Reality Boy

King, A. (2013). Reality boy. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.  

Summary: When Gerald Faust was five, his family was in a reality TV show called Nanny Network. Gerald's anger escalated to the point of his defecating in inappropriate places (on the kitchen table, in shoes, at stores, and even spreading feces on walls) in order to get attention, thereby earning his nickname "The Crapper". The show continued for several seasons, when during the final episode Gerald punched the "fake" nanny in the nose, all broadcast on national TV. It was clear his oldest sister Tasha had been very abusive to both Gerald and their sister Lisi, but no adult would help. Tasha dropped out of college, and then lived at home in the basement with her boyfriend, continuing to abuse the entire family.  His father retreated into his work and alcohol.  Lisi withdrew by staying in her room reading and smoking pot, and then went to college in Scotland.  Gerald had no friends and hated his life, fully expecting to end up in jail or dead, and found his escape in imaginary days he called "Gerdays". His mother placed him in a special education class for being "retarded", and he eventually realized she was so consumed by Tasha that she could not love anyone else.  At the age of sixteen, Gerald met Hannah while they both worked in a concession stand, and soon found out her life as the daughter of a junkman and mentally ill mother was as bad as his. They fell in love, and "kidnapped" each other during a trip to Florida. They came home six days later after his father promised to move out with Gerald, and Hannah's family agreed to get help. Gerald finally resumes his education in regular classes and is looking forward to graduating and pursuing college with the hope of eventually marrying Hannah and having a normal life.

Commentary: Gerald is the first person narrator using current events during high school along with flashbacks to episodes of the reality TV show when he was a child.  He uses trances to remove himself from difficult circumstances through his extra "Gerdays" and talks Snow White and other Disney characters to help guide him, often transitioning between reality and fantasy as a coping mechanism.  From the outside, he is sometimes envied for his new car, big home in a gated community, nutritious meals, and fame.  But he actually has an extremely dysfunctional family controlled by his psychopathic sister and enabling mother, who is more concerned with keeping up appearances than loving her children. The plot is somewhat predictable, but leads to an uplifting conclusion of healing, acceptance and hope. The book is appropriate for middle school to high school. Even though there is some violence and sex, it is not graphically described, so the book could be enjoyed by younger adolescents.  It certainly presents the negative side of reality television with the understanding that it is not a true reflection of life at all.

Connections: Everybody Sees The Ants by A. S. King, I Crawl Through It by A. S. King, and Ask The Passengers by A. S. King