Ginger Kid: Mostly True Tales from a Former Nerd by Steve Hofstetter

Abstract

Reviewed by: Ginger Kid: Mostly True Tales from a Former Nerd by Steve Hofstetter Karen Coats Hofstetter, Steve Ginger Kid: Mostly True Tales from a Former Nerd. Amulet, 2018 [304p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-4197-2870-9 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-68335-262-9 $15.54 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 7-10 TV and YouTube personality Hofstetter is determined to showcase his progression from mostly happy kid to mostly unhappy teen back to self-satisfied high school graduate in this memoir. Using the structure of a typical standup set, his chronologically arranged personal essays follow his transition from smart, confident kid in a diverse elementary school in Queens to quiet, nerdy kid in a competitive public high school in Manhattan. A propensity for storytelling was something he took with him, but humor became a fickle defense mechanism that sometimes served him well but other times fell flat. At a metalevel, most of the essays tell the story of someone coming to terms with what it means to be a performative introvert; bullies and mean girls plagued him, friends and possible romances often disappointed him. He did find social success in unexpected places, including his Jewish youth group [End Page 293] and his school’s improv club. The stories Hofstetter tells are simple, engaging, and, unlike his recorded comedy special of the same title, G-rated and apolitical. While he is living a life of fame, travel, and financial success that many kids no doubt dream of, his origin story is a humble one; indeed, it is the sheer ordinariness of his experiences that will likely prove to be their most inspiring aspect. Copyright © 2018 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois