Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Egmont USA (2011), Paperback, 320 pages
Description
Fifteen-year-old Andrew Zansky, the second fattest student at his high school, joins the varsity football team to get the attention of a new girl on whom he has a crush.
User reviews
LibraryThing member stephxsu
High school sophomore Andrew Zansky is 307 pounds of fat, and as a result he doesn’t fit in anywhere. He’s awkward around his perfection-seeking family and ignored in school by his more beautiful classmates. When Andrew falls for the beautiful new girl, April, he decides, much to his geeky best
To his surprise, Andrew is halfway decent at football, and as he begins to grow close with his teammates, he finds that his “stock” has risen. However, Andrew doesn’t really want to play football, however, and he begins to uncover things about his teammates and April that unsettle him and make him question all his actions. What will he do to make sure he stays true to himself?
It’s been so long since I’ve been impressed by and enjoyed a book about an obese kid’s attempt to fit in at his/her high school, but FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN’T HAVE had me grinning, cringing, and unable to put it down. Allen Zadoff writes convincingly of Andrew’s misadventures and eventual self-discovery.
As the protagonist, Andrew is charming without trying too hard, a perfectly proportioned teenager (emotionally, if not physically). Likewise, every other teenager in this book has his or her ups and downs, good sides and bad sides. O., the quarterback who befriends Andrew, is smooth at the top of the social pyramid and yet has real worries and doubts; April, Andrew’s love interest, has legitimate reasons for acting two-faced. Zadoff achieves what many other writers cannot: an effortless three-dimensional characterization that defies black-and-white and stays true to the complexities of adolescent nature.
FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN’T HAVE brings together the best of YA realistic fiction—empathetic protagonist, complex characters, and a relatable conflict—to be a lingering read. This is a book that cannot get too much attention, as it will be worth all the talk and badgering to just read this book already.
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friend’s chagrin, to join the football team—partially to impress her and partially because he wants so badly to fit in somewhere.To his surprise, Andrew is halfway decent at football, and as he begins to grow close with his teammates, he finds that his “stock” has risen. However, Andrew doesn’t really want to play football, however, and he begins to uncover things about his teammates and April that unsettle him and make him question all his actions. What will he do to make sure he stays true to himself?
It’s been so long since I’ve been impressed by and enjoyed a book about an obese kid’s attempt to fit in at his/her high school, but FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN’T HAVE had me grinning, cringing, and unable to put it down. Allen Zadoff writes convincingly of Andrew’s misadventures and eventual self-discovery.
As the protagonist, Andrew is charming without trying too hard, a perfectly proportioned teenager (emotionally, if not physically). Likewise, every other teenager in this book has his or her ups and downs, good sides and bad sides. O., the quarterback who befriends Andrew, is smooth at the top of the social pyramid and yet has real worries and doubts; April, Andrew’s love interest, has legitimate reasons for acting two-faced. Zadoff achieves what many other writers cannot: an effortless three-dimensional characterization that defies black-and-white and stays true to the complexities of adolescent nature.
FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN’T HAVE brings together the best of YA realistic fiction—empathetic protagonist, complex characters, and a relatable conflict—to be a lingering read. This is a book that cannot get too much attention, as it will be worth all the talk and badgering to just read this book already.
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LibraryThing member jenniferthomp75
Andrew Zansky (perhaps modeled on author Allen Zadoff...hmm) is an overweight teen struggling socially in high school. When a hilarious accident in gym class (seriously, I was howling on the subway when I read it) inadvertently leads him to land on the football team, Zansky's social status changes
At first, I was really annoyed with all of the fat jokes that the character was making about himself. I felt it was over-the-top and that the author was trying to hard to showcase his sense of humor. However, once Andrew starts playing football, a real character emerged. The growth that Andrew's character has is believable and honest. I really grew to love the character and root for him. The book is touching and heartfelt but also humorous. Definitely recommended.
