Dough Boy [Paperback]

Peter Marino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2007

Overweight, fifteen-year-old Tristan, who lives happily with his divorced mother and her boyfriend, Frank, suddenly finds that he must deal with intensifies criticism about his weight and other aspects of his life when Frank's popular but troubled, nutrition-obsessed daughter moves in.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10–In this funny but heart-wrenching story, 15-year-old Tristan spends one week with his college-professor mom and her boyfriend Frank, and the next with his college-professor dad and his girlfriend, and the situation works for everyone. Tristan's excess weight has always bothered him but since both of his parents live with heavy partners, he's been able to deal with it. But all that changes when Frank's daughter moves in. Beautiful, calorie-conscious Kelly turns heads, but her mouth is lethal as she immediately zeroes in on Tristan's weight and twists a knife into the wounds that she inflicts on his self-esteem. Things go from bad to worse as her cruelty, added to the casual torment by other students, finally causes Tristan to recognize that he needs to remove himself from the toxic atmosphere and live exclusively with his dad, and to find coping mechanisms to help him deal with the school atmosphere. The ending is hopeful as the teen regains his humor and discovers how much he enjoys cross-country skiing. A priority purchase for all libraries serving teens.–Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Fifteen-year-old Tristan has always been fat. This has never particularly bothered him because Mom and her boyfriend, Frank, aren't upset about it, and because his best friend Marcos'popularity has always shielded him from bullies. All that changes, however, when Frank's attractive, weight-conscious daughter, Kelly, moves in. Tristan is intimidated by her beauty and the scathing arguments she has with her father, and when she begins dating Marcos, the boys'friendship fades. Tristan is miserable, but fearing Kelly's scorn, he hesitates to tell his parents. It's only after Kelly slaps him during a heated argument that he decides he's done turning the other cheek. In his disarming debut, Marino explores not only bullying and body issues but also blended families and the lengths to which people will go to make their mergers successful. Tristan's rocky journey of self-acceptance will appeal to fans of K. L. Going's Fat Kid Rules the World (2003), Carolyn Mackler's The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (2003), and, of course, Robert Lipsyte's classic One Fat Summer (1982). Jennifer Hubert
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (May 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823420965
• ISBN-13: 978-0823420964
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,859,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Weight

More About the Author

Peter is an English professor at Adirondack Community College in upstate New York He won the SUNY Chancellor's Award in 2006 for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activity. Dough Boy and Magic and Misery, his young adult novels, have won critical acclaim from all the major industry publications. His plays have been produced in the 9th Annual New York City 15 Minute Play Festival, the Samuel French 2003 Short Play Festival, and SlamBoston! 2005, 2006, and 2009.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bittersweet tale, September 30, 2005

By 

Suzanne Appleyard (Queensbury, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dough Boy (Hardcover)

What a wonderful book! I loved Mr. Marino's characters. I think everyone on some level can identify with Tristan. And for those rare individuals who are Kellys and/or Marcos, perhaps they could learn something!

Even though this book is recommended for young adult readers, I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading it. What great lessons in understanding, compassion, empathy and tolerance.

I look forward to more of Mr. Marino's work!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very touching and funny book., August 31, 2006

By 

T. Ecobelli "Tecobelli" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dough Boy (Hardcover)

I have a son who is struggling with his weight. I saw this book and thought I'd give it to him to read. While flipping through the pages I got hooked and decided to read it first. I was really touched. The writing is funny and sensitive. There are no cliche answers to the lead character's problems. It's quite moving the way he learns to find his own way and refreshing to see that losing weight is not the only key to his happiness. My son is currently reading it and tells me he enjoys it too. This is a very unique book and I strongly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dough Boy, December 16, 2005

By 

Glenda Calhoun (Jackson, SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dough Boy (Hardcover)

If you are a teenager or were one, you'll identify with some of the dilemmas facing the Tristan character. A fragile era of everyone's life, this particular teen's predicaments are acutely narrated. Phrases such as, "My face glowed like an embarrassment thermometer," remind adults of a vulnerable time and relate to those still in the throes of growing pains. Teen insensibility and insensitivity are cleverly crafted into an entertaining story. Tristan's tale may be unique but his feelings are universal.