King Dork

by Frank Portman

Book Overview

In this coming-of-age, rock-and-roll, Da Vinci Code-style tale, high school loser Tom Henderson discovers his deceased father's copy of The Catcher in the Rye and finds himself in the middle of several interlocking conspiracies and at least half a dozen mysteries. Random House Children's

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385732910
• ISBN13: 9780385732918
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

life is so unfair

If this author was Harvard bound, younger and more photogenic, perhaps he'd have a shot at the half million advance awarded to Kaavya "The Internalizer" Viswanathan whose plagiarism scandal recently rocked the literary world. He'd certainly deserve it, as there is no evidence that he himself didn't compose "King Dork" which is one of the best novels about the high school experience that I've read in a long time. This book is a far more accurate, painful and hilarious look at the world of adolescence. If you identify with books in which which Nerd Girl gets a brand name makeover, sleeps with Campus Stud, winds up with Brooding Artist, makes a speech about values and gets into the Ivy League, then you probably won't enjoy "King Dork." If on the other hand, you are still mourning the cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks," then you probably will. "King Dork" had me laughing and nodding my head in recognition from the first page to the last, whereas with the makeover type books I just snicker and wonder what universe the authors are living in to create a high school world that's 100 percent fantasy and fluff. What a shame that a book like "King Dork" that actually tells it like it isn't given half the (pre scandal) press of a book like "How Opal Mehta." For such a threadbare concept - young alienated man comes of age with the help of books, music and the opposite sex, it's still fresh and original.

Smart, Touching, Funny, Cool

When I finished reading King Dork, I felt sorry for Frank Portman. I felt sorry for him because it was an almost perfect book, and I wondered what happens to people who write books that great. Is it crushing if people don't like their work? Is the pressure to continue to write at that level a burden? Well, judging from people's reactions and the early reviews, Portman may not have to worry about the first concern. And it would be a real surprise if somebody with this much talent ever slipped. I don't want to summarize the plot for anyone except to say that I repeatedly laughed out loud. And it was one of those books where you find yourself slowing down as you read, because you can't bear the idea that it is actually finite; that it will actually come to an end. I love Tom Henderson. I love Sam and Amanda, and Mom and LBT. I love the glossary and the band names, especially Underpants Machine. I strongly recommend this book if Steve Winwood makes you gag and Ricky Gervais is your hero. This book is for you if you wear berets, or capes, or hoodies, or clothes from old navy. This book is for you if you ever feel superior to everyone around you and remain terrified of them at all times. It's tender, it's rad, it's the best book I've read since 'Yes I Can.'

Queen Dorks dig this book too ya know!

I was a "Queen Dork" in High School. I couldn't put King Dork down - there is dark humor that transcends any age difference the reader may have with the books' characters. Forunately for me I attended the Book Release party and got mine signed! :)Check out the author he is a cool guy. https://www.frankportman.com has the scoop about the guy behind this awesome book! Cheers,P