A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling with intense anger or feels trapped by their family's dynamics or a past reputation. It's for the adolescent who has been labeled the "problem child" and needs to see a path toward understanding the root of their feelings. "Reality Boy" is about Gerald, a teen still infamous for his violent tantrums on a reality TV show from his childhood. He is seething with a rage he can't control, largely due to his toxic, emotionally abusive family. This is a raw, unflinching look at the long-term effects of psychological abuse, finding one's voice, and the healing power of a healthy relationship. Appropriate for older teens, it's a powerful choice for normalizing difficult feelings and opening conversations about what happens when a family's love is damaging.
Contains frequent and strong profanity that is central to the protagonist's voice.
ViolenceModerate
Depicts outbursts of rage, including punching walls and property destruction.
Romantic ContentModerate
Includes kissing and sexual situations, though not graphically described.
Sensitive Topics
This book deals directly and graphically with psychological and emotional abuse from family members. The approach is entirely secular. The abuse is not metaphorical. It is presented as a constant, oppressive force in the protagonist's life. The resolution is realistic and deeply hopeful. Gerald does not magically get a new family, but he finds his own voice and a path toward healing and independence.
Ideal Reader
An older teen (15-18) who feels consumed by anger they don't understand, particularly if it stems from a difficult or emotionally invalidating home life. This is for the reader who feels misunderstood, labeled, or defined by their worst moments. It will also resonate with teens interested in complex character studies and the long term effects of childhood trauma.
Parent Prep
Parents should preview this book. The depiction of emotional abuse, particularly gaslighting by the mother and sister, is intense and disturbing. There is frequent strong language and some sexual references. A parent should be prepared to discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy family dynamics and the nature of emotional abuse, which is often invisible to outsiders. A parent is concerned about their teen's explosive anger or deep-seated frustration. They might have heard their child say, "You just don't get it," or "Everyone thinks I'm the problem." The teen seems isolated by their own intense emotions and unable to connect with others.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely focus on the high stakes emotion, the anger, and the central romance as a lifeline. An older teen (16-18) will better grasp the psychological nuances of Gerald's trauma, the cycle of abuse, and the difficult, brave steps he takes to reclaim his own narrative from his family and the public.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA books that deal with trauma from external sources, "Reality Boy" places the source of the trauma squarely inside the home with the parents. Its unflinching, first person portrayal of male rage born from emotional abuse is incredibly powerful and unique. The book validates a teen's anger rather than simply condemning it, exploring it as a symptom of immense pain.
Read plot summary
Gerald Faust was the five year old star of a reality TV show, famous for his destructive temper tantrums that earned him the nickname "The Crapper." Now seventeen, he is still consumed by that rage, a direct result of his emotionally abusive mother and manipulative older sister. He works a dead end job, struggles in school, and feels utterly trapped by his family and his public persona. His life begins to change when he connects with Hannah, a girl in his class who is also a pariah. Through their budding relationship, Gerald slowly begins to confront the truth of his past and find the strength to speak up for himself.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Gerald's family, especially his mom and sister Lisi, consistently deny his version of reality. How does this 'gaslighting' affect him and his anger? Why is it so powerful?
2
Hannah helps Gerald by listening to him and believing him. In what specific ways does her trust help him change? Do you think he could have found his voice without her?
3
At the end of the book, Gerald's family situation isn't 'fixed,' but he has changed. What does a 'happy ending' look like for Gerald? Is it realistic?
4
The reality TV show defined Gerald's entire childhood. How does his past fame continue to impact his life as a teenager, both with strangers and his own family?
5
Gerald often turns his anger inward or on inanimate objects. Do you see his anger as a strength, a weakness, or something else? How does his relationship with his anger change by the end?
