Stupid Fast (Felton Reinstein trilogy, 1)
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults * YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults * 2011 Cybils Award Winner, Young Adult Fiction * Junior Library Guild Selection * ABA Best Books
A moving yet hilarious coming-of-age teen comedy about a reluctant athlete just trying to make it through high school, perfect for fans of John Green.
I AM NOT STUPID FUNNY.
I AM STUPID FAST.
My name is Felton Reinstein, which is not a fast name. But last November, my voice finally dropped and I grew all this hair and then I got stupid fast. Fast like a donkey. Zing!
Now they want me, the guy they used to call Squirrel Nut, to try out for the football team. With the jocks. But will that fix my mom? Make my brother stop dressing like a pirate? Most important, will it get me girls--especially Aleah?
So I train. And I run. And I sneak off to Aleah's house in the night. But deep down I know I can't run forever. And I wonder what will happen when I finally have to stop.
Perfect for readers looking for:
- teen sports books
- a bullying book to spark conversations
- books for teenage boys 14-16
Also in this series:
Nothing Special (Book 2)
I'm With Stupid (Book 3)
Praise for Stupid Fast:
"Whip-smart and painfully self-aware, "Stupid Fast" is a funny and agonizing glimpse into the teenage brain. . . .In that gap between being big and being grown-up lies a lot of the best young-adult fiction, including Geoff Herbach's painfully funny debut, "Stupid Fast."--The Star Tribune
"Reading Felton's thoughts, feelings, fears, and frustrations are sometimes funny as well as touching, revealing his gentle and sensitive side amidst the stupid. This title provides a great read for all teen and adult readers. I loved this!"--Library Media Connection, *STARRED REVIEW*
"A rare mix of raw honesty and hilarity. Stupid Fast is Stupid Good!" --Peter Bognanni, author of The House of Tomorrow
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Community Reviews
Felton Reinstein struggles with some serious changes the summer before his sophomore year in high school - his best friend has to spend the summer in Venezuela, his hippy-dippy mom turns into a certified wackadoodle, and he discovers the truth about his dead father. Oh yeah, and Felton grows a foot taller, begins running, and becomes stupid fast.
What began as angsty, teenage guy drama ended up being much more enjoyable than I anticipated. Parts of the first half of the book didn't really mesh. Felton's mom and little brother cracking up were mentioned matter-of-factly, as most of the details were spent describing Felton's new jock friends and delivering newspapers on Gus's paper route. What?! He seems more worried about food than his family. Another issue was that Felton and Aleah instantly begin dating - with her father's approval (because that happens every day). Probably the biggest piece to swallow was that Felton had never played football, never even been to a football game, but he's suddenly the new football star - as a rising sophomore. Really?!
However, as the story progresses and Felton begins his downward spiral, I was thoroughly entertained. Felton's stream-of-consciousness thoughts paired with the awkward conversations with Aleah and the jocks seem pretty authentic. I imagine high school boys will identify with Felton and completely ignore the improbabilities in the story that bug the crap out of me.
What began as angsty, teenage guy drama ended up being much more enjoyable than I anticipated. Parts of the first half of the book didn't really mesh. Felton's mom and little brother cracking up were mentioned matter-of-factly, as most of the details were spent describing Felton's new jock friends and delivering newspapers on Gus's paper route. What?! He seems more worried about food than his family. Another issue was that Felton and Aleah instantly begin dating - with her father's approval (because that happens every day). Probably the biggest piece to swallow was that Felton had never played football, never even been to a football game, but he's suddenly the new football star - as a rising sophomore. Really?!
However, as the story progresses and Felton begins his downward spiral, I was thoroughly entertained. Felton's stream-of-consciousness thoughts paired with the awkward conversations with Aleah and the jocks seem pretty authentic. I imagine high school boys will identify with Felton and completely ignore the improbabilities in the story that bug the crap out of me.
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