Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl

The Band #1

by Debra Garfinkle

The journal of Michael "Storky" Pomerantz tells the tumultuous tale of life as a high-schooler—complete with the fact that the love of his life is dating a high school football player. As he chronicles the highs—and, of course, the most embarrassing lows—of his freshman year in high school, Storky paints an amusing and oftentimes hilarious portrait of an average teenager. But Michael is a not-so-ordinary kid, with a wit and charm that is atypical of average teens, and you will soon be cheering for him to lose his nickname and win the girl.

Genres: Young Adult, Humor, Romance, Fiction, Teen, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2005

About the author

I live in Orange County, California. I majored in economics at Brandeis University in Massachusetts and have a law degree from UC Berkeley. I'm the author of five young adult novels, a children's middle grade books, and 21 children's chapter books. My books include STORKY, KAITLYN AND THE COMPETITION, and the following children's series: SILVER PONY RANCH, ZEKE MEEKS, THE FUNNY GIRL, and SUPERNATURAL RUBBER CHICKEN. I write under the names D.L. Green, Debra L. Green, and D.L. Garfinkle.

Reviews

[EthanA · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Storky by D.L. Garfinkle is about a boy nicknamed storky for his height and athletic ability and his weight and dorkyness. He really likes this girl and he is her friend and she comes over every weekend to play scrabble with him. Eventually the girl goes out with an eleventh grader when they are only in 9th grade the kid she is dating is also the star of the football team. Soon she breaks up with him and then Storky and the girl are friends again and then Storky finds a new friend and starts being friends with him but he is not a good influence. He drinks and smokes and does drugs but they still are good friends. They eventually start getting drunk and going to party's and doing tons of bad stuff until they both get in a fight and aren't friends and then Storky becomes friends with the girl again and then he starts to like her again and then her friend likes him. That's as far as I can go without spoilers. Will he go out with the girl that likes him or will he decide to stride for the other girl? I would recommend this book to anybody who looks thrilling funny books about high school. Because there's funny embarrassing times and moments of suspense and action too.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Male version of Georgia Nicholson. Quite funny.

[Ernesto Cisneros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be tricky to find, but it's definitely worth the effort. Journal Entry format. Great book! Super funny! Debra captures the voice of her character so well.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book "Storky:How I Lost My nickname and Won the Girl." Grade 9 Up–Mike Pomerantz is dubbed "Storky" due to his height/weight proportions and is sweating out typical adolescent ups and downs in his first year of high school. He also contends with his parents' divorce and a disinterested, mid-life crisis father. Then there's "The Girl," Gina, whom he has known for years and has fallen in love with. He actually began keeping a journal (this book) in the hopes that she would view him as the "sensitive" type and fall madly in love with him. Not surprisingly, he's in for a rude awakening on that front. Speaking of awakenings, much space is allotted to the ups and downs of Mike's active, at times uncontrollable penis, "Rex," which provides humor and utmost embarrassment for the teen. Things work out pretty smoothly for Mike: he does indeed find a girl, overcomes his disgust toward his mother's soon-to-be husband, comes to terms with his father's selfishness, and gradually develops confidence. The conclusion is a little pat, but nonetheless this is an enjoyable read about the social development, psyche, and sexuality of one teenage male in that first overwhelming year of heaven and hell in the halls of high school.
I would recommend this book to a friend whose uncomfortable with their physical look. I would recommend to a friend whose not comfortable with their physical image because it talks about how someone whose consider a "Loser" step up to the game and got a girlfriend. I know high school is a dramatic place so it would be a grade book to relate to.

[Hannah Hickman]

I really like Storky, by D. L. Garfinkle. Mike is the main charater in the book. His nick name is storky because he is way to tall for his weight and to thin for his hieght. His best friend Brian moved to San Diego a week before school started. So Mike had noone to sit next to at lunch.Mike's older sister Amanda is also in high school. Unlike Mike Amanda is "the queen of popularville". Mostly when kids find out that hes Amandas brother they are confused. Mikes parent are divored. He lives with his mom he sees his dad every week end on sunday for dinner. His dad isnt there for him like most dads. Mike seems to think that his dad thinks that Mike is a loser. As for his mom shes there a little to much for Mike. When Mkes mom starts to date his dentist Dr. Berman it's really occward for Mike. Later on Mike really starts to like Dr Berman and when he finds out his mom is pregenat Mike is kinda ok with it. His friend Gina who hes been in love with since the 5th grade in the most popular girl in his grade. She only hangs out with him at his house. They used to be really good friends back when she was a regular. Now she is all popluar and mike still loves her. He meets a girl whos one grade older than her and she really likes him. he still tries to get Gina to like him , but in the end he finds out they will never be more than friends. And Sydney still likes mike then he relizes he really likes her to. So in the end He pretty much had it good in high school. The End.

[Jaemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, packed with laughs, Storky tells the story of a gaingly, couch-potato nerd who wants little more than to leave his nickname behind.

A freshman in High School, Mike Pomerantz can’t quite seem to get a handle on life. His sister seems to have split personalities, he’s not sure how to relate to girls, he can’t see past his love for his friend Gina, and he thinks his sour relationship with his father is his fault.

When he starts to accompany his mother now and again to the local Seniors’ home, and plays games of Scrabble with an old man named Duke, he feels like he’s hit a new low. But after a fight, he comes to realize he’s grown to like his time with Duke, and that it’s about a lot more than Scrabble.

When his mother starts dating his dentist, he can only hope the relationship with “Dr. Vermin” won’t last, yet the more time he spends with Berm, the more he gets to like it. He even joins his bowling league.

Though he keeps trying with his father, he can’t seem to please him. Nor can he make him understand he’d like to see him alone, without his babe of the month. When good old dad refuses to teach him to drive after promising to do so, Mike starts to see the light.

And such is the life of a high school Freshman—full of trials and some more trials. But Mike prevails, and comes out much better for it on the other side.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michael has been called Storky for as long as he can remember. He has also been friends with Gina for as long as he can remember, and he keeps hoping the friendship will develop into something more. When he starts high school and attempts to lose his nickname and win his girl's heart, he discovers that his two goals are more difficult to reach than he initially imagined.

Let me say at the outset that there are many things about this book that I like. I love that Michael plays Scrabble in his spare time. I think his volunteer visits to the nursing home, where he develops a friendship with one of the residents, are really neat. I love that he learns to stand up for himself and that he finally realizes that the idea "No doubt the problem is with you" is not always true. All of that is great, and large portions of this book are hilarious and entertaining. However, this is a book written from the perspective of a teenage boy, and as such, it contains some crude language and discussions of topics that I just don't think needed to be in the story at all. Because of that, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this particular book. Read it if you will, but read with caution.

[Christopher Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Storky" is a really interesting book. I would recommend this book to a friend because it consistently keeps you interested while the author gives the reader a great laugh. I would only recommend this book to teens and above because there is use of semi-inappropriate content for younger kids. But, hey! It's a book in the point of view of a teen boy. This book is a great read for anybody looking for fiction or relationships. Most love stories would be filled "lovey dovey" passages, but this book is a hilarious yet hopeful love story for a reader to read.

"Mom was bummed when I turned down her offer to drive. Good, I hate her...And Osama bin Laden, of course. And the Chargers for choking all the time"(Garfinkle 84).

This line just shows one joke of the many in this book. The author wrote this book intended to be funny. High School is a passage of life, in my opnion. Being in High School now as a Freshman has changed me in a good way. But for Michael Pomerantz, it can be a nightmare! Just read the book, and live the journal of one ordinary boy's Freshman year from disasters to euphoric moments.

[Grace Hayden-hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael ‘Storky’ Pomerantz starts off high school as an awkward adolescent. Between his skinny legs and frizzy hair, his best/only friend moving away, and his parents recent divorce, the year is set up to be miserable. Storky’s experiences from his freshman year of high school are insightful, cringe-worthy, and often hilarious. The reader endures his freshman year alongside him, through journal entries. ‘Storky’ starts off self conscious, and with every entry gains more confidence until the end; he loses the nickname and gets the girl.
I would recommend this book to anyone from 8th grade up. Garfinkle creates a character who is amusing yet poignant. Most importantly, Michael Pomerantz is relatable. I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[ACS Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Duke, the old guy with his wheelchair wheelies at the Golden Village Retirement Home. I like how often this book is funny. And I like how unrelenting and unapologetic Michael Pomerantz, Storky, is about his obsession with sex. Thoughts of sex, one way or another, flood his mind and dominate almost every page. Sex sex sex sex.

Not that there 19s any real description of sex in this book. Storky 19s never even had a girlfriend. Maybe his all-consuming frustrated libido has something to do with his real-life dating limitations. Storky 19s late-puberty male mindset isn 19t always likable, after all. It 19s all pretty laughable, though, and that 19s enough to make for a very fun read.

