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King Dork 01

by Frank Portman
King Dork 01

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ISBN13: 9780385732918
ISBN10: 0385732910
Condition: Standard
DustJacket: Standard

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

Tom Henderson (a.k.a. King Dork, Chi-mo, Hender-fag, and Sheepie) is a typical American high school loser until he discovers the book, The Catcher in the Rye, that will change the world as he knows it. When Tom discovers his deceased father's copy of the Salinger classic, he finds himself in the middle of several interlocking conspiracies and at least half a dozen mysteries involving dead people, naked people, fake people, ESP, blood, a secret code, guitars, monks, witchcraft, the Bible, girls, the Crusades, a devil head, and rock and roll. And it all looks like it's just the tip of a very odd iceberg of clues that may very well unravel the puzzle of his father's death and — oddly — reveal the secret to attracting semihot girls.

Being in a band could possibly be the secret to the girl thing — but good luck finding a drummer who can count to four.

Review

"It's easy to lampoon high school, but to set in motion an intricate and engrossing plot...is a feat, and it's one Portman engineers with the gleeful flourish of a born storyteller.....[A] terrific novel... (Grade: A)" Entertainment Weekly

Review

"A biting and witty high-school satire [that] explores cross-generation mysteries and music....[A] story richly flavored with 1960s cult novels and 1970s rock-and-roll." Kirkus Reviews

Review

"Original, heartfelt, and sparkling with wit and intelligence....The plot unfolds at a leisurely pace...but Tom is so engaging that most readers won't mind....This dazzling novel will linger long in readers' memories." School Library Journal

Review

"King Dork is the best novel I've ever read about high school....I love this book as much as I hated high school, and that's some of the highest praise I can possibly give." Michael Schaub, BookSlut

Review

"This book is for you if you're in a band or wish you were, if you loved or hated Catcher in the Rye, if you like girls or are one, if you've ever spoken Francais or Franglais, or if your high school has or had a dumb mascot. 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 Looking for Alaska

Review

"Mr. Portman juggles the romantic sub-plot with enormous skill, and his dry sense of humor is a delight...That kind of wit is definitely too good to be wasted on adults of tender years..." Clive Davis, Washington Times

Review

"There is a lot to love about this book: King Dork is smart, funny, occasionally raunchy and refreshingly clear about what it's like to be a geeky guy in high school...Young-adult writing is difficult, but, on his first try, Portman nails it." San Francisco Chronicle

Review

"The magic of King Dork lies in its cutting satire and narrative voice. It smartly skewers just about every aspect of the educational system. For readers who have suffered through a pep rally, detention or English class, Portman's arrival is cause for regal glee..." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Review

"King Dork...will appeal only to...teens with an interest in...oral sex..." VOYA

Review

"King Dork is well and away the best YA book I've read this year and Frank Portman is definitely someone to watch out for. It's inventive and sexy, it's fun to read and provides endless food for thought — everything I want from a book." Melvin Burgess, author of Doing It and Smack

About the Author

Frank Portman (a.k.a. Dr. Frank) is the singer/songwriter and 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.

4.5 4

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating 4.5 (4 comments)

`
lukas , February 12, 2015 (view all comments by lukas)
I'm not a young adult, but some of my best friends used to be. The debut novel from Frank Portman, who also plays in the long running pop-punk band the Mr. T Experience (sample song: "Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend"), is pretty smart and pretty funny. Here's what it's not: it's not as sad as "The Fault in Our Stars," it's not as sweet as "Perks of Being a Wallflower," it's not as terrible as "Please Don't Kill the Freshman," it's not as grim as "Speak." Portman keenly remembers the awkwardness and humiliations of the teen years and conveys it in a way that both adults and teens will appreciate. He also has a knack for coming up with band names, as his protagonist and friend are constantly changing names and sounds (Green Sabbath, Stoned Marmadukes, Balls Deep). If there's a fault, it's that in the final third, the plot gets in the way of the story and there's too much going on, which makes for a jumbled conclusion. Oh, the hero also hates the "cult" of "Catcher in the Rye," which he repeatedly mocks. I like "Catcher," but I totally see his point. Followed by a sequel. Also check out "Youth in Revolt."

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`
Joshua De MICHIGAN , February 16, 2010
so our teacher had this book in her selection, of a novel reading elective class. im the only boy in it, and read king dork. im not the most popular sophmore, and damn...this books a flippen fantasy. it made me chuckle so much at all the little tidbits. Toms so blunt, and identifiable its unbelievable! never saw the ending come, lots of twists in the murder mystery central plot.. but they happen slow, while your entertained by the main characters escapades with slutty drama hippie chicks, a band that sucks, a teen porn conspiracy, and a blowjob giving catholic schoolgirl. yeah...i know right? sounds like the greatest story eveer told!!!!!!

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`
stephanie , January 10, 2007 (view all comments by stephanie)
Hilarious. It's been a long time since I read a book where the character had such a strong voice. Portman has a very natural way of relating the high-school experience, and even those of us who weren't as bad off as Tom can relate and recognize our teenage selves in him. For the part that made me laugh most, see the Glossary in the back of the book, and look up Jimmy Buffet. I laughed for a long time over that one.

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Jackie young , October 06, 2006 (view all comments by Jackie young)
....can't stop laughing, who would have believed that a book could bring back memories of high school-both good and bad, highly recommend this one.

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Product Details

ISBN:
9780385732918
Binding:
Hardcover
Publication date:
04/01/2006
Publisher:
BANTAM DOUBLEDAY DELL
Pages:
344
Height:
8.58 in.
Width:
5.86 in.
Thickness:
1.20 in.
Age Range:
14-17 and up
Grade Range:
Young adult
Number of Units:
1
Copyright Year:
2006
UPC Code:
2800385732910
Author:
Frank Portman
Subject:
High schools
Subject:
Identity (psychology)
Subject:
Mystery and detective stories
Subject:
Identity
Subject:
Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General

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