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

Reviewed by Lori
Food, Girls, And Other Things I Can't Have
Title: Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have

Author: Allen Zadoff

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 37965

Description:  Fifteen-Year-Old Andrew Zansky, the second fattest at his high school, joins the varsity football team to get the attention of a new girl on whom he has a crush.

Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It

Why I Read It: The title is fantastic and the first two sentences of the book had me hooked.

Lori's Notes: Andrew Zansky knows that there must be a God because he's not the fattest kid in school...he's the second fattest. Bullied, with only one friend, he's a social outcast until he joins the football team.  Although this brings him the sense of acceptance he's longed for he realizes that being part of the popular clique isn't all that it's cracked up to be.  And being popular does not necessarily mean being happy.  A very good read, with laugh out loud moments.

Recommended Reader: Grade 9 and up.  A particularly good read for boys.  Would be a good book for reader's circles or whole class reading.

Themes: Bullying, Self-Acceptance, Choices, Friendship, Family, Eating Disorders, Anorexia, Binge Eating, Peer Groups, Popularity, Cliques, Self Perception, Football

Cross-Genre Links: 
Movie: All the Right Moves (1983)
Movie: The Blind Side
Music: Gunnin' by Hedley
Music: Beautiful by Christina Aguilera
Canadian Mental Health Association: Eating Disorders

Possible Discussion or Essay Questions: 

  • Why does Andrew join the football team?
  • How does his social status change once he joins this group?
  • What is Andrew's relationship with food?
  • Andrew is very big and his sister is very small?  Does his sister represent another type of eating disorder?  What makes you think so?
  • Do you think Andrew is being used by the team?  By his girlfriend?
  • What does Andrew discover about himself?
  • Do you think that being popular is the same as being happy?

Other Titles by Allen Zadoff:




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