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from geek to cool.At first, I was really annoyed with all of the fat jokes that the character was making about himself. I felt it was over-the-top and that the author was trying to hard to showcase his sense of humor. However, once Andrew starts playing football, a real character emerged. The growth that Andrew's character has is believable and honest. I really grew to love the character and root for him. The book is touching and heartfelt but also humorous. Definitely recommended.
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LibraryThing member Irisheyz77
Food, Girls and Others Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff is a wonderful story about trying to find oneself when you don't quite fit in. Its a story that its easy for anyone to relate to because we have all been there. We've all had moments when we feel like we're on the outside looking in. And
I loved the voice of Andy he was sweet and funny and the progression of events was believable. The chapters are short which helps make this book into a fast read and each starts with a funny lead in title. Although I am not usually a fan of chapter titles as they can reveal things to come that haven't been reveled yet. This was a fun story and there is a little something in it for everyone. There is dealing with bully issues, romance, struggling to overcome the odds and even a little of chasing the dream. There is a little bit of Andy inside everyone and I think that he'll endear himself to everyone who reads his story. This is a wonderful coming of age story and I loved watching as Andy learned from the choices he made - both good and bad. This is a quick read because it sucks you in...I read the book in one sitting, which rarely happens these days. So if you have a quiet afternoon then you might want to spend it getting to know Andy a little better.
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we've all struggled with trying to find ourselves in the treaterous place known as high school. Andy Zansky isn't popular by any means, he's the second fattest kid in his class and his main claim to fame in school is to be a member of the model UN with his best friend. Then one day Andy sees a girl who he knows is far out of his league....she is pretty and working her way into the popular crowd. Usually Andy would pine from afar but something is different this time and he decides to try and change things. So when an opportunity arises to try out for the football team he goes for it. But at what cost? Will he climb the popularity ladder? And if he does, what is he leaving behind?I loved the voice of Andy he was sweet and funny and the progression of events was believable. The chapters are short which helps make this book into a fast read and each starts with a funny lead in title. Although I am not usually a fan of chapter titles as they can reveal things to come that haven't been reveled yet. This was a fun story and there is a little something in it for everyone. There is dealing with bully issues, romance, struggling to overcome the odds and even a little of chasing the dream. There is a little bit of Andy inside everyone and I think that he'll endear himself to everyone who reads his story. This is a wonderful coming of age story and I loved watching as Andy learned from the choices he made - both good and bad. This is a quick read because it sucks you in...I read the book in one sitting, which rarely happens these days. So if you have a quiet afternoon then you might want to spend it getting to know Andy a little better.
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Andrew weighs 306 pounds. He's fat, and self-conscious about it. then he is recruited for the football team, and gets a chance to hang with the popular kids. Does that make him popular?
LibraryThing member galleysmith
Zadoff has written not only an entertaining and sometimes comical story but one of depth and heart. Taking Andrew from geek to chic in ten seconds flat the reader is brought through a gambit of emotions — self loathing, fear, love, discontent, empathy, distrust and much more. Rolled all together
What worked for me? Andrew is as self deprecating as it gets. He knows exactly who he is and where he sits in the caste system of the typical high school. He is certainly the low man on the totem pole and though he wishes otherwise he is the first to admit he’ll never be one of the cool kids sitting at the poplar table. What stood out in his characterization was that though he has a wonderful sense of humor I could always feel just the slightest bit of sadness and trepidation in everything he did or said. Even when I was to believe he was truly happy I always knew that perhaps things weren’t all they were cracked up to be.
Zadoff did a fabulous job of showing the bumps in the road. Andrew was mocked and tortured by bullies before during and after he was embraced by the popular crowd. His own behavior towards the “uncool” was objectionable at times. He was in no way perfect yet he was someone the reader could root for. I wanted him to be successful, wanted him to get the girl and be popular and get all the things he thought he wanted out of his family and friends. Then when he went on that journey to do all of that I just adored the events that transpired and what the results were (won’t spoil that here though).
