Reality Boy

November 18, 2013 Uncategorized 0

Author: A.S. King

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: Oct. 22, 2013
Pages: 368
Source: ARC from ALA

About the Book: Gerald Faust knows exactly when he started feeling angry: the day his mother invited a reality television crew into his five-year-old life. Twelve years later, he’s still haunted by his rage-filled youth—which the entire world got to watch from every imaginable angle—and his anger issues have resulted in violent outbursts, zero friends, and clueless adults dumping him in the special education room at school.


Nothing is ever going to change. No one cares that he’s tried to learn to control himself, and the girl he likes has no idea who he really is. Everyone’s just waiting for him to snap…and he’s starting to feel dangerously close to doing just that.

In this fearless portrayal of a boy on the edge, highly acclaimed Printz Honor author A.S. King explores the desperate reality of a former child “star” who finally breaks free of his anger by creating possibilities he never knew he deserved.


My Thoughts: I am such a A.S. King fangirl! I mean, Everybody Sees the Ants and Please Ignore Vera Dietz are two of the most powerful books I’ve read. King writes such authentic teen characters. Scratch that, she writes authentic books. Not just the teens. Characters and issues aren’t sugar coated. Nor are they demonized. And, I love the aspects of magical realism!

In Reality Boy King looks at what life might be like for a child reality TV “star.” I find this topic so interesting as I’ve often wondered what life will be like for children who have been on reality TV. Obviously there are stories and things we don’t see on a reality TV show. If the world knew me by select things I did as a child they certainly wouldn’t have a complete idea of who I am! Getting to see how Gerald has adapted and the things he had to deal with really made me think more about this whole idea. 

There are so many interesting characters in this story. Some are interesting like “I want to meet them.” Others are more the “train wreck” variety. Still, each adds to Gerald’s story and gives the reader a greater appreciation of his world and the world at large. There is a particular hockey fan that may be my favorite! (Vague, I know.)

If you’ve never read a book by A.S. King I highly suggest you pick one up! Really, you cannot go wrong. 

Leave a Reply