Anyways, when Curt was stealing those drugs, NO NO NO NO NO!!! Thank golly Troy told his dad. That was good. Then they took Curt in. I was kind of expecting that though... But then I became confused. The author didn't tell us what happened and the next thing I knew, they were performing. I guess they had us assume that Curt lived with Troy but I don't know. It didn't tell me and that means I can't decipher it.. This book was still fairly enjoyable though.
May 29, 2019
I read this book and it was pretty good yeah it was weird with all the suicide stuff but it was good. I think it was honestly kinda weird how much this refers to everyday life. Like he really thinks over jumping in front of a train, I first thought wow. I didn't really think I was going to like the book at first I know what that process is like. I didn't give it a full five stars because in my opinion I thought it was a little on the weird side. I really didn't like the start because it started out with straight suicide thoughts. In the end I thought it was a great lesson to know what other go through. This book genuinely made me feel bad for others and about how I judge people and taught me to not judge by first sight. I really disliked the part where kids were making fun of him trying to put his coat on because like that happens very often in every day life. I really enjoyed this book and was a very good life lesson.
November 7, 2018
I really didn’t enjoy this book. I felt like it was an unrealistic idea of how overweight people feel. It was a book based on joking around about fat people.
However, I have this book a three because it does explore some good ideas and convey an interesting message. It starts off with the main character attempting suicide. This is a big real world issue that we talk about in school all the time. The other thing that I though worked with this book was the message it sent. It showed that everyone has issues and sometimes we have to realize that to help get through our own issues.
In conclusion this book conveyed a well though out message and explored some real world problems. I just wish that it didn’t seem like the whole story was similar to a fat joke that’s 10 year old would find hilarious
However, I have this book a three because it does explore some good ideas and convey an interesting message. It starts off with the main character attempting suicide. This is a big real world issue that we talk about in school all the time. The other thing that I though worked with this book was the message it sent. It showed that everyone has issues and sometimes we have to realize that to help get through our own issues.
In conclusion this book conveyed a well though out message and explored some real world problems. I just wish that it didn’t seem like the whole story was similar to a fat joke that’s 10 year old would find hilarious
February 5, 2018
The word that I think describes Fat Kid rules the world is hope. I believe hope is a good word for this book because hope is something that all of us have and if you lose hope there isn't much else to lose. A line from the book that shows hope is when Ollie said “Great man, this is great, you sound great”. He was clapping for troy and encouraging him making him regain hope again. I give this book a thumbs up for sure. When I first started reading it to when I got done reading the author always did a good job of grabbing the reader's attention and making them want to go on. Another good thing about this book is a I feel like this could actually happen in real life. Curt (the person who troy met) is a good example of what a good person looks like. He saved Troy's life from commiting suicide and then continued to help him be a drummer in their band. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. Even people who aren't that big of fans of reading like myself I feel like would like this book. I would recommend it because I feel like it just speaks to you and it's realistic and wants you to keep reading to find out what happens next.
October 28, 2025
"Curt shakes his head. 'You're not watching them,' he says. 'You're watching you.'"
A friend asked me about this book the other day and I'll tell you what I told her: the teenage boy-ness of this book is very authentic. Very actual teenage boy. I felt like I was in a 17 yr old boy's head, which, what a place to be.
I picked this out at work, so props to the librarian before me who probably saw this in some paper ad sent to libraries and thought, hmm. why not?
A friend asked me about this book the other day and I'll tell you what I told her: the teenage boy-ness of this book is very authentic. Very actual teenage boy. I felt like I was in a 17 yr old boy's head, which, what a place to be.
I picked this out at work, so props to the librarian before me who probably saw this in some paper ad sent to libraries and thought, hmm. why not?
December 31, 2019
Great story about body image, fatness, male friendship, addiction, family and the aftermath of grief. I loved how hopeful it was, even while dealing with some pretty devastating subject matter.
TW for contemplations of suicide at a close psychic distance.
TW for contemplations of suicide at a close psychic distance.
October 20, 2023
Short one-day read. This was my boyfriends favorite book when he was 16, a teenage kid getting into punk rock. He still loves the story today. It’s a liberating story of how music can transform someone’s life. Fat Kid Rules the World being K.L. Going’s first novel, and it being a book for young adults, it’s simple. But unexpectedly good at creating images I still find lingering in my mind.
July 12, 2022
My 13yo son, who is a drummer, and I read this book. We enjoyed the story that touches on topics such as obesity, self confidence, drugs, homelessness, and young musical genius. It is a great book for YA discussion on topics that may be challenging to bring up without a framework.
