Better Nate Than Ever

Note: Let me say first that I read this book with the most "un-prudish" part of my open parental brain. But this is not a book I would feel comfortable giving any kid under the age of 14 -- and to be honest, I don't think the majority of kids over 14 would enjoy it. There are adults who are raving over it, if only because they wish it had been around when they were 10 or 11.This book. Where do I start?First, with the good. Federle is a good writer, and the story moves at a good pace. I don't remember ever reading a book about a kid who was so interested and committed to theater. Nate's ability to navigate his way to New York City and tryout for a big-time production is amazing and inspiring, even as he deals with bullies (and even grown ups) who do not take him seriously, make fun of his "flaws", and generally put roadblock after roadblock in his path. He struggles to find support and self-confidence, even as his naivete and dedication continue to propel him forward, and he discovers that he can achieve much more than anyone gave him credit for.Now for the problems. This book, intended for readers between the ages of 9 and 13, is often jarring at times, because the character is 13, and most of the writing is only appropriate for this age range -- but then, suddenly, a more "mature" moment gets thrown in there. It is no secret that Nate (almost 14) is realizing his attraction more to other boys than girls, but then there are parts where he is ogling grown up men. Other readers have had a hard time with the author's inclusion of the "f"-word (ends with a "-g" or "-ot", rather than a "-ck"), which I understand has more to do with understanding the slurs that are thrown at Nate as opposed to encouraging kids to use that kind of language. I had to think about this story long and hard as a parent, and make sure I was not simply uncomfortable with it because the main character is coming to terms with his sexuality.However, imagine the main character is a girl, and this is how part of the story goes: "...And as I'm fondling the rabbit foot and making sure my fly is zipped up and wondering if we woke Freckles, out he comes from the bedroom, wearing pajama bottoms and -- oh, how funny -- no shirt. 'What's up?' he says, rubbing his eye. Gosh, nobody back home is built like him, other than the varsity swim team. But he's so much older than them, like some animated character: AdultBoyMan, with a high schooler's fatless body and a kind of adult's face." Or maybe turn "Freckles" into a woman, as described by a straight boy -- how would that go over? One reviewer called this book "good for any age" -- but really???!!! Not for my kids, at least under the age of 13 or 14.There are other parts of the book that seem a bit too racy for this age group as well: Nate's best friend (a girl) is caught playing in his brother's underwear drawer, Nate's mother shows up drunk to bring him home from NYC, a comment from his father that leads Nate to mention "This from a man who reportedly ran around with an exotic dancer in McKeesport throughout all of last winter," and other (dirty) asides that I can't imagine even quoting here (i.e., discussions about a Museum of Sex and the hood of his borrowed parka).It's a shame, really, because most of these questionable (at best) parts could have been left out, and it would have been a much more appropriate book, without compromising much from the story overall. And kids need a book like this, with a point of view that's different from the current norm.My take? You need a strong stomach and a birth certificate that is at least 14 years old to enjoy this book.

I resisted Tim Federle's "Better Nate than Ever" just because it was so popular and has been getting such incredible press.But Federle is coming to my local bookstore and I figured I should read it, and go meet him.Good move. It's a wonderful book. Yes, as one of the lone low-score reviewers said, it might be a book for people who are into Broadway and that whole New York experience - but given that this means millions of potential people across the country, then why is that a criticism? Some people. Yeesh.This is a Young Adult novel aimed at early teenagers - but written with a sparkling, sharp-edged humor and bracingly fast pace. The author's voice feels like a teen, but has the language skills of an adult. It works - or it worked for me. A lot. It all but careens through Nate Foster's escape from the rural outskirts of Pittsburgh to the gritty reality of what he, adorably, calls Manhattan City.There is not a single thing about Nate that resembles me or my life at the age of thirteen. And yet I identified with him so fully as I read the book I had to stop and remind myself that I wasn't like this.I laughed out loud throughout the book - and yet there were several moments, small, incisive bits of very smart writing, that surprised me into tears. Because where Nate and I do intersect is that place where, at thirteen, you realize you're not a "normal" boy, and that you'll never fit into that mold. Never.And the great triumph of this book is that Nate, in the end, is fine with that. Which makes the whole adventure more than worthwhile - for me, as well.

