Customer Reviews

Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This book is written about and probably for teens. Still, at 68 years old, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The clichés and jargon are different from those I used in the 50s, but the emotions, issues and situations are the same. They are timeless and resonated within me, whisking me back to high-school; I could actually feel those days again. I laughed out loud throughout and got soppy at the end. I predict Storky becomes this century's Holden Caulfield, better adjusted. No matter your age, so long as you are or ever have been a teenager, it's a good read.

There is probably no more pivotal time in the life of an adolescent than their freshman year of high school.

Reputations are made, reputations are trashed, cliques are formed, the hot couples change as often as clothing fads, and every dramatic breath taken in results in an equally histrionic exhale out.

Welcome to the life of Michael Pomerantz, aka Storky, an unfortunate moniker owing to his height/weight ratio.

Confounded by the heated onset of puberty, 9th grade, unrequited love and familial dysfunction, Storky begins an online journal, taking us through his first, and very awkward, year of high school. This insight into the mind of a 14 year old provides a forbidden sense of voyeurism, while at the same time offering up laughs galore.

At turns tender and tragic, Debra Garfinkle also manages to weave a solid line of humor throughout. Whether delicately handling the emergence of "Rex" - Storky's phallic alter ego, his unrequited lust for Miss Popular, or his damaged relationship with his divorced and dating father, Debra captures the insecurity, confusion and wellspring of hope hidden inside every 14 year old boy (and girl).

What I found fascinating is that the book, written for Storky's age group, is not only a teen page turner - my own 13 year year old read it cover to cover in under 24 hours - But I found my 39 year old self as easily swept up in the book as I was taken back to my own high school struggles to fit in yet stand out.

Major kudos to Debra for managing to get inside the mind of a puberty challenged young man and believably write his story.

My daughter, three of her friends, two of their parents, myself and my husband (the book is still making the rounds) highly recommend this book. Buy it for your teen, but read it for your own enjoyment.

The new Harry Potter may take your child on a temporary, magical ride to an out of this world place, but Storky and the hilarity of a reality your child is actually living through, will linger long after Harry and his wand have been put back on the bookshelf.

There is a little Storky in all of us and your teen will come away knowing that he/she is not alone in all their jumbled, crazy, heated, confusing feelings, and you will be treated to a walk down memory lane that will leave you laughing and wondering how you ever survived high school!

STORKY is another funny diary book to enjoy but from a guy's point of view. Specifically, from Michael "Storky" Pomerantz's scribblings about his life as a freshman in high school.

Michael, as he prefers to be called, is hoping that things will get better in school this year. Gina, his longtime friend and Scrabble player, suddenly seems more interested in dating guys who treat her badly when she could have Michael instead! Doesn't she notice how he always comes to help her when she calls? Or how he takes her to the Snowball at the last minute when she has no date? Or how he gives her plot summaries for their English assignments?

Gina is not the only one who doesn't appreciate Michael. His own father continues to make excuses not to see him on his court-appointed weekend outings. Michael's sister refuses to see their Dad, but Michael keeps trying to make it work, no matter how badly Dad treats him.

In the meantime, Michael is beginning to find some allies in the fun and pretty Sydney from Spanish class as well as new friend Nate. His mother is dating someone seriously who treats them well, even if he is kind of dorky. Friends and family help Michael get the confidence he needs to stand up to those who do not appreciate him.

Funny and realistic, Michael/Storky's story is a great read.

   --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Now I am Over 13, but Didnt Want An Account So Don't Get The Wrong Idea

Now Mike Pomerantz aka Storky is a freshman in highschool and is going through some normal teenage things.

I thought this was a well written book for a female women, but unless you have some real bad hormone problems most guys arnt like that(or that much of a pervert) So If Your A Girl And You Have Read This Book DO NOT THINK THAT EVERY GUY THINKS LIKE THAT.

This book was a highly entertaining book and slightly disturbing on my part but yeah...Well I would Highly Recomend This Book To People :)

A lot of people have talked about how this book about a GUY was written by a GIRL (or, rather, a woman). Yeah, she did it. Very convincing. But the real story is that really that she wrote a funny, touching, believable story about a character I wish I knew. Good show!

This book not only "swooshed" me back in time to my own high school days, but it also brought memories of my children's high drama of high school. How little reactions (both mental and physical) have changed since then ... and I confess, that was a looooooong time ago.

Although Storky's a male, and I'm a female, this author brought not only Storky's feelings but the feelings of all the characters into this story ... in funny and pathetic ways of which we can all relate.

And, YES, like most teen boys from time immemorial, there's the inevitable Miss Popular for Storky to lust after, an insensitive father ... and the other high school problems that will trigger the memories of all who read this well-written book. This is a page-turner for teens and for their parents and grandparents, also. I could see the "comic tragedy" of teens shining through the pages AND, in hind-sight, the healthy learning experiences for Storky and the realistic characters in this book.

I recommend this book for ALL AGES. It was a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane for me. A great job, Debra Garfinkle! Keep 'em coming; you have found your niche.

Laugh out loud funny with a lot of heart, STORKY chronicles the freshman year of Mike Pomerantz as he tries to come to terms with his place in the world while dealing with his burgeoning sexuality, his divorced parents (and their escapades), and an elderly man at a nursing home whom Mike visits for both competitive Scrabble games and a little bit of sage advice (which is not the kind of advice you'd expect!). Garfinkle has perfectly captured the agonies and joys of being a fourteen-year-old boy. I love love love this book.