The Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl (Young Adult Realistic Fiction)

  Lyga, B. (2006). The Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl. New York. Houghton Mifflin Company.

   I didn’t really realize it at the time but both of my realistic fiction books feature “outsiders” and goth teens. I didn’t do that on purpose! In fact, as a high school teacher for the last 10 years, I have seen that the whole “goth” look has pretty much disappeared in my school. Anyway, I did find this book to be, again, an interesting, quick read.

   Fan Boy is a comic book nerd in high school with one real friend. He is small and is the frequent target of bullying. He escapes into comic books and has, in fact, written one himself. His dream is to show it to a famous writer and get it published.

   Fan Boy connects with Kyra, Goth Girl, after she takes pictures of him being beaten up in gym class. She has problems of her own and the two of them find a deeper connection than he has had with any girl. Fan Boy eventually gets a chance to live out his dream but finds that things aren’t always what he had hoped.

   This book will appeal to probably most teens. It’s not as odd as “Debbie Harry”. It’s more upbeat because it shows that finding something to focus on, in this case comic books, can help you through anything and can help you set goals.

 

Debbie Harry Sings in French (Young Adult Realistic Fiction)

       Brothers, M. (2008). Debbie Harry Sings in French. New York. Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

   This book was a quick, interesting read.  I don’t think all high school students feel like outsiders but those who do will be able to relate.

   Johnny’s father is dead. His mother is having trouble coping. He starts dressing like an emo (goth) and drinking heavily. Johnny loves 80’s punk type music and falls in love with Debbie Harry. After he almost dies when someone slips him drugs, he is sent to live with his uncle in the South. Johnny discovers he has a penchant for dressing in women’s clothing. His new girlfriend, who has her own problems,  encourages it and, in fact, helps him put together a Debbie Harry outfit to try to win money in a drag show in Atlanta.  

   The story is about accepting and embracing who you are. It is an easy read that will appeal to most teenagers, even if they don’t feel like outsiders.