That realism is what made this story. It’s truly about coming of age and discovering who you really are inside and out. It’s about finding what is right for yourself, embracing it and being satisfied with the results.
I admit this book was reminiscent of the movie Lucas which I loved as a teen in the 80s. I’ve always been drawn to the geek overcomes adversity to be a better person scenario so I really enjoyed the end and where Andrew landed. I felt tremendously satisfied with the why and how of it all. I also liked that there were excellent messages about body image, family, friendship and love without getting remotely preachy. At no time did I feel like I was watching an after school special or being taught all about important social issues. This was thoughtfully written with relatable characters in an interesting and entertaining story that works for audiences young and old.
One of my favorite books of the year I strongly encourage you to pick it up and read it then encourage everyone you know to pick it up and read it too!
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he’s created a wonderful story of perseverance and growth.What worked for me? Andrew is as self deprecating as it gets. He knows exactly who he is and where he sits in the caste system of the typical high school. He is certainly the low man on the totem pole and though he wishes otherwise he is the first to admit he’ll never be one of the cool kids sitting at the poplar table. What stood out in his characterization was that though he has a wonderful sense of humor I could always feel just the slightest bit of sadness and trepidation in everything he did or said. Even when I was to believe he was truly happy I always knew that perhaps things weren’t all they were cracked up to be.
Zadoff did a fabulous job of showing the bumps in the road. Andrew was mocked and tortured by bullies before during and after he was embraced by the popular crowd. His own behavior towards the “uncool” was objectionable at times. He was in no way perfect yet he was someone the reader could root for. I wanted him to be successful, wanted him to get the girl and be popular and get all the things he thought he wanted out of his family and friends. Then when he went on that journey to do all of that I just adored the events that transpired and what the results were (won’t spoil that here though).
That realism is what made this story. It’s truly about coming of age and discovering who you really are inside and out. It’s about finding what is right for yourself, embracing it and being satisfied with the results.
I admit this book was reminiscent of the movie Lucas which I loved as a teen in the 80s. I’ve always been drawn to the geek overcomes adversity to be a better person scenario so I really enjoyed the end and where Andrew landed. I felt tremendously satisfied with the why and how of it all. I also liked that there were excellent messages about body image, family, friendship and love without getting remotely preachy. At no time did I feel like I was watching an after school special or being taught all about important social issues. This was thoughtfully written with relatable characters in an interesting and entertaining story that works for audiences young and old.
One of my favorite books of the year I strongly encourage you to pick it up and read it then encourage everyone you know to pick it up and read it too!
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LibraryThing member ylin.0621
Can we just say how funny this book is? This is laugh out loud, rolling on the carpet floor getting a 3rd degree burn funny. Allen Zadoff gave the perfect balance of an emotional wrenching book and a hilarious outspoken book.
While this book is more towards the male audience with talks of football,
Andrew, Andy, is not the fattest kid in school but the second which makes worst. He tries but falls at trying to find his place in school. He’s kind good at being a diplomat in the Model UN but when April catches Andy’s eyes he’s determined to reach it to the top of the high school pyramid—a football player. Which it turns out, Andy’s actually good at. But Andy can only pick one side, the Model UN and his skinny best friend Ethan or the football players and April the cheerleader. Andy embarks on a journey of self finding, and weight issues that seems to be a selective generic trait in his family.
This book gives the reader an addiction that you cannot be contained until the entire novel is devoured. It touches the bases of weight issues, family problems, little sister phobia, high school crushes, high school lessons all with an incredulous feeling that Andy cannot believe he’s actually popular…sort of. While Andy doesn’t lose like 100 pounds in the book, he becomes healthier with the help of football and learns to use his weight to the fullest potential.
The family issues are the result of a nasty divorce from an equally nasty affair. Andy tries to reconnect with the dad and through football he does. His father admits that whichever he chooses, to quit or to continue, he’s proud of Andy.
