Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

Going, K.L. (2004) Fat Kid Rules the World. NY: Speak.
ISBN: 978-0142402085
Awards: Young Reader's Choice Award 2006
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2005-2006)Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice (2006)
Printz Honor (2004)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2004)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2003)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2005.02|Own Your Freak, 2005)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2010.04|Bodies, 2010)
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2003)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Obesity, Depression, Suicide, Acceptance, Friendship, Drugs
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Troy is 17, almost 300 pounds and seriously depressed. Just as he is about to jump in front of a train Troy is saved by the words of a skinny homeless teen who turns out to be a guitar genius. Troy begins seeing the world in a new light as the two start a rock band.
Summary: Troy and Curt make an unlikely pair. Troy, at 6'1" is near 300 pounds and being raised in a military family. Curt is a skinny semi-homeless teen addicted to prescription medicine. Their bond begins the day Troy is contemplating jumping in front of a subway train and Curt talks him out of it. Curt, it turns out, is THE Curt MacCrae, guitar genius that occasionally attends Troy's school. Much to Troy's surprise, Curt invites him to be the drummer for his new punk band. Fat and insecure, Troy, soon Big T, slowly gains confidence and self respect through his friendship with unreliable and sometimes liar, Curt.
Evaluation: This is the story of one person saving another despite social, emotional, economic, and physical differences. Curt manages to save Troy by ignoring Troy's self loathing and believing in him. The characters in this book are imperfect, but passionate in a way that adds to the stories overall honesty. Great story!