Kick Me by Paul Fieg

Kick Me by Paul Fieg
Coming-Of-Age Teen Memoir
ISBN: 0-609-80943-1
Three Rivers Press, 2002
278 pp.
Suitable for 12+

Readers Annotation: Paul Feig takes his readers on a nostalgic trip to the past when he was an awkward geek trying to survive his childhood and teen years.

Plot Summary: Told from the perspective of Paul Feig, the story starts off from the beginning of his time, from grade school in the late-1960s/early 1970s all the way to his senior prom in 1980. From the get-go, Feig is an awkward nerd and it doesn't help that his last name is Feig, which translates into "fag" from the bullies; Paul constantly gets made fun of. Paul is mostly a loner, apart from the one or two fellow-nerds he meets along the way. Unfortunately, as the years go on, it doesn't get any better. He has many uncomfortable experiences in gym class, an awkward family life, the few dates that he's able to get end disastrously; everything is awkward in the life of Paul Feig. However, he survives these years the only way he knows how: by dressing up as a girl when he's home along, discovering the pleasure of climbing a rope, and helping out his dad at the hardware store he owns.

Critical Evaluation: The style of the book is similar to the TV show Freaks and Geeks, as there are numerous cringe-worthy moments but there are also really hilarious ones too. This memoir is told from the person who's living these moments, Paul Feig, and only he can give these awkward moments justice. Feig is straight to the point, with simple language, telling it as it is, but with tinges of humor thrown in to make these awkward moments enjoyable and relateable for all teens. Feig paces himself nicely throughout, not spending too much time in one era or place, but giving the reader a nice overview of his life. The one thing that stands out is his self-awareness and this actually provides a nice character arch. Though he hates himself for being a nerd in the beginning, he eventually learns to accept it and live with himself the way he is, which is the underlying message of the story.

Author: Paul Feig was born in 1962 and was raised in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He graduated from USC School of Cinema in 1984 and actually won $29,000 on $25, 000 Pyramid; he used his winnings to start his stand-up career. Cringe-worthy comedy became his trademark and though his stand-up comedy career faltered, e started out in the film business by acting on various TV shows but he is best known for being the creator of the short-lived sitcom, Freaks and Geeks.

After Freaks and Geeks, Feig worked on various projects. He continued acting and directing in various TV shows and films. He's also written a couple memoirs, Kick Me and Superstud. Recently, Feig has directed Nurse Jackie and Bridesmaids.

Booktalking Ideas:
1) Alienation
2) Bullying
3)Coming-of-age

Challenge Issues: There are no major challenge issues present in this book.

Why Included: I loved Feig's sitcom, Freaks and Geeks and I've read that many of his ideas came from real life. It only made sense that I would read his memoir and I was very satisfied that many things that happened on the show happened to him in real life like hilarious cringe-worthy moments when he is afraid to shower with the other guys; I find it hilarious and relatable.