This Michael L. Printz Honor Book and "School Library Journal" Best Book of the Year is an engaging debut--the story of two unlikely friends who meet when a high-school dropout talks a boy out of suicide and who ultimately save each other.

This Michael L. Printz Honor Book and "School Library Journal" Best Book of the Year is an engaging debut--the story of two unlikely friends who meet when a high-school dropout talks a boy out of suicide and who ultimately save each other.

A Michael L. Printz Honor BookTroy Billings is seventeen, 296 pounds, friendless, utterly miserable, and about to step off a New York subway platform in front of an oncoming train. Until he meets Curt MacCrae, an emaciated, semi-homeless, high school dropout guitar genius, the stuff of which Lower East Side punk rock legends are made. Never mind that Troy's dad thinks Curt's a drug addict and Troy's brother thinks Troy's the biggest (literally) loser in Manhattan. Soon, Curt's recruited Troy as his new drummer--even though Troy can't play the drums. Together, Curt and Troy will change the world of punk, and Troy's own life, forever. Troy's voice is candid, irreverent, realistic and humorous. [A] wonderful, engrossing tale.--SLJAn ALA BBYA A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book A Booklist Editors' Choice An SLJ Best Book of the Year A Miami Herald Best Book of the Year