The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girlby Barry Lyga

• ISBN: 9780618723928
• Plot summary: Fanboy is a comic geek, a smart student, but also one of the most isolated students at South Brook High--or so he thinks. He goes through his day being shoved into lockers and being a target in dodge ball, but when he goes home, he fills his world with the work of Schemata, his 100+ page graphic novel (so far). Fanboy finds and unlikely friend in Cal, a cool lacrosse player who also happens to be a closet comic geek. When Fanboy meets Kyra, aka Goth Girl, she pushes him to make Schemata even better so he can show his comic idol, Brian Michael Bendis, at the upcoming comic convention in town. In the end, the safety of his friends wins out over the success of his graphic novel. He has time for that yet.
• Critical evaluation: The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl was a very engaging novel, taking the reader through the thoughts of geeky Fanboy as he tries to survive his days in high school so he can come home and submerge himself in what he believes to be his life's work. The passion Fanboy feels for creating his graphic novel is a bright contrast to the way Fanboy feels at home, in the house of his very pregnant mother and the step-fascist and at school with few to call his friends. His relationship with Goth Girl is complicated, though very realistic in it's portrayal of how two very different people struggle when trying to communicate and show that they care about one another when neither of them are used to doing that. The rejection by his idol Bendis is heartbreaking, but Fanboy's resolve to continue doing what he loves is inspiring.
• Reader's annotation: Fanboy has few wants in this world, but when he decides to show his idol his life's work, things don't go exactly as planned.
• About the author: Barry Lyga is a YA author living in NYC.
• Genre: Fiction
• Curriculum ties, if any: None
• Booktalking ideas:
• Do you think Fanboy was right to tell Goth Girl's dad that she needed help?
• Do you think Fanboy's relationship with his parents will continue to improve?
• Reading level/interest age: 15+
• Challenge issues: Underage drinking/smoking, profanity, sexuality
• Why was this item included? Barry Lyga is a highly recommended YA author.