Fat Kid Rules the World
 | |
| Author | K. L. Going |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult novel |
| Published | June 23, 2003 Penguin Group |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | 978-0-399-23990-8 |
Fat Kid Rules the World is a young adult novel published by American author K. L. Going in 2003. The story follows a suicidal, 296 pound teen, Troy Billings, who befriends a local guitar legend, Curt MacCrae, who insists that they form a band together with Troy playing drums. KL Going has stated it was inspired by a mix of punk music, Kurt Cobain biographies, and a rejection letter she received from an editor.[1]
Plot summary
[edit]Troy, a seventeen year old, 6'1", 298 pound student is contemplating suicide when a homeless former student from Troy's school, Curt MacCrae, intervenes. MacCrae tells Troy that he saved his life, now he owes him a favor, so he insists that they start a band together with Troy playing drums. The only problem is that Troy can't play drums.
Together, Curt and Troy create the band Rage/Tectonic. Although unable to play drums, he goes right into practicing for an upcoming gig. In the process, Troy finds self-confidence and acceptance while realizing he is desperately trying to save Curt's life from drug addiction and abuse.
Reception
[edit]Fat Kid Rules the World received mostly positive reviews from critics. The Open Critic stated "K.L. Going makes a great example of teen's life in this great book. Every page will leave the reader thinking of just how more anyone can change."[2] Ilene Cooper from Booklist said, "The narrative could have been tighter in places, but this is an impressive debut that offers hope for all kids--dross transmuted into gold."[3] The novel was awarded the Michael L. Printz Award honor for literary excellence in young adult literature.[4]
Despite the above, the book has been a frequent target of censors; the novel appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000–2009 at number 58.[5]
Film adaptation
[edit]A film adaptation of Fat Kid Rules the World premiered on March 9, 2012, at SXSW in Austin.[6][7] It was filmed in 2011,[8] under the direction of Matthew Lillard, with Jacob Wysocki, Matt O'Leary, and Billy Campbell in the cast.[9][10] Mike McCready of Pearl Jam composed the film's soundtrack.[11] Although the novel is set in New York, the film was shot and set in Seattle,[8] with Capitol Hill being used as a backdrop.[12] Fat Kid Rules the World is to be one of the four final feature films to be filmed in Seattle under a Washington financial incentive program.[13] Reviews have been mostly positive.[14] Curt's name is changed to "Marcus" in the film version of the story.
References
[edit]- ^ "Fat Kid Rules the World". Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
- ^ "Fat Kid Rules the World, K.L. Going". The Open Critic. Archived from the original on 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ http://booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=216172&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 [dead link]
- ^ "Michael L. Printz Winners and Honor Books". www.ala.org. Archived from the original on 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
- ^ Office of Intellectual Freedom (2013-03-26). "Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2021-06-12. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
- ^ "Fat Kid Rules the World: SXSW Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 10 March 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ^ "Reviews | Film Threat". Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
- ^ a b "Library Journal". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ "Exciting Movie News!". 6 June 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
- ^ "Billy Campbell Joins 'Fat Kid Rules the World' Cast". 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 September 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ^ "Pearl Jam's Mike McCready and Matthew Lillard Have Big Plans for 'Fat Kid'". Archived from the original on 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
- ^ "Fat Kid Rules the World on 11th Ave". 27 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ^ Jaffe, Elisa (August 5, 2011). "Summer films mark a wrap for film industry in Wash. state". Archived from the original on 2012-06-16.
- ^ "Fat Kid Rules the World (2012)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
