The Great American Whatever in Mock Printz 2026

Jun 09, 2016 Carol Royce Owen rated it it was amazing

When I ordered this book I was pretty sure of two things. One, I wouldn't be able to put it on my bookshelf for K-6 students at school, because unlike Five Six, Seven, Nate and Better Nate Than Ever, this one is definitely meant for young adults. I was ok with that, though, and I'll find someone who can include it in their collection because of number two. Number two is that it would likely have the fast paced, spirited, zippy train of thought filled writing that I loved from Tim Federle's earli When I ordered this book I was pretty sure of two things. One, I wouldn't be able to put it on my bookshelf for K-6 students at school, because unlike Five Six, Seven, Nate and Better Nate Than Ever, this one is definitely meant for young adults. I was ok with that, though, and I'll find someone who can include it in their collection because of number two. Number two is that it would likely have the fast paced, spirited, zippy train of thought filled writing that I loved from Tim Federle's earlier books. He did not fail me. After finishing his books I feel as though I've been chasing around one of those little guys on the Family Circle cartoon, who are given a task to do, possibly next door, but take the most circuitous route possible to get there.

The Great American Whatever is the story of Quinn Roberts, a sixteen year old who, along with his mom, has literally dropped out of life since six months ago when his older sister, Annabeth died in a car accident. Fortunately, he has a best friend, Geoff, who isn't going to let him be sucked into the vortex of self pity any longer, insisting that he return to life and reality. At first, it's just by taking him out to buy an air conditioner, but then having him accompany him to his sister's college party. And that's when things change for Quinn. He meets someone...someone who thinks he has a cute butt. And so the return to life begins.

The fun part of this book, is that Quinn has always wanted to be a screen writer, and has a talent for it. So, as we wait for the next big event to happen, we first see it as he envisions it will happen, written in the form of a screenplay, and you're never sure if that's the way it will go or not. Unfortunately, Quinn has given up on that dream because of the death of his sister, just as he's given up on things like cell phones and texting, but as I said, he's got this incredible best friend.

Now, one more thing I'm sure of. I am sure that there will be people that will be offended by this book. It's likely to be added to that list of "banned books" in some towns where "concerned" (read narrow-minded) people feel they must control everything that their children's eyes see. I wish that weren't the case, but it likely will be. Just this week another book that I've heard wonderful things about, was met with resistance, and the author visit cancelled because the town wasn't prepared to deal with the issues of drug abuse that were brought up in the book. Just ask Kate Messner about that one. I admit, I may have been that narrow-minded at one point in my life, but things change. I've read some incredible books in the last ten to twenty years that have left me wishing I had found that book years ago when I was a teen going through that same thing. And that's the way I feel about these books. Kids out there are going through things that they aren't always comfortable talking about, and sometimes reading about another kid (even if it is a fictitious character) in similar circumstances can help him/her go through and not give up. Tim Federle uses homosexual characters in his stories that are often experiencing their first loves, and just coming out, and in this story Quinn wonders if he will lose his virginity (you'll have to read to find out if it happens). So, like Judy Blume's book, Forever, which was one of the first I ever read where sex between two teens was ever written about expressly for young adults, and has been listed on many "banned book" lists, Tim's book will probably meet the same fate. But take heart, Tim. Judy Blume's book has gone on to be a classic, and maybe The Great American Whatever will, too. ...more

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May 24, 2016 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbtq, realistic-fiction, humor, young-adult, ownvoices

Quinn's progression as he works through his grief over the death of his sister feels authentic and since this is a Federle book, of course it's full of wit too. Anyone who enjoys movies, particularly the classics, will appreciate the trivia that gets thrown in by Quinn, the aspiring screenwriter. He also deals with issues of coming out and his first boyfriend.
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Aug 25, 2017 Abigail rated it liked it

Honestly, surprised by how good this was. Sure some of the dialogue is corny and dumb but in a lot of ways it took the non-cliche route and I super appreciated that. Didn't majorly connect with any of the characters but that is okay! ...more

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May 23, 2016 Amy rated it it was amazing

I held it together until the pillowcase fell off the urn. Wowza, what a great read.

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Apr 30, 2016 Reving rated it it was amazing

http://revingsblog.blogspot.com/2016/... ...more

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Dec 02, 2016 Courtney rated it really liked it

Great writing. Great plot. Great characters.

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May 20, 2016 Cynthia Shutts rated it really liked it

4.5

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Jul 12, 2017 Jessica rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-all-recs, ya-recs-males, ya-ya, ya-recs-realistic-fiction, ya-recs-romance, ya-recs-contemporary, ya-recs-death, ya-recs-lgbtq, ya-zstandalone, a-read-in-2017

3.5 stars. Sometimes the language was very poignant and pretty but other times it was stilted and unconvincing. I liked it and think it will resonate with young readers.

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