Synopses & Reviews
As John Green,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Fault in Our Stars said, “
King Dork will rock your world.” The cult favorite from Frank Portman, aka Dr. Frank of the Mr. T. Experience, is a book like no other. Music plays a huge part in the book, which features hilarious original lyrics throughout.
When Tom Henderson finds his deceased father’s copy of J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, his world is turned upside down. Suddenly high school gets more complicated: Tom (aka King Dork) is in the middle of at least half a dozen mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, a secret code, girls, and rock and roll. As he goes through sophomore year, he finds clues that may very well solve the puzzle of his father’s death and—oddly—reveal the secret to attracting semi-hot girls (the secret might be being in a band, if he can find a drummer who can count to four.
A brilliant story told in first person, King Dork includes a glossary and a bandography, which readers will find helpful and hilarious.
Review
"Lowry's wry debut combines a caper story with foodie culture in an entertaining mix...a zestful first novel." —Publishers Weekly "Lowrys fast-paced tale is reminiscent of Kurt Russells Big Trouble in Little China, or an off-center Philip Marlowe from a Raymond Chandler story. That is, its a chaotic, intriguing, and fun read that delivers quite a punch." —Booklist "Lowrys engaging first novel is as accomplished as its young hero—smart, skillful, self-possessed. And who wouldnt love a hipster martial arts devotee who cooks authentic Asian cuisine? Warning: do not read this book without a good Chinese restaurant on speed-dial!" --Hilary Fields, author of Bliss "The clever and unique mix of martial arts, Chandler-worthy banter, mouth-watering feasts, and an extremely likable protagonist made me want join chef Tucker and his coterie for Chinese food and late-night sleuthing. Absolutely delicious." --Sarah Skilton, author of Bruised "Chinese Cooking for Diamond Thieves is a road-tripping love story spiced with snappy repartee and a dash of running-for-your-life, told by a memorable narrator who never picks up strangers at a highway rest stop -- unless they speak Mandarin. An enjoyable, witty, comic adventure that will also make you very, very hungry." --Kristina Riggle, award-winning author of The Whole Golden World
Synopsis
"King Dork will rock your world." --John Green, New York Times bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars When Tom Henderson finds his dead father's copy of J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, his world is turned upside down. Suddenly high school gets more complicated: Tom (aka King Dork) finds himself in the middle of mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, a secret code, girls, and rock and roll. As he goes through sophomore year, he finds clues that may very well solve the puzzle of his father's death and--oddly--reveal the secret to attracting semi-hot girls. (The secret might be being in a band, if he can find a drummer who can count to four.)
This unruly cult classic features song lyrics throughout and now includes a glossary and a bandography. And look for the sequel, King Dork Approximtely, available now.
Praise for King Dork:
"Basically, if you are a human being with even a vague grasp of the English language, King Dork will rock your world."--John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars
" No account of high school] has made me laugh more than King Dork. . . . Grade A."--Entertainment Weekly
"Impossibly brilliant."--Time
"Provides a window into what it would be like if Holden Caulfield read The Catcher in the Rye."--New York Post
"Loaded with sharp and offbeat humor."--USA Today
"Original, heartfelt, and sparkling with wit and intelligence. This novel will linger long in readers' memories."--School Library Journal, Starred Review
"A biting and witty high-school satire."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"Tom's narration is piercingly satirical and acidly witty."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review
"King Dork is smart, funny, occasionally raunchy and refreshingly clear about what it's like to be in high school."--San Francisco Chronicle
"King Dork Best Punk Rock Book Ever."--The Village Voice
"I love this book as much as I hated high school, and that's some of the highest praise I can possibly give."--Bookslut.com
Synopsis
"Includes a sneak peak at Frank Portman's new novel, Andromeda Klein"--Cover.
Synopsis
When Tom Henderson finds his deceased father’s copy of J.D. Salinger’s
Catcher in the Rye, his world is flipped upside down. Suddenly high school just got more complicated as Tom (a.k.a. King Dork) is in the middle of at least half a dozen mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, a secret code, girls, and rock and roll. As he goes through sophomore year, he finds more clues in unexpected places that may very well unravel the puzzle of his father’s death and-oddly-reveal the secret to attracting semi-hot girls. And being in a band could just be the secret to the girl thing, if he can find a drummer who can count to four.
From a first person point of view, Frank Portman brilliantly crafts a storyline that brings together multiple plot lines with elevated language and an accompanying glossary, which readers will find helpful and hilarious.
Synopsis
A rollicking debut novel about a young man who gets kicked out of college, becomes a Chinese restaurant chef, and inadvertently gets in the middle of a Chinese gang's search for their stolen diamonds.
Synopsis
Driving home after being kicked out of college, Tucker meets and picks up the mysterious Corinne Chang at a rest stop. Infatuated, and with nothing better to do, he ends up with her in St. Louis, where he gets a job as a chef in a Chinese restaurant. Even though hes a
gwai lo—a foreign devil—his cooking skills impress the Chinese patrons of the restaurant, and his wooing skills impress Corinne when she joins him there as a waitress. But when Chinese gangsters show up demanding diamonds they believe Tuckers kind-of, sort-of, dont-call-her-a-girlfriend stole, he and his friends—which luckily include a couple of FBI agents—have to figure out just who is gunning for Corinne and how to stop them. Good thing Tucker is a Mandarin-speaking martial arts master who isnt afraid to throw the first punch.
With its one-of-a-kind hero, Chinese Cooking for Diamond Thieves is perfect for anyone who loves cooking, Chinese culture, bad jokes, and young love. Diamonds are forever . . . unless Chinese mobsters decide they want them back.
About the Author
Frank Portman(AKA Dr. Frank) is the singer/songwriter, guitarist of the popular San Francisco based punk band The Mr. T. Experience (MTX).Formed in the mid 1980's, MTX has recorded over twenty albums and has an incredibly large fanbase. The author lives in Oakland, California.
From the Hardcover edition.