Interview with Geoff Herbach (with an excerpt and a giveaway)

Geoff Herbach is the author of GABE JOHNSON TAKES OVER (formerly FAT BOY VS. THE CHEERLEADERS) and the Felton Reinstein series, which starts with STUPID FAST.  His books have won a Cybils Award and the Minnesota Book Award.  He currently teaches creative writing in addition to working on more books.

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1. GABE JOHNSON TAKES OVER is your first book starring a narrator other than Felton Reinstein. Was it difficult to leave Felton's voice behind?

It was hard in one way – Felton feels like my kid. I really love him! So, I actually experience sadness, like missing him, when I write sometimes. Gabe’s voice felt pretty natural, though. I didn’t find him rolling into Felton territory, because Gabe just naturally has a more organized mind. I do think Gabe would find Felton hilarious and vice versa, though.  

2. GABE JOHNSON TAKES OVER was published in hardcover with the title FAT BOY VS. THE CHEERLEADERS. How does the new title represent the book better?

That’s a good question, for sure. Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders shows up as a newspaper headline near the end of the book. Gabe is both offended by it (because it’s mean and it doesn’t really represent what happened) and okay with it, because he thinks maybe the headline will get lots of people to read the story. In the end, I have to agree with his first response. The book is about him claiming his natural power, sort of re-claiming it after he’s been robbed of his dignity. I think Gabe would approve of new title. Because he does, in fact, take over. And, he wouldn’t want anything to do with dumb name-calling (he has to learn that in the book).  

 

3. Was your high school experience more like Felton's or Gabe's?

I played football and ran track and wasn’t in the band, but I also was in choir and played cello in the orchestra… I think my natural nervous energy matches better to Felton’s, but I was actually more woven into the regular life of the school than Felton, so more like Gabe… I guess a combo! Both those guys make up weird swear words. I was definitely that guy!  

4. You also teach creative writing and speak at schools. Have any students affected the way you approach your writing?

A kid in Lancaster, Wisconsin just told me about this Teen Court he’s a part of. It’s through the county and they actually work with juvenile offenders… I’m really excited about that. I’ve had other kids tell me about their driving habits and their soda machine habits and their Walmart walking habits and all of that stuff has gotten into books, so definitely. There’s nothing in the world as fun as doing creative writing exercises with teens at high schools and middle schools. Great stuff comes out all the time (and, yeah, I sometimes use it – I do ask for permission!).  

5. Any upcoming projects you can talk about?

First, I’ve got this book about a kid named Taco coming. I’m in revisions on it now, and this kid is so relentlessly sunny in the face of relentless trouble…I just love him. He’s super buoyant. He’s totally deluded, but figuring it out. Can’t wait until Taco meets the world!

I’m also co-writing a book (actually three – Strange Times, they’re called) with former Blink 182 front man, Tom DeLonge. The books are going to be pretty great. They’re skater-y and funny and terrifying. Tom is a really, really energetic human and that’s flowing through what we’re doing. So, good stuff coming!

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Gabe Johnson Takes Over Excerpt:

That stupid pop machine. Stupid pop. It all started with that stupid—

Yeah, I hate that machine. For so many reasons.

First things first! That machine made me a junky! A pop junky! I’m not the only one in school either.

Back in May, me, Justin Cornell, and Camille Gardener did this pop study for health class. It was Camille’s idea because she turned into a health nut when her dad started organic farming last year. (Her dad grew like two tomatoes and one giant zucchini. Mr. Gardener’s not the greatest farmer in the world.) Anyway, out of Camille’s concern for health, she got us to study usage of the pop machine, her theory being that unhealthy kids would be the heaviest users.

Big, bad study, sir.

Review: Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders

By Geoff Herbach
Available now from Sourcebooks Fire
Review copy
Read my reviews of Nothing Special and I'm With Stupid

Although FAT BOY VS. THE CHEERLEADERS is Geoff Herbach's fourth novel, it is his first that isn't about Felton Reinstein.  There are similarities: new narrator Gabe is also a teen boy from a single parent household who finds himself developing new relationships and a new devotion to his interests. There's a similar stream-of-consciousness style.  But while FAT BOY VS. THE CHEERLEADERS doesn't find Herbach stepping completely outside of its wheelhouse, it isn't a retread of Herbach's debut trilogy.

Gabe drinks lots of sodas from the machine in the cafeteria - they're cheap, delicious, and the money supports the band.  Gabe is a band member, and it's probably his favorite thing about school.  He and his friends notice a link between the biggest kids in school, the poorest kids in school, and the kids who drink the most soda in school, but they money goes to support the band, so it all works out.  At the end of the school year, there's a sudden soda price hike, the announcement of a new dance team, and band camp is cancelled.  Gabe can put two and two together.

I was in band in high school, along with probably a fourth to a third of the school.  It kind of amazes me that there aren't more band geek stories in YA.  Herbach, through Gabe, really expresses what's great about band.  That element added a special bit of appeal to me.  I think the title and cover are punchy, but wish there had been a way for the band element to be apparent without reading the blurb.