April 8, 2020
Fat Kid Rules the World tells about Troy an overweight teenager that weighs around 300lbs. Troy has self image issues and contemplates suicide at the subway station. While there he notices Curt, a popular student, that befriends Troy. Troy was asked to be Curt's drummer in his band and gains respect from other students due to his new friend. Troy and Curt form a friendship and start to learn new things about one another. The journey of wanting to be accepted helps Troy find a friend, and after problems arise their bonds grow stronger.
I enjoyed this book actually quite a bit. I feel it can show lots of readers that everybody has problems and if people could just support and help each other there would be better in the world. Character development was a little rushed and wanted it to be a little better. However, I enjoyed reading how a friendship can save someone.
I enjoyed this book actually quite a bit. I feel it can show lots of readers that everybody has problems and if people could just support and help each other there would be better in the world. Character development was a little rushed and wanted it to be a little better. However, I enjoyed reading how a friendship can save someone.
October 16, 2011
Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.
This book is about Troy. As you might have guessed from the title, Troy is fat. He knows it, he knows the world knows it, he knows the world sees nothing but it, but he doesn't know what to do about it. He spends so much of his time and attention being terrified that everyone is staring at him and his bulk, that every comment, every laugh, smirk or snicker, every look is directed at him that he is paralyzed much of the time in public. His kid brother doesn't help the situation either. After the death of their mother, Troy ate and ate and ate, burying his emotions and pain in food. But Dayle focused his attentions on working out, eating well, and becoming amazingly good at sports. He's embarrassed by Troy and he doesn't even try to hide it. In fact, the story starts with Troy standing on the Subway platform, trying to decide if he really should just jump in front of the F train. Dayle told him to Please, go for it, and at this point, all that's stopping Troy is the fear that people are going to laugh again. He should at least be given some dignity in his suicide.
But, his almost attempted suicide is stopped by an incredibly skinny, incredibly dirty and smelly kid sleeping in the station. Turns out this homeless kid is really Curt MacCrae, a musical legend in his school. And for some reason, Curt not only wants to talk to Troy, but he also wants Troy to be his new drummer. Starstruck and dumbstruck, Troy agrees. Only problem? Troy can't play the drums. That doesn't stop Curt though, and he just barrels through, doing this as he does everything. He wants Troy as his drummer, so he is determined to make it happed. For Curt, the music is the most important thing, possibly the only important thing. Music remains an important element throughout the story. It's through music that Troy finally begins to feel like he is, and could remain, a part of something. But his revelations and experiences are not those of the standard music-themed YA novels.
Watching the developing friendship between these two boys was such an interesting experience for me. Both were such unusual characters. Curt is always starving, always dirty, not totally reliable and completely unpredictable. Troy is such a sad character. He cannot get over his insecurities about his weight, and it consumes his thoughts. Always. But, as he starts spending more time with Curt, he starts to view himself in a new light. Curt helps him realize that everyone isn't staring at him all the time. That his weight might him additional strength and leverage that he could use to defend. That he has worth. That there there are pieces to his personality, to what makes him who he is that are incredible strengths.
I hurt for Troy every time he mentally degraded himself. I was angry every time his brother blew him off, mocked him, or made him feel small. I was frustrated with his dad, who couldn't find the time or the words to reach out to his son, or look and realize that he was hurting. I felt my heart start to life as his dad did start to make more of an effort. I smiled as Curt upended their small, orderly (and miserable) world and started to force the family to view things and themselves in a new light.
This is not a perfect story with a perfectly happy ending. Troy doesn't magically lose 150 pounds, or end up with a stunningly hot girl who sees him for who he is on the inside and starts to prepare for their 3 bedroom house, white picket fence and 2.5 children. His brother doesn't suddenly turn around and say just kidding, you are beyond the coolest person I know. His dad doesn't turn into Wonder-Dad over night, and Curt, who has his own serious set of problems doesn't suddenly end up with the perfect sitcom family, enough to eat and no drug habit. This isn't a story that wraps up the story and ties it up with a pretty little bow. This is a story that is too honest for that, too real. It's a story that contains elements of the happy ending, without cheapening the struggle the characters took to get there. You cheer for the characters at the end, but you do it with the understanding that there is more out there for them to learn. After all, there is always more to learn.
This book is about Troy. As you might have guessed from the title, Troy is fat. He knows it, he knows the world knows it, he knows the world sees nothing but it, but he doesn't know what to do about it. He spends so much of his time and attention being terrified that everyone is staring at him and his bulk, that every comment, every laugh, smirk or snicker, every look is directed at him that he is paralyzed much of the time in public. His kid brother doesn't help the situation either. After the death of their mother, Troy ate and ate and ate, burying his emotions and pain in food. But Dayle focused his attentions on working out, eating well, and becoming amazingly good at sports. He's embarrassed by Troy and he doesn't even try to hide it. In fact, the story starts with Troy standing on the Subway platform, trying to decide if he really should just jump in front of the F train. Dayle told him to Please, go for it, and at this point, all that's stopping Troy is the fear that people are going to laugh again. He should at least be given some dignity in his suicide.
