Thursday, December 11, 2014

Timmy's Review of Tales from Foster High by John Goode

First, a little background to explain what John Goode’s books mean to me. A lot of you have read things I have written and things I have said on Facebook, and it is no surprise to you that I come from an abusive home. My life was bad. I was so scared to be me at home that I was a zombie person. I did what I was told, and that was all I did. The last few months before I moved to my new home were the worst. I was in an abusive home, and trying to be me just a little, and I got a boyfriend at school. A different story, and not a good one. That was my mindset when I first read this book. Anyway, my best friend’s mom told me there were a few stories I should read. One was Fairy by Cody Kennedy, and the others were Tales From Foster High and End of Innocence (the first two books in the Foster High series) by John Goode. All three were great reads, but they were also far more than that. They became my lifeline. They were that little strand of hope that told me I needed to hold on just a little longer. I look back now and wonder how I survived it. How is it that I am here now, happy and alive? So when I say these three stories saved my life, I’m not being a dramatic teen. I am stating a fact. I tell you all this because, in the interest of being honest and fair, I am biased when it comes to any of these books.

This story is about the absolute thrills and utter disappointments of teenage love when you’re growing up gay. I love the characters in this book. Kyle is my hero. He had a shit life, and he was still a genius, and funny as all get out! More than that, he was nice and kind. He was what I wanted to be. I didn’t want my past to rule my future. I wanted to be a good person, a loving person. Thank you, Kyle. You gave me the inspiration I needed to survive. More than that, you gave me hope. The very hope I needed to gather the courage I needed to be able to leave my abusive home.

Okay, so, to be fair there was a big-ish continuity error in the plot that I have to bring up. When Kyle and Brad get into an argument about Brad’s girlfriend, Kyle’s excuse is he wouldn’t know about their relationship because you need people to TALK to you in order to hear gossip. But later, when people were talking about him, he said he had long ago learned to eavesdrop. You can’t have it both ways. Either you hear gossip or you do not.

I loved this book. Ignore the continuity error. I hope every person who reads this not only devours the story as I did, but passes it on. All it took was someone passing it to me and look where I am now. I give this book 5 marbles. ~Timmy


Tales from Foster High is available 
in paperback from Amazon,
in audiobook from iTunes, Audible, and Amazon.
and in Nook from Barnes & Noble
To Wish for Impossible Things 
(a lost tale from The Tales from Foster High) 
Dear God 
(a lost chapter from The End of Innocence)

About Tales from Foster High

Kyle Stilleno is the invisible student, toiling through high school in the middle of Nowhere, Texas. Brad Greymark is the baseball star of Foster High. When they bond over their mutual damage during a night of history tutoring, Kyle thinks maybe his life has changed for good. But the promise of fairy-tale love is a lie when you’re gay and falling for the most popular boy in school. A coming of age story in the same vein of John Hughes, Tales from Foster High shows an unflinching vision of the ups and downs of teenage love and what it is like to grow up gay.

Find John Goode on Goodreads, his Goodreads blog
on Facebook, on Twitter @FosterHigh, and on Tumblr

15 comments:

  1. Excellent review Timmy ... both from your personal aspect & as an impartial reviewer. These are excellent books for young readers & for adults wanting to learn about teen issues.

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    1. They are great books. I was lucky enough to get the set in paperback for my birthday.
      <3 Timmy

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  2. {{{ Timmy }}} Great review. This sounds like it should be available in all schools and libraries.

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    1. They all should. I would like to see these and Omorphi in the libraries.
      <3 Timmy

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  3. Yes. Look where you are now, Timmy.
    You rocked this review, just as you always do.
    You are so amazing.
    So amazing, my friend.

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    1. <3 It's do to all the support of my peeps that I have made such great strides in my healing.
      <3 Timmy

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  4. The paperbacks are also available from The Book Depository, which has free shipping (including internationally). I have a friend who also says these are fantastic books and I had been thinking about getting them to donate to a local LGBTQ place. Your review here, Timmy, has made it a definite plan. If it gives even one kid hope for their future, something to hold onto and see them through tough circumstances or make them feel better about themselves, then that's an amazing thing.

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    1. Yes, they should be donated to every LGBT place around! Thank you and your wonderful heart for donating a set!
      <3 Timmy

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  5. Brandilyn, the gal who runs Prism Book Alliance keeps telling me I would adore this series. She's read them all several times, and she knows what I like to read, so they've definitely been on my radar. It just moved way up the list with this review. Thanks, Timmy. And if these books saved your life, then thanks to John Goode because my life would be a lot less bright without your virtual light in it.

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    1. Stay tuned for the review on the other books in the series! I hope you enjoy your read. They are very good books, but sad and hard to read without tissues.
      <3 Timmy

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  6. Timmy, I cannot convey how much your words move me. Great review!

    P.S. I am so looking forward to your book!

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    1. My book is still being written, and with so many good books to read, it's hard to find time to write. Sigh...
      <3 Timmy

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  7. I always look forward to your reviews, Timmy. I know you are going to tell it like it is and at the same time you're constructive about it. I'm so proud of you. xoxo

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    1. Thanks Sandy! Your support means so much to me!
      <3 Timmy

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