5.5/10, this is the first book I've read from this author and wow did it disappoint so where do I begin with this; there's so many things wrong with this book. The writing style irritated me from the very beginning of the book since it was told in an interview style but it didn't work out since I only hear one half of it and it makes no sense. The story begins with Gabe discovering that the funds of the vending machine were going to the cheerleaders rather than the band that Gabe is in and he uses the machine very day to drink Code Red which is the equivalent of Coca-Cola and that's partly the reason why he is overweight and he does something about it eventually which I'll get to later. He then rallies a bunch of other kids against the cheerleaders because apparently they use the same machine as Gabe and they are coincidentally just as mad as him for the funding diversion which was an ok aspect of the book and as I read on I saw Gabe getting fit by eating healthily and exercising but it only took like a month. His regime involved lifting weights, running and swimming in the river Spunk but I highly doubt that that lost him so much weight within so little time. I think his family has tensions and the book got a bit raunchy when it didn't need to be and in the end Gabe and his gang won the battle against the cheerleaders by just playing their music louder than them but I think they suffered some consequences and that entire plot point didn't feel believable. If you like realistic books give this one a try though I doubt that people would read this book and now it's nine years old so more better books have been written since then. ( )

Originally titled Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders, Gabe Johnson Takes Over is an okay novel of a group of high school students trying to have a say in their school programs over the adults who have different agendas. Gabe is the fat kid, who's not going to take it anymore. I know, it's a cliche, but this book is kind of filled with them. It's not bad, and the resolution leaves you feeling pretty good, but I think it could have been so much more. Stupid Fast is so much better. ( )

Gabe learns his summer band camp (and the band program) are being replaced by the cheerleaders. Gabe, also known as Chunk, decides to do something about it. Book is a quick read that takes you through Gabe's life at home (divorced father and fitness guru grandpa), friends that are changing, work at the donut shop, and his plan to get band camp and the band program back. Fun with a lot of high school humor. If you like Carter Finally Gets It or Swim The Fly you'll like this book. ( )

Release Date: May 6, 2014
ARC received from Source Books

Gabe is an overweight, class clown who is in the marching band. His mom left him and his dad and now Gabe lives with his dad and his once bodybuilder grandpa. He eats badly and drinks too much soda. His closest friends, employer, and even teachers all call him “Chunk.” While doing a report on soda, Gabe makes the decision to cut back and start changing his lifestyle, but then he finds out the summer marching band program has been cut and all the profits from the soda machines that were going to the band have now been given to the cheerleaders new dance squad. Gabe is on a personal mission as summer begins to get the marching band program back and to lose weight. During his campaign he makes new friends, learns a lot about himself, and becomes a stronger more independent individual.

This is a well-written and refreshingly realistic fiction story from the perspective of a young man truly coming into his own. The story is told in a recollection from Gabe to a police officer, who is interviewing Gabe after an altercation and theft of a soda machine. This is a humorous and quick read that portrays the hardships of friendships and growing-up. Gabe realizes his old friends call him Chunk and his new friends call him Gabe and with that realization he sees he can be just as judgmental calling cheerleader’s bitches and jocks, jocks. Gabe also finds romance with a girl named Chandra that he initially didn’t like because of her goth exterior, but soon he sees the person under the façade. There is a well-developed collection of characters from quarterback R.C. III who isn’t as close with the jocks as he is with the geekers, the big-boobed dance coach, and the weird speedo wearing grandpa who is whipping Gabe into shape and cooking him healthy meals.

If you have ever felt different, had some hard family times, or just wanted to stand up for something you believed in, this story has a little bit of everything. You root for the underdog and realize just how far someone can come when they truly want to make a change. Fun, insightful, and highly recommended. ( )

Release Date: May 6, 2014
ARC received from Source Books

Gabe is an overweight, class clown who is in the marching band. His mom left him and his dad and now Gabe lives with his dad and his once bodybuilder grandpa. He eats badly and drinks too much soda. His closest friends, employer, and even teachers all call him “Chunk.” While doing a report on soda, Gabe makes the decision to cut back and start changing his lifestyle, but then he finds out the summer marching band program has been cut and all the profits from the soda machines that were going to the band have now been given to the cheerleaders new dance squad. Gabe is on a personal mission as summer begins to get the marching band program back and to lose weight. During his campaign he makes new friends, learns a lot about himself, and becomes a stronger more independent individual.

This is a well-written and refreshingly realistic fiction story from the perspective of a young man truly coming into his own. The story is told in a recollection from Gabe to a police officer, who is interviewing Gabe after an altercation and theft of a soda machine. This is a humorous and quick read that portrays the hardships of friendships and growing-up. Gabe realizes his old friends call him Chunk and his new friends call him Gabe and with that realization he sees he can be just as judgmental calling cheerleader’s bitches and jocks, jocks. Gabe also finds romance with a girl named Chandra that he initially didn’t like because of her goth exterior, but soon he sees the person under the façade. There is a well-developed collection of characters from quarterback R.C. III who isn’t as close with the jocks as he is with the geekers, the big-boobed dance coach, and the weird speedo wearing grandpa who is whipping Gabe into shape and cooking him healthy meals.

If you have ever felt different, had some hard family times, or just wanted to stand up for something you believed in, this story has a little bit of everything. You root for the underdog and realize just how far someone can come when they truly want to make a change. Fun, insightful, and highly recommended. ( )