Andy learns that to not put so much faith on just one man especially when it comes to love as he finds out with April…and O. Douglass. He grows, develops, understands, and lives on.
Overall: An amazing novel that tackles the issue of weight like never before.
While this book is more towards the male audience with talks of football,
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belching, how to lay a girl, there’s a bit for us ladies as well…that is if you enjoy cooking…or eating actually. Andrew, Andy, is not the fattest kid in school but the second which makes worst. He tries but falls at trying to find his place in school. He’s kind good at being a diplomat in the Model UN but when April catches Andy’s eyes he’s determined to reach it to the top of the high school pyramid—a football player. Which it turns out, Andy’s actually good at. But Andy can only pick one side, the Model UN and his skinny best friend Ethan or the football players and April the cheerleader. Andy embarks on a journey of self finding, and weight issues that seems to be a selective generic trait in his family.
This book gives the reader an addiction that you cannot be contained until the entire novel is devoured. It touches the bases of weight issues, family problems, little sister phobia, high school crushes, high school lessons all with an incredulous feeling that Andy cannot believe he’s actually popular…sort of. While Andy doesn’t lose like 100 pounds in the book, he becomes healthier with the help of football and learns to use his weight to the fullest potential.
The family issues are the result of a nasty divorce from an equally nasty affair. Andy tries to reconnect with the dad and through football he does. His father admits that whichever he chooses, to quit or to continue, he’s proud of Andy.
Andy learns that to not put so much faith on just one man especially when it comes to love as he finds out with April…and O. Douglass. He grows, develops, understands, and lives on.
Overall: An amazing novel that tackles the issue of weight like never before.
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LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
I always root for the loners and the kids who dare to be different and the kids who don’t necessarily care what other people think. Maybe I identify with them, who knows. So, you know I’m going to root for 306.4 pound Andrew Zansky. He’s the guy who can barely fit on those chair-desk combos
Andy meets April at a wedding that his mother is catering and falls for her. He lies and tells her he’s a jock and she believes him. He’s shocked to find out that April goes to his school and is in some of his classes. When she learns he lied, she’s extremely disappointed. There are two kinds of heavy, according to Andy. The first is the physical weight. The second is when you lie to someone and disappoint them.
When O., the football star quarterback, saves him from bully Ugo, they begin to talk. It’s football tryouts and Andy decides to try out. Surprisingly, he makes the varsity team as its center. He’s got to lie to his best friend and fellow geek Eytan, who would not understand his decision. He’s got to lie to his mother who wouldn’t let him play because (a) she’s overprotective and (b) he’s got asthma.
As you can imagine, Andy’s naïve. He thinks that all is his problems are solved now that he’s a jock. But he soon learns otherwise. He learns people are not always honest. He learns a lot over the few months that he plays.
Food, Girls and Other Things I Can’t Have by Allen Zadoff is a fun read. Yeah, parts are sad, but parts are also funny. The chapter titles are great. You can’t help but love Andy. You can’t help but feel sorry for him as he ponders the high school hierarchy. You can’t help feel sorry for the superficial kids he encounters. But one thing you do know…Andy’s smart and he’s going to figure it out. (By the way, Allen Zadoff/Andrew Zansky. Hmmmm!!!)
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that some schools have. He’s the guy who falls in love with a girl who barely knows he exists. He’s also the guy who won’t give a plain girl, a girl who dares to be different, the time of day. He’s the guy who joins the Model UN club instead of the football team. Andy meets April at a wedding that his mother is catering and falls for her. He lies and tells her he’s a jock and she believes him. He’s shocked to find out that April goes to his school and is in some of his classes. When she learns he lied, she’s extremely disappointed. There are two kinds of heavy, according to Andy. The first is the physical weight. The second is when you lie to someone and disappoint them.