[Int'l librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Duke, the old guy with his wheelchair wheelies at the Golden Village Retirement Home. I like how often this book is funny. And I like how unrelenting and unapologetic Michael Pomerantz, Storky, is about his obsession with sex. Thoughts of sex, one way or another, flood his mind and dominate almost every page. Sex sex sex sex.

Not that there’s any real description of sex in this book. Storky’s never even had a girlfriend. Maybe his all-consuming frustrated libido has something to do with his real-life dating limitations. Storky’s late-puberty male mindset isn’t always likable, after all. It’s all pretty laughable, though, and that’s enough to make for a very fun read.

[TheSaint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storky. Sounds a lot like dorky, no? In reality, Mike Pomerantz isn't a total dork, but freshman year in high school can make a guy pretty sensitive to any and all criticism. Especially if it comes from his best friends. It can also make a guy pretty sensitive to his dad dating a new bimbo, and his mom dating his, ew, dentist. Mike actually comes out of his freshman year with relatively few lifelong scars-- the subtitle of Garfinkle's book is, after all, "how I lost my nickname and won the girl."

[Alyssah Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

hahaha! so after hard love i went on looking for YA books with male leads because, for some reason, their narratives are much more interesting to me. (maybe i've been reading too many "bad" books/chick-lit, idk, i wanted something less catty and shallow, i guess -- that doesn't involve a tragedy happening.) so i found this, it was pretty interesting and it was a fun read.

i can't really say much because it's been so long since i've finished reading this. i'm only updating my goodreads now, so i'm just... adding books to my shelf. XD

[Taee Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for a reluctant reader. I say that because I am a reluctant reader, it takes a lot for me to read a book. I enjoy this book very much its about a teenage boy in high school trying to make it through his fresh man year. Storky is trying to lose his nickname and win the girl, so he goes through this big process and change to get to where he wants to be. A lot of people can relate to this book, because there is a point in time where everybody has had a rough year in high school.

[Tara Rosselet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book, i was able to relate to the guy who was the main character. It's fun and more understandable, because Mike ( the main character is the same age as me). The book made me smile a lot and shed a couple tears, because what happened to his family in the story happened to mine as well. (not exactly the same, but similar)
I recommend it to everyone!

[Melissa Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

HILARIOUS!! What more can I say? Not that I have much in common with a 15 year old boy, but Mike's wit and sarcasm can hook just about anybody. Never before has "a day in the life of" an adolescent boy seemed so riveting! Enjoy this lighthearted and fast-paced read!

[Guia]

still not done with it yet, guess I'll finish it after dinner or tomorrow, hahah(who cares anyway)!Good Book by Debra Garfinkle! it got me into reading. uhh who's that dude on the cover anyway?cool..

[Wayward Child · Rating 2 out of 5]

A classic coming-of-age story, not very different from hundreds and hundreds of other books with almost identical themes and events. The protagonists' journies are always almost identical. All in all, nothing special.

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting. It definitely kept me laughing, but at the same time it disturbed me. It was predictable, but not at the same time. overall this book was weird and i don't think I'll ever read it again.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was pretty good, but I had to get used to the weird moments. It's a boy's diary as a freshman but I think it is more of a guys only read... figured thay out when I was a few chaps in and I didn't want to stop so. I read it. But whatev.

[D. Reginald Endsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not all that funny

It an okay read. Kind cliche. At least to me the whole thing seemed forced. Maybe I've just never. Been much of scrabble person, something about being able to spell.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halarious!

[elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storky is a memorable character, and this book is LOL funny. Memorable also as a book where a teenager's mom is pregnant.

[Dyllan Schuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very funny teen book. not for lil kids

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit inapropriate for my young age, but dangrusly hilarious. One page will get you hooked.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great young adult book. Sort of reminded me of an American Adrian Mole. Funny, with serious moments and a lot of heart.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

pretty crap book for my opinion
cliche' story

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was so fun to read. It was one of those cant put down books that i read.

[BriTanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storky was an awesome book of the trials of Mike Pomerantz. Read it this summer & honestly it felt like a reality show of the american nerd's life. Very relatable. :)

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in journal format, this book really cracked me up. It did cover serious issues as well, divorce, visitation, death... Is this really how teen boys think? I guess I will never know.