Description

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For fans of Starfish, the funny and heartbreaking story of a 16 fat kid who’ll do anything to be accepted—or will he?

As Eugene “Pudge” Gutterman starts his junior year of high school, he is hoping just to get through life. His father has abandoned the family, his mother nags him about his size—and about going to med school—and Eugene would like to just hide out through the year, and maybe write a play. 

But his plan doesn’t work when he accidentally tackles the star of the high school football team in gym class, and Eugene gets recruited to play the team. Him, Eugene, a football star? Suddenly popular, Eugene has access to the world he’s dreamed about. The life of “The Pops”, the secret world of athletes, parties, and dating. To Gutterman, it’s like a school within the school he’s known.

But it’s not all it seems from the outside—the cool kids have a lot of pressure on them, too, and Eugene has to find out if he has the guts to break out on his own, and finally be seen for who he really is, in plus size clothing and all.

About the Author

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Allen Zadoff is the author of nine novels and a memoir, including the thriller series The Unknown Assassin, which debuted to starred reviews and was a YALSA Top Ten Pick for Reluctant Readers. The series has been translated into over a dozen languages and is in active development at Sony Pictures. Allen's most recent middle-grade sci-fi action series, Wild & Chance, is available now. A former stage director, Zadoff is a graduate of Cornell University, the Harvard University Institute for Advanced Theater Training, and the Warner Bros. Writers Workshop.

Praise For…

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"There’s a scene in this book where a character has to stretch out a sweater while nervously preparing to attend his first high school party and I have never felt more seen. Allen Zadoff has written a book just for me. A heartbreaking coming of age tale that finds triumph in failure. Football, first crushes, theater and donuts. I love this book." —Yehudi Mercado, author of Chunky and Sci-Fu

"A masterful page-turner. You’ll root for Eugene long after the final chapter. Chef’s kiss!" —Lisa Fipps, Printz Honoree for Starfish