When O., the football star quarterback, saves him from bully Ugo, they begin to talk. It’s football tryouts and Andy decides to try out. Surprisingly, he makes the varsity team as its center. He’s got to lie to his best friend and fellow geek Eytan, who would not understand his decision. He’s got to lie to his mother who wouldn’t let him play because (a) she’s overprotective and (b) he’s got asthma.
As you can imagine, Andy’s naïve. He thinks that all is his problems are solved now that he’s a jock. But he soon learns otherwise. He learns people are not always honest. He learns a lot over the few months that he plays.
Food, Girls and Other Things I Can’t Have by Allen Zadoff is a fun read. Yeah, parts are sad, but parts are also funny. The chapter titles are great. You can’t help but love Andy. You can’t help but feel sorry for him as he ponders the high school hierarchy. You can’t help feel sorry for the superficial kids he encounters. But one thing you do know…Andy’s smart and he’s going to figure it out. (By the way, Allen Zadoff/Andrew Zansky. Hmmmm!!!)
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LibraryThing member lisagibson
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
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.
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
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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.
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
Andy defines himself by his weight. When he meets a stunning girl at one of his mom's catering jobs and then she shows up as the new girl at school, he makes some drastic changes to try to alter his status. He joins the football team and finds a new place to belong where his size might be an asset.
I liked that the ending took a twist I didn't expect, and I enjoyed the voice of Andy's character.
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I liked that the ending took a twist I didn't expect, and I enjoyed the voice of Andy's character.
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LibraryThing member kimpiddington
First chapter is a great read aloud- book is funny but has heart.
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
It's been awhile since I read a book that I enjoyed as much as this one. Andy is a supremely likeable protagonist dealing with typical high school problems (the popular kids, a crush on a girl, divorcing parents). Solid contemporary fiction from an author who's now one I will be watching.
LibraryThing member Dauntless
Contemporary teen fiction with a male protagonist. Well-written.
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Andrew Zansky is having a tough time as he enters his sophomore year in high school. His parents are getting divorced; he can’t stop eating though he already weighs 306.4 pounds; his mother buys him jeans that have his waist size (48!) printed on the outside label; he met the love of his life at
Andy does a lot of growing up in that fall semester of sophomore year. He discovers inner resources he never knew he possessed and learns some hard lessons along the way. I love how Zadoff lets the reader into the mind of this sensitive teenager – a young person who struggles with the same things most of us struggled with: insecurity, body image, unrequited love, betrayal, disappointment, and fear. But Andy is also a champion; he reminds us that we each have talents and dreams that are no less important for being different from the talents and dreams of others around us.
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a wedding and will never see her again. But all is not lost. He does have his friend Eytan, a fellow geek who is on the model UN team (this year they get Estonia … a step up from last year), and together they try their best to avoid the bullies and work out a plan to get great girlfriends. When he discovers that the girl he’s been dreaming of is the new girl in school, things being to look up. And they get even better when his size becomes an advantage – snagging him a place on the varsity football team. Suddenly he’s one of the “popular” kids. Andy does a lot of growing up in that fall semester of sophomore year. He discovers inner resources he never knew he possessed and learns some hard lessons along the way. I love how Zadoff lets the reader into the mind of this sensitive teenager – a young person who struggles with the same things most of us struggled with: insecurity, body image, unrequited love, betrayal, disappointment, and fear. But Andy is also a champion; he reminds us that we each have talents and dreams that are no less important for being different from the talents and dreams of others around us.
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Awards
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 2012)
Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers (Nominee — 2012)
Sid Fleischman Humor Award (Winner — 2010)
Language
ISBN
1606841513 / 9781606841518
Local notes
Andy, an overweight high school sophomore, is bullied by his peers, overprotected by his mother, and ignored by his type-A, absent father. As the school year begins, his friend Eytan has plans for the pair to shine as representatives of Estonia at the model UN meetings, but Andy has his eye on new girl April. When he is recruited as center for the football team, everything changes. For the first time, he experiences parties, girls—including April—and popularity.