FAT BOY VS. THE CHEERLEADERS is framed as Gabe's confession to the police for stealing $14 from the infamous soda machine.  Thus, from the start readers know things are set to go awry.  Gabe's rambling confession is not all that plausible, but it is entertaining.  I loved seeing him grow into himself throughout the story and make changes to be a better person.  I also liked seeing him receive a kick to the ass whenever he needed one.  Gabe may have a good cause, but he's not always in the right.

I know that when it comes to fat characters, people always wonder whether they lose weight and whether weight loss is equated with goodness.  Yes, Gabe loses (some) weight.  (The story covers a fairly short period of time; I got the impression Gabe was still fat at the end of the story, just slightly less fat.)  It worked for me because Gabe's weight came from a combination of unhealthy places: eating crappy food (because his dad never provided anything else), never being physical (except for grudgingly making it through marching band for the glory of concert band), and emotional eating.

FAT BOY VS. THE CHEERLEADERS is a short, snappy read with lots of positive, sly messages.  It allows the issues it tackles to be complex, even when they're mined for outsized comedy set pieces.  (For instance, despite the title, the book explores why it is wrong to demonize the cheerleaders for profiting from something that adults did.)  Herbach continues to be one of my favorite contemporary authors. 

If you feel inspired by Gabe and want to help provide funding to musical education, consider a donation to VH1's Save the Music Foundation.

Review: I'm With Stupid

Book three of the Felton Reinstein series
By Geoff Herbach
Available now from Sourcebooks Fire
Review copy
Read my review of NOTHING SPECIAL

I love when a series ends this well.  Felton Reinstein has come far from the dorky, bullied kid he once was.  But at the same time, he's still awkward and anxious with a legacy of depression and addiction.  Just now he has fame because he's one of the best high school football players in the country and he's choosing which college he'll play ball for.

I love how detailed the setting of I'M WITH STUPID is.  Over the three books, Felton has come into contact with a wide range of people in his hometown of Bluffton, Wisconsin.  Many of those people's stories come into play in this final book.  For instance, Felton's friend Abby becomes important as she starts to fall apart following her parents' divorce.  Her issues and Felton's dovetail in a very destructive way.

Felton is at heart a decent, nice person, but he gets angry and doesn't always think things through.  He's the kind of character you want the best for, but he's prone to making mistakes and his support network is pretty distant.  I worried for Felton as he started turning to alcohol to handle his emotional issues.  I had to keep taking small breaks because it seemed as if he was going to ruin his life just when he had so many chances.

It's the rare book that can make me sympathize with the main character so much and feel so deeply.  As far as I know, Geoff Herbach is not going to write Felton's college adventures.  I'm very satisfied by this sendoff, but I'll miss the character, his friends, and his unique voice.  I'M WITH STUPID confirms that this is one of the best YA series out there.  I highly recommend all three books.  Any of them can standalone, but why miss one when they're all this good?

Review: Nothing Special

By Geoff Herbach
Available now from Sourcebooks Fire
Review copy

Geoff Herbach follows his excellent debut STUPID FAST with another tale about Felton Reinstein and his family.  Felton went to being unnoticed (except by bullies) to being a track and football hero.  His younger brother, Andrew, remains uncelebrated.  Then Andrew runs away to Florida and Felton follows.

NOTHING SPECIAL is told as a long, journal-like letter to Felton's girlfriend Aleah, who isn't talking to him.  He's recounting his current journey to Florida as well as the one he took earlier in the year.  Felton, charmingly, doesn't censor his weaknesses and low points.  He ain't perfect, but he's honest about being selfish and thoughtless sometimes.  What's really sweet is he seems to think he's the only person in his life who can be accused of narcissism.  Felton's voice, as in STUPID FAST, is direct, funny, and the perfect blend of self-aware and completely clueless.

Fans of the first book will be happy to spend more time in Felton's head, but NOTHING SPECIAL is welcoming to new readers.  There might be some questions about Felton's father or other minor bits of continuity, but there is no complex mythology to follow.  It's a book about siblings - and other relations - and most everyone can relate to that with or without the backstory.

I honestly don't have much more to say than that.  Herbach is a great new talent and I can't wait to read his next book whether it involves Felton or not.  (But I definitely won't say no to reading about Felton's adventures in college.)  NOTHING SPECIAL will appeal to contemporary lovers, particularly those looking for a book that isn't about romance.

STUPID FAST Cover

Sourcebooks has been asking readers about their covers on their Teen Fire ning. Sounds reasonable to me, considering how much readers complain about covers.

Currently, they're asking for input on the cover of STUPID FAST by Geoff Herbach.

Either #1 or 2 would catch my eye.  #3 both has too much going on and a lame color scheme.  As for representing the content, the blurb is available if you follow the link.  It pushes me towards picking #2.

How about ya'll?