A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year *ÒFanboyÕs whip-smart, often hilariously sarcastic voice . . . adds fresh, urgent perspective to age-old questions about how young people cope with . . . being misunderstood as they try to discover themselves.Ó ÑBooklist, starred review ÒA captivating, darkly entertaining first novel.Ó ÑTom Perrotta, author of Election and Little Children

Fanboy has never had it good, but lately his sophomore year is turning out to be its own special hell. The bullies have made him their favorite target, his best (and only) friend seems headed for the dark side (sports and popularity), and his pregnant mother and the step-fascist are eagerly awaiting the birth of the alien life form known as FanboyÕs new little brother or sister.

Fanboy, though, has a secret: a graphic novel heÕs been working on without telling anyone, a graphic novel that he is convinced will lead to publication, fame, andÑmost important of allÑa way out of the crappy little town he lives in and all the people that make it hell for him.

When Fanboy meets Kyra, a.k.a. Goth Girl, he finds an outrageous, cynical girl who shares his love of comics as well as his hatred for jocks and bullies. Fanboy canÕt resist someone who actually seems to understand him, and soon he finds himself willing to heed her adviceÑto ignore or crush anyone who stands in his way.