Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff

311 pages

Gateway Nominee

I almost groaned out load when I cracked this one open...'oh great. another book about a fat kid' (their words). I didn't much like Fat Cat, so I wasn't enthused about this one. But, it turned out to be very good.

(from the back of the book)

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? Discover a hidden talent for football, of course. When O. Douglass, the quarterback and high-school legend saves his from getting beaten  p by the school bully, Andrew see his chance to get in the football crowd.
Is it possible to reinvent yourself in the middle of high school? Can a fat funny kid be friends with a football superstar? Can he win over the girl of his dreams?
Andrew is about to find out.