Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl [Hardcover]

D. L. Garfinkle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

Michael Pomerantz doesn't have great expectations for high school-people are still calling him "Storky," his mom is dating his dentist, and his father can barely sit through their Sunday night dinners. The only bright spot so far is his weekly Scrabble game with an old-timer at the Senior center-not very encouraging.
But over the course of the year, things start to pick up for Michael. A new friend introduces him to the joy (and misery) of social drinking, a sophomore with great legs seems unfathomably interested in him, and Dr. Berman the dentist turns out to be an okay guy. But then a startling announcement from Mom threatens to destroy all of Michael's progress.
Like a boy Georgia Nicholson transplanted to San Diego, Storky is a hilarious journal of teen trials and tribulations written with incredible depth and sensitivity. In no time, you'll be rooting for Storky to lose his nickname and win the girl.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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.–Tracy Karbel, Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. High-school freshman Mike Pomerantz is tall and too skinny, with bird legs and wiry hair. He has an unrequited crush on fellow smart-kid--beautiful, popular Gina--who scorns him. Mike confides his troubles to his computer journal, with wry humor and deliciously bitter caricatures. As the school year progresses, Mike makes new friends (including an ancient Scrabble genius at a retirement home), grows in self-confidence, and, yes, wins the girl--though not the one he originally thought he wanted. Laugh-out-loud embarrassing situations leaven what could have been just another problem novel. Garfinkle perfectly captures teen boys' preoccupation with sex; Mike has dubbed his penis "Rex," and an ill-timed erection in Spanish class ("Down, Rex! Down!") is one of the funniest scenes in the book. This first novel shows a real flair for comedy and dialogue and genuine empathy for the awkward teen in all of us. Debbie Carton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (April 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399242848
• ISBN-13: 978-0399242847
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,373,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A humorous survival story of high school freshman year, November 18, 2005

By 

Reader "Carrie" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl (Hardcover)

Girls may go "Ew," but they will still be fascinated by a peek into freshman Mike "Storky" Pomerantz's brain. Boys will see their reflection in the main character's obsession with girls and his awkward attempts to keep his body in check. Everyone will enjoy the humor.

What sets this story apart, and keeps it from being chick lit in drag, is a nicely done subplot concerning Mike's dentist, who begins dating his 40-year-old mother in the first chapter. The progression of this romance, juxtaposed with Mike's growing realization that his own father is selfish and will never put his children's needs first, makes for a winning debut.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good!, June 19, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl (Hardcover)

I loved this book because I can really relate to all the things Storky's going through, like puberty and girls. But its really sad because his dad is always stiffing him and stuff but other than that, bravo!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My FAVORITE this year!, November 12, 2005

By 

Mary E. Pearson "Mary E. Pearson" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl (Hardcover)

Honestly, I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. But it was absolutely incredible. Everyone mentions the humor--and it is on target and laugh out loud funny--but it has just as many thoughtful, heart-rending moments as we experience Storky's adjustment to his parent's divorce. I'd be laughing one moment and crying for Storky in the next. And it was all done with so much wit. Garfinkle is an author to watch.