Book Review of "Fat Kid Rules The World" By K. L. Going

I got the book "Fat Kid Rules The World" by K. L. Going from my local library. This is the only book mentioned in an earlier article that I posted concerning the Illinois School District 126.
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Illinois School Pushes Smut on Children as Young as 12 with Porn-Laden Book
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Special to LifeSiteNews.com
By J. Matt Barber
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http://lenicheministry2.blogspot.com/2007/08/illinois-school-pushes-smut-on-children.html
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The school district is under fire from parents due to recommending certain books for the summer reading list to 8th graders. ( 12 to 13 year old's) Parents have complained that three of the six books recommended by the school were age-inappropriate due to adult oriented content.
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I just finished reading "Fat Kid". I like the book a lot, and I would have liked this book when I was a teen. I liked to read, and liked stuff like this. I cannot tell you how many times I read "The Outsiders" - I loved this book.
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I have to say that I agree with the parents.
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I believe that the school is playing fast and loose, and being a bit too liberally minded, with the parents and with what the parents believe to be appropriate for their young teens.
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The standards at the school are in question when content is encouraged like this to 12 and 13 year old's.
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I agree with the parents that the school should not recommend material that contains content like this without first warning them. The book is not porn-laden or pornographic, but it is of a more adult oriented content.
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(There are people who would disagree with my more moderate view, and would not approve of their children - young teens reading content like this at all.)
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The book touches on homosexuality, but not specifically - It seems to be in the context of, or hints at, prostitution. The book touches on suicide, drug use/abuse, drinking, and punk-rock - underground - music. (I remember something somewhat similiar to this as far as the meeting place called "The Dump" in my local area when I was a teen - But I don't live in a large city like NY City)
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The book does contain graphic language, and some questionable-smutty leaning, adult oriented situation-stuff. The book touches on some serious issues. I would not want my grandchild reading this book until she was much older. I believe that the book would be more appropriate for 15 year old's or so who would be a bit more savvy as far as this.
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BUT the book is not about the content. It's about young people - specifically two young people (very troubled young people Troy and Curt) - struggling with this content in their world and how it doesn't - on a daily basis - ending up destroying them.
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The book has a very good story and moral, and would be good for young people to relate to.
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I very much recommend this book. (Just to older teens and up.)
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The book received some awards/honors:
-- A Michael L. Printz Honor Book
--An ALA BBYA
--A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
--A Booklist Editors' Choice
--An SLJ Best Book Of The Year
--A Miami Herald Best Book Of The Year
--A Lambda Literary Award Winner
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The author - From book: K. L. Going
lives in Beacon, New York. Since graduating from college, she has worked as an adult literacy tutor, a ticket agent for an airline, a front-desk clerk at a resort hotel, and a bookstore salesperson. Currently, she works in a Manhattan literary agency. She has lived in Maine, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and New York City. This is her first novel. www.klgoing.com
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