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

Here's a brief rundown from Mr. Zadoff's site: Life used to be so simple for Andrew Zansky—hang with the Model U.N. 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? When O. Douglas, the heartthrob quarterback and high school legend, saves him from getting beaten up by the school bully, Andrew sees his chance to get in with the football squad.

Is it possible to reinvent yourself in the middle of high school? Andrew is willing to try. But he’s going to have to make some changes. Fast.

Can a funny fat kid be friends with a football superstar? Can he win over the Girl of his Dreams? Can he find a way to get his Mom and Dad back together?

How far should you go to be the person you really want to be?

Andrew is about to find out.

Usually, it's girls who are so body concious, or maybe guys just don't talk about it as much.  It was refreshing to see this from a guy's perspective. 

Andrew has a sister who's a pain, an over protective mother, a self-absorbed father, and a huge crush a girl at school.  I loved Andrew's sense of humor.  He was a great character, very real.  He finds himself falling in with the football team, but leaving his old friends behind.  If you reinvent yourself, do you have to turn your back on everything and everyone that came before?  Is it worth it to do so?  In the end where will Andrew find himself?  I believe Andrew finally starts asking himself the tougher questions like: Are the people who liked you as you were from the beginning better or just different?  Shouldn't you do things because they make you happy, not to make others more accepting of you?

I enjoyed this book alot.  I like the fact that those larger messages were there, as well as the fact that the main character was not the drop dead gorgeous guy that all the girls swoon over; he was something much more attractive, real.  Humor coupled with realistic issues kept the pages turning for me.  A memorable part was where Andrew and a rival teammate were discussing their favority poets out on the field.  The cover is cool too.  No sex or swearing, I would say 13 and up.  I give this 3 1/2 roses!