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The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
Author: Barry Lyga
Is this my hidden Mutant Power--The ability to screw up absolutely any decent situation? Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favourite target., his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity), and his pregnant mo...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780618723928
ISBN-10: 0618723927
Publication Date: 10/2/2006
Pages: 320
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 16

4 stars, based on 16 ratings
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Craftykimmy avatar reviewed The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I just finished reading this book and I don't know why it isn't more popular. It was as good as "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher which is waaay more well-known and has over 200 wishers atm. I highly recommend this book! I don't know much about graphic novels or comics and I still loved this book, so don't let that scare you off. It's one of those YA novels that bring you back to the gritty reality of high school and how hard it is, and yet how things can change in an instant as well. The sequel sounds great too: "Goth Girl Rising."
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ophelia99 avatar reviewed The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl on + 2527 more book reviews
I have been wanting to read this book for a while. When I got "Goth Girl Rising" through the Amazon Vine program; I decided that that was the perfect excuse to go ahead and buy this book. It was a very good book. I enjoyed it and had trouble putting it down.

Fanboy is having a rough year. His mom is pregnant with his step-dad's kid, his step-dad doesn't understand him, he only has one friend, and everyone at school picks on him. There is one thing that he lives for and that is a graphic novel he is working on called Schemata. He meets Goth Girl, aka Kyra, and in her finds a kindred comic book spirit. Kyra has troubles of her own though.

This was a great book. I loved the comic book references. Mainly this book is about finding your place in life and becoming who you want to be, never-mind what the rest of the world thinks about that. This book accurately catches the feelings and troubles of high school; with real characters that you are rooting for and really like. Fanboy challenges the American perception that being smart is uncool and being a hard headed jock is awesome. He also deals with how smart jocks moderate their behavior to fit in with both types of high school crowds.

I liked Fanboy and thought he was a believable and interesting character. As Fanboy tries to get his graphic novel noticed you are holding your breath and waiting for what will happen next. Goth girl came off as a bit annoying and brash; but I think that was the point. The plot was well done; my only complaint would be the open ending. I guess the ending was a bit too "real life" for me; that is we don't really know what happens with anything. I am hoping some of that is resolved in "Goth Girl Rising".

A great book all around. This should appeal to a large audience; especially young adults or people who want to re-visit high school trauma. Comic book geeks or smart people in general will find a lot to relate with in Fanboy.
Cantnever avatar reviewed The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl on + 161 more book reviews
This was a fascinating book for me. Not my usual choice, but riveting. I was interested in it because of the author who I had read about in our local paper. The topic being bullying. Fresh (to me) and I couldn't put it down. Recommend. Obviously not all readers will love this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Not for young children, although children of todays public schools may find this old news and hardly shocking.


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