Awards
2004 Michael L. Printz Honor Book
Synopses & Reviews
A beautifully voiced debut captures an intimate story of change and acceptance.
Twelve-year-old Davis lives in an old brownstone with his mother and grandmother in Brooklyn. He loves people-watching in Prospect Park, visiting his mom in the bakery she owns, and listening to the biggest operas he can find as he walks everywhere.
But Davis is having a difficult summer. As questions of sexuality begin to enter his mind, he worries people dont see him as anything other than husky.” To make matters worse, his best girlfriends are starting to hang out with mean girls and popular boys. Davis is equally concerned about the distance forming between him and his single mother as she begins dating again, and about his changing relationship with his amusingly loud Irish grandmother, Nanny.
Ultimately, Davis learns to see himself outside of his one defining adjective. Hes a kid with unique interests, admirable qualities, and people who will love him no matter what changes life brings about.
Review
"Going creates a completely credible picture of the New York punk-rock scene and makes us believe in Troy's bumpy journey toward becoming both a rock-band drummer and a true friend; in the process she identifies herself as one of the most promising new voices in YA fiction." Children's Literature
Review
"Anyone who works with teenagers will recognize Curt and Troy immediately and come away from this book with a new understanding of what each person does in the name of self-protection." VOYA
Review
"[An] impressive debut that offers hope for all kids." Booklist
Synopsis
Troy Billings is seventeen, 296 pounds, friendless, utterly miserable, and about to step off a New York subway platform in front of an oncoming train. Until he meets Curt MacCrae, an emaciated, semi-homeless, high school dropout guitar genius, the stuff of which Lower East Side punk rock legends are made. Never mind that Troy's dad thinks Curt's a drug addict and Troy's brother thinks Troy's the biggest (literally) loser in Manhattan. Soon, Curt's recruited Troy as his new drummer even though Troy can't play the drums. Together, Curt and Troy will change the world of punk, and Troy's own life, forever.
Synopsis
When the going gets tough, Dog . . . takes a nap
Dog can Sit.
He can Stay.
He can even Dance.
But when he's in charge, can he keep the cats in line?
All one, two, three, four, five of them?
With slapstick silliness and utterly earnest charm, Dog will quickly wiggle his way into preschoolers' hearts.
Synopsis
Troy Billings is seventeen, 296 pounds, friendless, utterly miserable, and about to step off a New York subway platform in front of an oncoming train. Until he meets Curt MacCrae, an emaciated, semi-homeless, high school dropout guitar genius, the stuff of which Lower East Side punk rock legends are made. Never mind that Troys dad thinks Curts a drug addict and Troys brother thinks Troys the biggest (literally) loser in Manhattan. Soon, Curts recruited Troy as his new drummereven though Troy cant play the drums. Together, Curt and Troy will change the world of punk, and Troys own life, forever.
Synopsis
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book
Troy Billings is seventeen, 296 pounds, friendless, utterly miserable, and about to step off a New York subway platform in front of an oncoming train. Until he meets Curt MacCrae, an emaciated, semi-homeless, high school dropout guitar genius, the stuff of which Lower East Side punk rock legends are made. Never mind that Troys dad thinks Curts a drug addict and Troys brother thinks Troys the biggest (literally) loser in Manhattan. Soon, Curts recruited Troy as his new drummereven though Troy cant play the drums. Together, Curt and Troy will change the world of punk, and Troys own life, forever.
"Troy's voice is candid, irreverent, realistic and humorous. [A] wonderful, engrossing tale."SLJ
An ALA BBYA
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
A Booklist Editors' Choice
An SLJ Best Book of the Year
A Miami Herald Best Book of the Year
About the Author
Going has worked as an adult literacy tutor since graduating college. She has also been a ticket agent for an airline, a front desk clerk at a resort hotel, and a bookstore salesperson. Currently, she assists two agents in a Manhattan literary agency.