King - Reality Boy

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright 2013 by A.S. King

Author Interview copyright 2014 by A.S. King

Discussion Guide copyright 2014 by Little, Brown and Company

Excerpt from Glory OBriens History of the Future copyright 2014 by A.S. King

Cover design by Liz Casal

Image of young man Henrik Sorensen/Getty Images

Cover 2013 Hachette Book Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.

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The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

First ebook edition: October 2013

ISBN 978-0-316-22269-3

E3

For more about this book and author, visit Bookish.com.

PUT DOWN THE REMOTE AND PICK UP REALITY BOYITS A SHOWSTOPPER.

THE HORN BOOK

• A New York Times Editors Choice
• An Amazon Best Book of the Month
• A 2013 Publishers Weekly Best YA Book
• A 2013 School Library Journal Best Book
• A 2013 Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book
• A 2013 VOYA Perfect Ten Book
• A 2013 Association of Booksellers for Children Best Book
• A 2014 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book
• A 2014 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Book
• A Winter 20132014 Top Ten Kids Indie Next List Pick
• A 2014 Texas TAYSHAS Reading List Top Ten Book

A.S. King is one of the best Y.A. writers working today. She captures the disorientation of adolescence brilliantly.

JOHN GREEN , The New York Times Book Review

Heart-pounding and heartbreaking a compulsively readable portrait of two imperfect teens learning to trust each other and themselves.

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A nuanced portrayal This is a story about healing.

Publishers Weekly, starred review

Kings trademarksattuned first-person narrative, convincing dialogue, realistic language, and fitting quirkinessconnect effectively in this disturbing, yet hopeful novel.

SLJ, starred review

Kings writing is tighter, more focused, and better than ever. [An] intense and incredibly fresh plot.

VOYA, starred review

King offers a compelling look at possible long-term effects of reality shows. Thought-provoking and ultimately optimistic.

Library Media Connection, starred review

The hallmarks of [Kings] strong work are there: magical realism, heightened emotion, and the steady, torturous, beautiful transition into self-assured inner peace. Like Gerald, its wonderfully broken.

Booklist

[A] smart and sympathetic story about breaking free from the worlds expectations.

The Bulletin

Timely, incisive, compassionate. A.S. King is always on the cutting edge of YA. All her novels are must-reads.

MATTHEW QUICK , New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook and Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

A.S. King is one of the most powerful, resounding voices in contemporary young adult literature. Reality Boy is fearless and brilliant, a seething pressure cooker of a masterpiece that will make you angry [and] heartbroken, and will lift you up and make you feel real.

ANDREW SMITH , author of Winger and The Marbury Lens

A.S. King at her best, and maybe then some. If you dont fall in love with the Crapper, you shouldnt be allowed to read. This book is tough and funny and smart as hell. It was a total pleasure to read.

CHRIS CRUTCHER , author of Period 8 and Whale Talk

A.S. Kings best work to date. Gobbled up for the sake of entertainment and spit out by the world, Gerald is the kind of character you keep pulling for long after the story is finished. Touching and teeth-clenchingly emotional, this story is an important reminder that behind every reality show may be a totally different reality.

JENNIFER BROWN , author of Hate List and Thousand Words

A powerhouse of insight and empathy toward the people who cruise the fringes of acceptable behavior. A.S. King takes all kinds of risks and every single one pays off. Highly recommended.

JONATHAN MABERRY , New York Times bestselling author of Rot & Ruin and Fire & Ash

King never fails to surprise. We all know at least one teen who needs a book like this; I didnt know I needed it until I turned the last page.

DODIE OWENS , editor, SLJTeen

[Kings] ability to show all sides of the story, while never detracting from the main characters and their intense frustration with the adults and circumstances of their lives, is a marvel. Reality Boyshowcases Kings talent. Its also about first love, celebrity, therapy, and finding your own narrative despite the story your familyand sometimes the worldtells about you.

JENN NORTHINGTON , Shelf Awareness

Im not sure if there is a subject that A.S. King cannot handle with perfect dexterity. She wins your trust by creating characters that are real and then paves the storys way with glass shards, heartbreak, and ultimately, gold. Reality Boy is a fascinating emotional dissection of life under the watchful eye of the American public and the subsequent fallout for one angry young man.