Going, K.L.  King of the Screwups.  Harcourt, 2009.  978-0-15-206258-3.  $17.00.  Grades 8 to 12.

K.L. Going’s latest novel is a study in stereotypes, and how they really don’t necessarily apply  to  everyone.  Liam is an extremely popular high school senior with a extremely successful executive dad and former  supermodel for a mom.  Liam is more like his mom–good taste in clothing exquisite social skills, and straight.    Liam screws up one too many times, so after  a night of binge drinking with a pretty girl,  he is exiled to living in a trailer with his uncle in a tiny town in upstate New York.  Fortunately for Liam, and the reader, things are not what they seem.   Liam’s  gay uncle is an aging glam rocker who is messy and has no fashion sense, but he does have  a heart of gold.   His uncle’s friends and the cute girl living next door help Liam find himself and learn to deal with his over-bearing  father.  You’ll find yourself cheering for Liam to work things out with his family and to realize that he’s not a screw-up, just trying to be something he’s not, which is to be like his dad.