Lines I liked about The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl:
“He seems to believe that my dislike of the Jock Jerks is passive, as if I just can’t be bothered to go to sporting events. But I actively don’t care about them. I mean, I work at not caring about those morons!” (p. 54) – Yes, I felt that way sometimes in high school.
“I half expect her to break into some sort of rap. Eight, late, don’t hesitate. Something.” (p.100) Alleviate, try not to hate, love your own mate, don’t suffocate (Go INXS).
“Don’t ask me if you’re beautiful. Don’t ask me if you’re beautiful. Because you’re not. You’re not ugly, but you’re not beautiful, and if I call you pretty or cute, I think you’ll probably kill me.” (165) LOVE THIS – so many female figures are beautiful, or their non-beauty (Could that actually be a word?) is a major part of their character. It’s great to have a regular-looking character!
“More howls. Wow. The pecking order doesn’t just peck me. Cool.” (255) This is when Fanboy finally goes out with Cal and his friends and they pick on one of their own. It’s the beginning of him opening his eyes, and coming out of his self-centered world.
Fanboy and Goth Girl? Loved it! OK – maybe it was all a little to pat and happy at the end, but I was worried I was in for another Nineteen Minutes. I loved that one too, but didn’t think I could handle another book on that topic so soon after. I guess not every bullied kid will shoot up a school, even in literature. I also liked that it clearly took place outside of NYC; he is dependent on SOMEONE giving him a ride, whether it’s Kyra, his stepfather, or the school bus. That might even open up some eyes of those city kids. 
This (or its equivalent) will definitely go in my library!
3 responses so far ↓
lbraun // April 3, 2008 at 10:28 am
It’s funny, I talked with someone last week who thought the end was too open-ended and she was worried that Goth Girl was going to end up doing something drastic.
And, I’m curious after reading the quotes. Did you feel that FB&GG was better written than GG and even better written than other teen books we’ve read this semester?
Jess // April 3, 2008 at 10:36 am
Yes, I agree that Kyra’s ending is not pat at all. I’d like to read the sequel, but I fear there is none. What does happen to her?
Better written? Good writing to me is captivating, not an English teacher’s criterion, unless the writing is awful. So, not necessarily – I just enjoyed some specific lines. Some spoke to me personally, some made me laugh out loud, and some made me start singing 80’s music.
Amber // April 4, 2008 at 10:41 am
I admit that I loved some of those lines too. They were things that I sometimes say to myself.