LSSL 5385: Reality Boy

King, A.S. 2013. Reality boy. New York: Little Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316222709

Gerald Faust is a seventeen year old now known at “The Crapper” thanks to his mother’s willingness to sign her family up for a reality TV show when he was five.  Gerald was at the center of family dysfunction at an age when he could not communicate his feelings, so he gained attention the only way his five year old self knew how - by pooping on things.  This was, of course, the highlight of the show - a show that left out what was really behind all of Gerald’s behaviors that were essentially a cry for help.  Reality Boy is a story about how the teen navigates life after the show.  From bullying at school and in his own home, to the effect of his teacher’s treatment of him, his realization of his own mother’s mental struggles and his decision to run away and join the circus, this is an amazing story of resilience and growth.  Gerald makes a decision about his life’s course and how he will change it and takes a stand to make that a reality.  

With lots of language, some violence, and stories of abuse, this book is better suited for high school age and above.  As a teacher, it is an eye opening read into the mind of a teenage boy.  Educators should always stop to consider what may actually be going on in the minds and homes of their students.  Gerald is a key example of a kid who is trying very hard to make it in life under the most extreme and difficult circumstances.  Though there was more language than I care for in a book, it is likely very realistic of what many teens are used to in today’s society and I can understand why there would be a huge audience for this book.  Read half of the book and listened to the audio version of the other half.  The reader was engaging and gave life to the characters.  

A.S. King was on the list of required authors.