Advance Reader's Copy, paperback.

"Troy Billings, at six foot one, 296 pounds, is standing on the edge of a subway platform, seriously contemplating suicide, when he meets Curt McCrace -- an emaciated, semi-homeless punk guitar genius who also happens to be a dropout legend at Troy's school on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
'I saved your life,' Curt tells Troy. 'You owe me lunch.'
Troy can't imagine refusing; after all, think of the headline: FAT KID ARGUES WITH PIECE OF TWINE."

I received a copy of this book from a kind friend along with some other advance copies. Since I know I won't have time to read the book immediately, I will send it on a bookring journey to meet new readers and to find out their thoughts.

Ring complete - 6564 miles traveled!

Participants:
pinewood21093, Maryland (read and released)
tamugrad02, Virginia (read and released)
fly46, Ohio (read and released)
sejent, Kentucky (read and released)
Tamster33, California (read and released)
back to me, kristamd, Maryland

Mailing to first partcipant, pinewood21093, this weekend. Enjoy!

No, Fat Kid's not lost. I've been on vacation and just got back! I'll start this tomorrow and send on by the end of the week! Thanks, and I'm sorry for the delay!

Gosh, i can't beleive I've had this so long. I've just not had time to send it out, although I posted a question about it on the book chat. This is a book that I wouldn't pass on to all kids, andhow is parent to know whether a kid can deal with it without reading it first. I'd like to see more stories about kids who aren't "at risk" living in desperate poverty, with junkie abusive parents, trying to overcome their problems. Most kids I know aren't living in that situation. Where are books for them that help them to overcome their admittedly minor problems (by comparisons) but that will speak to them and help them grow to healthy, effective adults and parents?

Got this in the mail today!! Yea!! The book I'm in the middle of right now so one that I can start and stop without any problems, so I will start this book today. Will journal again when I'm done!

Wow! I finished Fat Kid in record time. I thought the first chapter was fairly grotesque, but the rest of the book was pretty good. The end was predictable, but a good read no less. I will be sending this out to Fly46 in the next day or two.

Jumping in to express my amazement at our speedy reader in Virginia! Since starting the ring, I've had the chance to read FAT KID, and while it didn't rule my world, I didn't hate the book either. My favorite parts were Troy's first music concert and the Curt Comes to Dinner scene. I also loved the realistic family dynamics, especially The Marine. To bounce off mmz's comments, I think young people will enjoy this book as an expression of one person's life -- remember that youth as well as adults read to be entertained and not just instructed. We'll be discussing this book next month on adbooks.org as part of our end-of-year-awards discussion, so I imagine I'll have lots more to think about when the time comes.

UGH. Why did I get this so soon?
Thanks for the book. I'll do my best to get to it as soon as possible.

So now I'm sitting here waiting to type and wondering how personal I should make this journal entry be. I did finally get around to reading this book, and I must say that I was rather surprised. No, the book wasn't the best in the world. The writing could use a little something. And the puke was kinda gross.
But I have to say. I grew up in small town America, and I know Druggies, a Marine father, some fat kid who knows what it's like to get winded going up stairs. My reaction to seeing the pic of the writer was "OMG there's no way a skinny chick could be so right on with a Fat kid's emotions" I'm pretty sure she was fat earlier in this life, or all throughout a previous one.
I would give this book to anyone. To me, it's a story of overcoming personal demons and ending up fitting in. Easier said than done, and the author said it well.

13 May, 2004.
I am not going to sit here and explain myself.
Just know that this book was stalled with me for a number of reasons. Many were beyond my control. Some were not.
Whether or not I have read this book - and regardless of how badly I wanted to read it - it's going.
A period of my life is changing, and with it, out must go quite a bit.
I am moving to Nashville in a few weeks, save an apocalypse. Also sans apocalyps, I am thus doing a mass exodus of books.
Regardless of any feelings or ill will towards me, I assure you that I have kept this book safely in my care. It was in the company of other books that have kept it from being lonely. It was probably even read by my mother who, sans an act of God, will not come and journal the books no matter how many times I try to convince her to.
I still don't have any money, but I have just enough to put this in a box and ship it off to nyisutter, who has graciously offered to send these to whoever their next intended participant is.

Goodbye little book. Be well loved and have a good life.

I received this in a box of books I am helping Fly46 move on. Will contact next person and get this on the road again.

Thanks nyisutter for unstalling this ring! I have sent some stamps to help defray your costs. Glad to see this book moving again.

Received in today's mail...will start reading soon and will journal again when I have finished. Thanks nyisutter for sending this on!

Soraidh requested to be skipped, so I am sending on to Tamster in San Francisco, CA.

This came in while I was on vacation. Will read ASAP and pass on. Thanks!

Finally finished this last night. Sorry for keeping it so long.

The book was ok. I had a hard time getting into it, but I can't put my finger on why. I liked the characterizations and seeing the growth in Troy with his relationships with others, especially his dad. I found the book a little too ABC Afterschool Special-ish, but I'm glad I had the chance to read it.

I've PM'd fruitbat for an address. Will mail off as soon as I get it.

Thanks!

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to Kristamd via media mail

The Fat Boy has returned home after a cross country trip with several stops! Thanks to all who participated in the ring.

RELEASE NOTES:

"Never Judge a Book by Its Cover" 2006 release, week 36: black. Along the Lake Shore Trail.

Dear Finder: Welcome to BookCrossing! Thanks for taking the time to visit the site. Please make a journal entry to let me know that you have found this book. If you are new to BookCrossing and choose to join, please indicate that you were referred by kristamd. BookCrossing is a great group to join – membership is free. Your name, email address, or other information will never be shared or sold.

Please take your time and read the book at your own pace. You can make a journal entry when you finish to record your thoughts about the book. Then, when you are ready to send it on its way, make a release note and leave it somewhere “in the wild” for another lucky reader to find. You are also welcome to pass the book along to someone you know, or keep it if you like.