King of the Screwups by K.L. Going

“King of the Screwups” is the latest novel from K.L. Going, multiple award-winning young adult author. It is the funny story of a teen trying hard not to be himself- and messing up everything along the way.

Liam grew up popular, rich and good looking. But one thing he can’t help is disappointing his smart, business-savvy father. During his senior year of high school, he gets kicked out of the house. What he doesn’t expect is that his mom, former super-model Sarah Geller, has arranged for him to stay with his Aunt Pete, a gay glam rocker DJ.

It doesn’t take Liam long to figure out that he wants to be like Pete. Not the sloppy, cross-dressing, beer drinking Pete, but a man who doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. The problem is that Liam does care what people think of him, and he thinks everyone has got him wrong. While trying hard to be unpopular and not mess up his life any more, Liam becomes more and more unhappy. Luckily, Pete and his aging, gay glam-rock bandmates see what Liam is capable of and encourage him to be himself.

As far as letting teens know that it’s ok to be different, this book hits the nail on the head. While Liam isn’t gay, the presence of so much positivity from the gay characters sends a strong message that LGBT people in your life are valuable and have lessons to share.

You’ll laugh throughout this book and smile at the end. I definitely did.