Food, Girls, & Other Things I Can’t Have by Allen Zadoff

Posted In: Book Review

Food, Girls, & Other Things I Can’t Have by Allen Zadoff

Release Date: September 8, 2009
Publisher: Egmont USA
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
From: publisher
Interest: debut author

Life used to be so simple for Andrew Zansky–hang with the Model UN guys, avoid gym class, and eat and eat and eat. He’s used to not fitting in: into his family, his sports-crazed school, or his size 48 pants.

But not anymore. Andrew just met April, the new girl at school and the instant love of his life! He wants to find a way to win her over, but how? When O. Douglas, the heartthrob quarterback and high-school legend, saves him from getting beaten up by the school bully, Andrew sees his chance to get in with the football squad.

Is it possible to reinvent yourself in the middle of high school? Andrew is willing to try. But he’s going to have to make some changes. Fast.

Can a funny fat kid be friends with a football superstar? Can he win over the Girl of his Dreams? Can he find a way to get his mom and dad back together?

How far should you go to be the person you really want to be?

Andrew is about to find out.

Three words; touching, heartfelt, humorous!

This novel was so refreshing! I can’t remember the last time I actually enjoyed a novel about an obese person trying to fit in, in High School. Usually with this type of story, I’m frustrated and cringing. But with FG&OTIVH (yeah I’m not going to type that out again!) I couldn’t stop turning the pages about this likable, realistic and charming character.

Andrew is classic. He is a very believable high school guy. He’s not the fattest kid in his school, he’s the second fattest, and in some sort of warped sense that’s even worse, because Andy can’t even be the best at being fat. He knows he eats to much, but he uses food as his coping mechanism for all the crap that’s going on in his life; divorce, bullying, crushes, football. Andrew doesn’t do a complete 360 in this novel and lose a hundred plus pounds, but it’s almost better that way. It’s realistic. He does however, resolve some of the issues that aren’t helping his weight, and hopefully that will ultimately lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The writing was awesome, the plot was engaging, and the characters were spectacularly portrayed.

Definitely recommend it.

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