This book is definitely a new favorite - I most certainly will be getting the sequels! I have to know what happens next.It reminds me of me in a lot of ways and I hope it helps a lot of other queer kids (or other “black sheep” of their families). Very touching without being too corny. Cannot recommend enough!

This book is hilarious fun! I pre-ordered it for my 6th grade son, who developed a love of musical theater in the last year. When it came this week, I flipped to the author bio, and burst out laughing: "Tim Federle is the author of over 700 emails..." I started reading the book, and realized last night that I had to stop since it was 1 am.Nate is 13, and tormented in school in his home town near Pittsburgh. His one best friend is Libby and she shares his love of musical theater. He embarks on a trip to New York City by himself to audition for E.T. the Musical. I think Federle gets the tone of middle school aged kids exactly right: Whip-smart funny, but also naive and unsure of themselves. I absolutely loved all of Nate's wide-eyed observations about being in New York City for the first time. He's amazed to find Appleby's right next to the bus station! And a cupcake shop on every street.The author has appeared in several Broadway shows and was the associate choreographer on Billy Elliot on Broadway working with all the children in the show. So he knows the subject matter, and he knows theater kids.This book is just excellent, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I'm hoping we get a sequel for further adventures of Nate!

This book is amazing Nate is one of the best character ever you are cheering him on all the way and his adventure is one I could only dream of

A wonderful, exhilarating and funny story. Wilhelm von Rosen

This is a wonderful book. Particularly, if like me, you have a passion for Broadway musicals. It’s aimed at teenagers but I’m 39 and I absolutely loved it! It’s extremely well written, and very witty . From the moment I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. Nate is such a warm character you can’t help but fall in love with him instantly. Now having finished it, I am just hoping Tim Federle writes a sequel. I would download it in an instant!

"A kid who might have found someplace where he doesn't have to change anything about himself, to fit in. (A kid going as himself for Halloween, but the best version, the ultimate.) A better Nate than ever. "Nate Foster , a 13 years old boy from Pittsburgh, has a backstory- he can sing, he loves to sing and he knows EVERY SINGLE MUSICAL on this planet.And Nate Forster has a dream- he wants to star in a Broadway show .And Nate Forster has a plan - to take a bus to New York to audition for a Broaday musical version of E.T., and get back home after the audition BEFORE his parents come back from their seventeen-year anniversary weekend. He has never been anywhere in his life except Pittsburgh.And Nate Forster has a little help from his only and the best friend Libby, who shares his love for musicals. But as we all know from our own experience- not everything in our life works as it should.No, this book is not exactly Nate Fosteralone alone in NY .Well, in some way maybe. What this book is for sure NOT is a MM-romance. And what this book for sure doesn't have - a sexual tension or sex scenes. This book is a child book. Look at all these awards that Better Nate Than Ever was nominated for or won: *** Stonewall Book Award Nominee for Children's & Young Adult Literature (2014) *** Golden Kite Award for Fiction (2014) *** Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (2015) *** Lambda Literary Award Nominee for LGBT Children's/Young Adult (2014) *** American Library Association Rainbow List Top 10 (2014) *** ALA Odyssey Honor Book (2014) *** Odyssey Honor (2014) *** YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten) (2014)It is a wonderful book, a refreshing, a sweet début novel about friendship and family and about our most impossible dreams come true.If you love musicals, and I mean - if you REALLY have expert knowledge or at least are well-informed about a content of many musicals - you probably will have even more fun reading this book than I had, because Nate compares almost every situation in his life and almost every person he comes across with a scene or a character from musicals.I thought I would laugh non-stop reading the book, and I really did, in the beginning, but more I read about a boy who was a bit different and therefore he didn't have a lot of friends except Libby, about a boy being bullied at school and called names, even if Nate told his story with humour and a warm child charm, even when he tried to find all these episodes in his boyish life comical and witty, my anger against his classmates and my sadness has been grown toward the end.P.S. After reading about the author, I can imagine that this book was a result of his own experience and probably even a bit autobiographical. He grew up in San Francisco and Pittsburgh before moving to New York to dance on Broadway.

I choose this rating because it is a amazing book and surprising and alsoVery interesting how he escaped to new York all by himself