Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have [Hardcover]

Allen Zadoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2009

What’s worse than being fat your freshman year?
Being fat your sophomore year.

Life used to be so simple for Andrew Zansky–hang with the Model UN guys, avoid gym class, and eat and eat and eat. He’s used to not fitting in: into his family, his sports-crazed school, or his size 48 pants.

But not anymore. Andrew just met April, the new girl at school and the instant love of his life! He wants to find a way to win her over, but how? When O. Douglas, the heartthrob quarterback and high-school legend, saves him from getting beaten up by the school bully, Andrew sees his chance to get in with the football squad.

Is it possible to reinvent yourself in the middle of high school? Andrew is willing to try. But he’s going to have to make some changes. Fast.

Can a funny fat kid be friends with a football superstar? Can he win over the Girl of his Dreams? Can he find a way to get his mom and dad back together?

How far should you go to be the person you really want to be?

Andrew is about to find out.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8–10—Andy, an overweight high school sophomore, is bullied by his peers, overprotected by his mother, and ignored by his type-A, absent father. As the school year begins, his friend Eytan has plans for the pair to shine as representatives of Estonia at the model UN meetings, but Andy has his eye on new girl April. When he is recruited as center for the football team, everything changes. For the first time, he experiences parties, girls—including April—and popularity. Initially bogged down by the teen's self-deprecating comments and jokes, the plot begins to develop as Andy describes his new experiences with humor and wit. He is realistic as he shovels food into his mouth to assuage pain and embarrassment, struggles to maintain his friendship with Eytan after abandoning Estonia, and allows himself to be manipulated by teammates. But the author does not lead Andy down the expected path. When forced to make a decision, his choice is unique and the conclusion satisfying. Although these characters lack the intensity of Eric and Sarah in Chris Crutcher's Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes (HarperCollins, 1993), many readers will relate to Andy, his desire to be popular, and his insecurities. The possibly offensive locker room language is typical and lends credibility. More importantly, Andy's character is thoughtful and refreshing.—Sue Lloyd, Franklin High School, Livonia, MI END

About the Author

Allen Zadoff was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and went on to live in upstate New York, Manhattan, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. A former stage director, he is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard University Institute for Advanced Theater Training. His memoir for adults is called Hungry: Lessons Learned on the Journey from Fat to Thin. He currently teaches writing in Los Angeles. Visit Allen at www.allenzadoff.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: EgmontUSA (September 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606840045
• ISBN-13: 978-1606840047
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Allen Zadoff was born in Boston, Mass and went on to live in upstate New York, Manhattan, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. A former stage director, he is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard University Institute for Advanced Theater Training. His novel Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have is the recipient of the 2010 Sid Fleishchman Humor Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers. His memoir for adults is called Hungry: Lessons Learned on the Journey from Fat to Thin. His new novel, My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies, will be published in May 2011. He currently teaches writing in Los Angeles.

Visit Allen on the web at www.allenzadoff.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, hilarious, poignant, timely, October 14, 2009

By 

Kaye Michaelson (Studio city, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have (Hardcover)

I was completely absorbed by this book, once I picked it up I couldn't put it down! It is so well written, so funny, with such a wonderful message about being oneself in the face of the tremendous pressure of adolescence coupled with society's twisted love affair with food/war on fat. Given the recent statistic that 66% of Americans are overweight, this book lands smack in the middle of the national zeitgeist with compassion, razor-sharp intelligence and humor. This is a great book for teens and adults - fat or thin.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh Out Loud Funny!, September 18, 2009

By 

Darcy Wishard "libraryloungelizard.com" (Kelso, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have (Hardcover)

Okay, first let me say that this book had me literally laughing out loud...as in: I'm laying in bed reading and my kids keep coming into my room asking me "What's so funny?" Yes, it is THAT funny! Plus, anytime I find a book from a boys perspective that's NOT entirely about sports, well that's nice.

Andrews character is very likable and realistic...and I suspect any teen (or adult for that matter) could relate to him even if they aren't overweight. Very few of us are completely happy with the way we look and most of us have dreamed at one point or another of being that person that everybody admires and envies.

The author gives great insight to what its like to be so self conscious of yourself that it rules your every thought and action. Things like "Will I even fit in that desk in my classroom?" Or "Will I ever have a girlfriend/boyfriend?" Sometimes the desperation kids feel to "fit in" makes them do things they normally wouldn't do...as Andrew soon finds out.

This is a funny, well written book that shines the light on what its like to be that overweight kid in school. A lot of people think its as easy as just watching what you eat or exercising, but really its a lot more than that as we find out in Andrews case. Heartwarming and inspirational without being overly sentimental (which might make boys avoid reading it) I highly recommend this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, September 12, 2009

By 

Jeffrey E. Sanzel (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have (Hardcover)

What a wonderful book! This extraordinary young adult novel can be read on many levels and has as much to offer its adult readers as its younger ones. The story is compelling, humorous, and always honest. The characters are vividly brought to life with a truth and complexity that is engaging from first page to last. The story is strongly universal but also has several twists that separate it from more common literature of the genre. A cross between HOW I PAID FOR COLLEGE and THE CHOCOLATE WARS, this is the perfect follow-up to Zadoff's memoir HUNGRY.