But, his almost attempted suicide is stopped by an incredibly skinny, incredibly dirty and smelly kid sleeping in the station. Turns out this homeless kid is really Curt MacCrae, a musical legend in his school. And for some reason, Curt not only wants to talk to Troy, but he also wants Troy to be his new drummer. Starstruck and dumbstruck, Troy agrees. Only problem? Troy can't play the drums. That doesn't stop Curt though, and he just barrels through, doing this as he does everything. He wants Troy as his drummer, so he is determined to make it happed. For Curt, the music is the most important thing, possibly the only important thing. Music remains an important element throughout the story. It's through music that Troy finally begins to feel like he is, and could remain, a part of something. But his revelations and experiences are not those of the standard music-themed YA novels.
Watching the developing friendship between these two boys was such an interesting experience for me. Both were such unusual characters. Curt is always starving, always dirty, not totally reliable and completely unpredictable. Troy is such a sad character. He cannot get over his insecurities about his weight, and it consumes his thoughts. Always. But, as he starts spending more time with Curt, he starts to view himself in a new light. Curt helps him realize that everyone isn't staring at him all the time. That his weight might him additional strength and leverage that he could use to defend. That he has worth. That there there are pieces to his personality, to what makes him who he is that are incredible strengths.
I hurt for Troy every time he mentally degraded himself. I was angry every time his brother blew him off, mocked him, or made him feel small. I was frustrated with his dad, who couldn't find the time or the words to reach out to his son, or look and realize that he was hurting. I felt my heart start to life as his dad did start to make more of an effort. I smiled as Curt upended their small, orderly (and miserable) world and started to force the family to view things and themselves in a new light.
This is not a perfect story with a perfectly happy ending. Troy doesn't magically lose 150 pounds, or end up with a stunningly hot girl who sees him for who he is on the inside and starts to prepare for their 3 bedroom house, white picket fence and 2.5 children. His brother doesn't suddenly turn around and say just kidding, you are beyond the coolest person I know. His dad doesn't turn into Wonder-Dad over night, and Curt, who has his own serious set of problems doesn't suddenly end up with the perfect sitcom family, enough to eat and no drug habit. This isn't a story that wraps up the story and ties it up with a pretty little bow. This is a story that is too honest for that, too real. It's a story that contains elements of the happy ending, without cheapening the struggle the characters took to get there. You cheer for the characters at the end, but you do it with the understanding that there is more out there for them to learn. After all, there is always more to learn.
March 5, 2019
Personal Response/: I thought it was a good book because it is funny and could actually happen in real life. Parts of the book were kind of boring and some confusing, but it is still a good book. It was very interesting reading about how he overcame quitting things and being able to follow through on something and become great at it.
Book Summary/: Troy is the main character and feels ashamed and unworthy of being alive. He was going to kill himself by jumping out in front of a train, but a homeless high school dropout stopped him and basically saved him. The boy's name is Curt, and they become friends as the book goes on. At first, Troy's impression is that Curt is only using him for food and someone to stay with, but he learns that Curt has a lot of family problems and they become good friends. Curt wanted to start a band with Troy, but Troy didn't want to. Troy gave in after Curt had him take lessons by a friend of Curt's. They went on and played in concerts and became really good.
Characterization/: Troy is a 300 lbs. kid with a normal family. He starts out trying to kill himself and had always quit things he tried. He never stuck with anything and always felt he wasn't good enough for anything. After meeting Curt, he starts playing drums and plays in a band and sticks with it.
Recommendation/: I would recommend this book to boys and girls my age or older. It has a lot of serious moments and funny moments. The book is very good is enjoyable because it is so relatable and could be a true story. I would recommend this book to a lot of people.
Book Summary/: Troy is the main character and feels ashamed and unworthy of being alive. He was going to kill himself by jumping out in front of a train, but a homeless high school dropout stopped him and basically saved him. The boy's name is Curt, and they become friends as the book goes on. At first, Troy's impression is that Curt is only using him for food and someone to stay with, but he learns that Curt has a lot of family problems and they become good friends. Curt wanted to start a band with Troy, but Troy didn't want to. Troy gave in after Curt had him take lessons by a friend of Curt's. They went on and played in concerts and became really good.
Characterization/: Troy is a 300 lbs. kid with a normal family. He starts out trying to kill himself and had always quit things he tried. He never stuck with anything and always felt he wasn't good enough for anything. After meeting Curt, he starts playing drums and plays in a band and sticks with it.
Recommendation/: I would recommend this book to boys and girls my age or older. It has a lot of serious moments and funny moments. The book is very good is enjoyable because it is so relatable and could be a true story. I would recommend this book to a lot of people.
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