Reality Boy
A.S. King
New York: Little Brown, 2013.
ISBN: 978-0-316-22270-9
ARC copy reviewed
Do you ever what happens to the kids whose lives are televised for the world to see in the booming age of exploitative reality television? A.S. King certainly does. In her latest novel, protagonist Gerald Faust can tell you from personal experience that it is not a burden you wish on anyone, especially a child. Now a teenager, he is still known and mocked for his fecal exploits on the reality TV show SuperNanny, and the subsequent and unwanted Internet replay stardom. Not surprisingly, he has some serious anger management issues. He boxes, has regular sessions with a therapist, attends special ed classes, and holds a job as he strives to get through his day, despite the bullying that makes him want to explode, and his rather dysfunctional family. He is on the brink, either of collapse or major change. This title is an engagingly and thoughtfully crafted alternative coming of age title. It is strongly recommended to high school aged teens and adults.
