King, A.S. (2013). Reality Boy. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group.
Grade level: 7th-12th
Pages: 353
Lexile Measure: HL620L
Subjects: Family problems, Emotional problems,
Reality television programs,
Self-actualization (psychology), and Fame
Subjects: Family problems, Emotional problems,
Reality television programs,
Self-actualization (psychology), and Fame
Summary: Gerald Faust was five years old when his mother decided to participate in a Nanny reality T.V. show to help with Gerald's anger outbursts. His whole childhood was broadcast on international TV without his approval. He was so traumatized by the show that he would leave feces all around the house earning him the nickname of "The Crapper". The show concentrated on showing the viewers how terrible things were in Gerald's life: how his older sister Tasha does horrible things to him and his younger sister Lisi, how his mother prefers Tasha, and his parents arguments, and his father non-presence. The more dysfunctional the family, the higher the ratings. Gerald is tired of the director telling him how to act and what to say, he just wants control over his life. Twelve years later, his nickname has stuck like glue, he still has violent outbursts, and no friends. His anger management guidance doesn't help much. He meets Hannah, the junkman's daughter as she calls herself, and she becomes his first girlfriend. Hannah sees Gerald as a boy not a TV reality star, and she helps him discover hope in his life. He gives himself chance to start all over and have a normal life.
Reader's response: Wow! This novel reminds me so much of all the reality shows that we see on TV, but we don't know exactly how much is real and how much is acting. Many people that participate in reality shows don't know the value of what their giving up, their privacy. I like how is told in the point of view of the protagonist. I also enjoyed the way the book is written, some chapters are telling the story during the filming of the reality show when Gerald is five and some chapters are telling the story after the show when Gerald is in high school. This is a great novel to teach young adults about the many ways anger presents itself and how we can cope with it. The book will appeal to many different readers since we all have experience anger in some point in our life, but not all of us are able to control it.
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