Customer Reviews

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Allen Zadoff has created a really fun, funny character and put him in some hellacious situations. The character (Andrew Zansky) is a little naive - by his own admission he's a fat kid - and totally hilarious. I was really touched by him, and found a lot to enjoy with the female characters Nancy and April as well. This book reflects on the reality of high school with a saucy wit. "Food Girls.." is so fun to read - great for younger men and women, though Grown Ups as well will love this book. I don't know what else to say, except READ IT! You'll be so glad you did!

Few days ago, I saw this book featured at the local downtown Oxnard Library, young adult section. Since I run a middle school public library, I decided to read this book for fun.

Since I have encountered over 300 book reviews on the Internet, on this title, I will limit my comments to just the things I enjoyed about this book and why I would recommend it to other youth/young adult library staff plus high school students:

1.Tender humor on a timely character. Andrew's, first person narrative, obese self-conscious sophomore in high school, of a divorced family household. Enough said. Totally relate-able to teen audience.

2.Lots of great memorable quotes:

"Nancy is oblivious. A girl who has the body mass of a Twinkie can't imagine not fitting into a chair" (p. 26.)

"Now Jessica knows a cheerleader. I am going to own the TiVo for the rest of my life" (p.193)

3.My favorite "scene" in the book: Andrew kicking the soccer ball, knocking over other students like bowling pins and then flying into the goal (pp. 49 - 52).

4.Screen writing opinion. Not sure if there are any book-to-movie offers in the works, but I would like to see this at the box office soon. Please consider the actor James Franco for the role of "O." It feels like the book's character mirrors his many of his memorable onscreen personas.

[...]
Looking forward to reading Mr. Zadoff's other books.

Reviewed links 2/17/10.

Food, Girls and Other Things I Can't Have is a wonderful, heartbreaking, honest, and hilarious story. It has something for everyone and it written in short chapters. I found myself wondering how I had read so much so quickly. While I don't really care for sports at all I could definitely respect Andy's journey to find himself, which included football. He's unhappy with his life and he goes out there and tries to find something new that works for him. Through this journey we meet a bunch of classmates including beautiful April and O. the star football player and Eytan the buddy Andy ditches while trying to find himself.

I loved Andy's voice, he is able to bring humor to every situation. I definitely find Andy relatable in the sense that I know what it's like to be uncomfortable in my skin or my clothes, Zadoff captures that frustration perfectly. Andy also has to deal with divorced parents and a younger sister that is much more popular than him (who I just love). The beauty of this story is he wants more for himself and goes out there and finds it.

The ending isn't what I had originally expected but it did feel right. I will point out though, that the ending was wrapped up much to quickly, leaving me with several questions and providing a transition that could have been a lot smoother in my opinion. But overall I great story! I can't wait to see what Zadoff comes up with next!

Well, I know nothing about football... and I can barely remember high school - but none of that mattered - this book is utterly absorbing and funny and it rings true on all levels. I laughed, I cried. I thought about it long after I finished it. And I'll tell you, even though this is a "Young Adult" novel - it held some poignant wisdom for this adult who has not been young for a while now. I can't recommend this book enough --both for the teenager who is the odd man out or geek or whatever non-mainstream moniker you want to apply AND for the football hero who could use to gain some insight and sensitivity about those on the other side of the fence. Man, I hope they make a movie out of this! Regardless - read it - and make sure your kids read it, too.

Books about overweight kids have been written before, but this one was handled with such LOL humor that it will stand out in my mind while others have faded. I enjoyed it tremendously.

To put into perspective how much I liked it-- my husband came into the bedroom last night at 11 pm and said, "I thought you were going to bed early."

Yeah, well--I did....and then I picked up Food, Girls & Other Things I Can't Have.

Zadoff has written not only an entertaining and sometimes comical story but one of depth and heart. Taking Andrew from geek to chic in ten seconds flat the reader is brought through a gambit of emotions -- self loathing, fear, love, discontent, empathy, distrust and much more. Rolled all together he's created a wonderful story of perseverance and growth.

What worked for me? Andrew is as self deprecating as it gets. He knows exactly who he is and where he sits in the caste system of the typical high school. He is certainly the low man on the totem pole and though he wishes otherwise he is the first to admit he'll never be one of the cool kids sitting at the poplar table. What stood out in his characterization was that though he has a wonderful sense of humor I could always feel just the slightest bit of sadness and trepidation in everything he did or said. Even when I was to believe he was truly happy I always knew that perhaps things weren't all they were cracked up to be.

Zadoff did a fabulous job of showing the bumps in the road. Andrew was mocked and tortured by bullies before during and after he was embraced by the popular crowd. His own behavior towards the "uncool" was objectionable at times. He was in no way perfect yet he was someone the reader could root for. I wanted him to be successful, wanted him to get the girl and be popular and get all the things he thought he wanted out of his family and friends. Then when he went on that journey to do all of that I just adored the events that transpired and what the results were (won't spoil that here though).

That realism is what made this story. It's truly about coming of age and discovering who you really are inside and out. It's about finding what is right for yourself, embracing it and being satisfied with the results.

I admit this book was reminiscent of the movie Lucas which I loved as a teen in the 80s. I've always been drawn to the geek overcomes adversity to be a better person scenario so I really enjoyed the end and where Andrew landed. I felt tremendously satisfied with the why and how of it all. I also liked that there were excellent messages about body image, family, friendship and love without getting remotely preachy. At no time did I feel like I was watching an after school special or being taught all about important social issues. This was thoughtfully written with relatable characters in an interesting and entertaining story that works for audiences young and old.

One of my favorite books of the year I strongly encourage you to pick it up and read it then encourage everyone you know to pick it up and read it too!

I loved this book. I'm an adult who reads alot of teen books as part of my job, and believe me this book is truly a breath of fresh air. During a time when most teen literature seems to be about vampires, werewolves or other creatures, heres a book about how hard it is just being a regular high school kid when you dont really fit the mold. The characters are wonderfully constructed. Andy Zalinsky goes from being afraid of his pants to not being afraid of anything. It's a wonderful journey full of humor and truly heartbreaking moments. I know a lot of high schoolers who would love to re-invent themselves. Andy succeeds at doing this and then learns that he really wasnt so bad to begin with. What a great lesson! I know a few adults who havent quite mastered that one yet. A great book for young adults - I would say 12 and up. I will be recommending it to everyone.