KL Going facts for kids

KL Going (born August 21, 1973) is an American author. She writes exciting books for children and teenagers.

Her first novel, Fat Kid Rules the World, won a special award. It was named a Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book. This award comes from the American Library Association. Her book was also on the list of Best Books for Young Adults. It was even named one of the Best Books of the Past Decade.

KL Going's books have received many honors. They have been chosen by Booksense and Scholastic Book Clubs. They are also Junior Library Guild selections. The New York Public Library has listed them as Best Books for Teenagers. Her books have also won state book awards.

Magazines like Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal have praised her work. Kirkus Reviews and the Children's Book Council have also called them best books of the year.

Her stories are popular around the world. They have been published in Korea, Italy, and Japan. You can also find her books in Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Her novel Fat Kid Rules the World was even made into a movie. The film won an Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival.

Going started her career in publishing. She worked at Curtis Brown, Ltd.. This is one of the oldest literary agencies in New York City. A literary agency helps authors sell their books to publishers. She used this experience to write Writing and Selling the Young Adult Novel. This book helps new writers learn how to get their books published. She has also written short stories and picture books.

About KL Going's Life

KL Going's full name is Kelly Louise Going. She was born in Rhinebeck, New York.

Her Writing Journey

After college, KL Going volunteered in New Orleans, Louisiana. She taught adults how to read. When she returned to New York, she started working at Curtis Brown, Ltd. This was a literary agency.

After her first novel, Fat Kid Rules the World, was published, she left the agency. She wanted to write full-time. Besides writing, she also managed a bookstore. It was called the Merritt Bookstore in Cold Spring, New York.

KL Going has written many books. She has three young adult novels. She also has three novels for middle school readers (ages eight to twelve). She has written a picture book too. Her reference book, Writing and Selling the YA Novel, helps other writers.

She has more picture books and novels planned for the future. Her books are published by big companies. These include Penguin Random House and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Her books have won many awards. Some have been made into audiobooks. Her novel Fat Kid Rules the World became a movie. Rights for her books have also been bought for TV and Broadway theatre. She has written short stories for different collections. These include Rush Hour Volume 3 and Full House.

Besides writing, KL Going also teaches. She leads workshops for the Highlights Foundation. She speaks at schools and libraries. She also does Skype visits with schools worldwide. She teaches language arts part-time at the Homestead School. This is a private school in upstate New York.

Young Adult Novels

• Fat Kid Rules the World (2003): This story is about Troy, a 296-pound teenager. He becomes friends with a local guitar player named Curt MacCrae. Curt wants them to start a band. He insists Troy be the drummer, even though Troy doesn't know how to play.
• Saint Iggy (2006): This book tells the story of Iggy Corso. He gets kicked out of school for supposedly threatening a teacher. Iggy then tries to do good things. He hopes to change what others think about him.
• King of the Screw Ups (2009): This is a funny story about Liam Gellar. He gets kicked out of his home. He has to move in with his uncle, who loves glam-rock and cross-dressing. Liam wants to get back into his father's good graces. He decides to do better in school. He also tries to avoid being too popular, which always causes him trouble. But even when he tries to mess up, he somehow succeeds.

Middle Grade Books

• The Liberation of Gabriel King (2005): This is a historical fiction novel set in 1976. It's about Gabriel King and his best friend Frita Wilson. They decide to face all their fears during one summer.
• The Garden of Eve (2007): This novel mixes magic with real life. It explores feelings like sadness and how people heal and grow.
• Pieces of Why (2016): After a shooting in her neighborhood, Tia searches for answers. She wants to find the truth about the crime that sent her father to prison years ago.

Picture Books

• Dog in Charge (2012): Find out what happens when a dog is left to watch five clever cats.
• Pablo the Poet (publishing date unknown): This book shows how the poetry of Pablo Neruda made everyday things seem amazing.
• Bumpety, Dunkety, Thumpety-Thump (2017): Get ready for rhythm, fun sounds, and a great time!
• Can't Stop Kissing That Baby (publishing date unknown): Moms all over the world truly love their babies!
• The Shape of the World (2017): This book was inspired by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It shows how the world around us is made up of many different shapes.

Movie Adaptation

The movie Fat Kid Rules the World was shown at South by Southwest. It won the Audience Award for Narrative Spotlight. The actor Matthew Lillard directed the film. The script was written by Michael Galvin and Peter Speakman. Jacob Wysocki plays the main character in the movie. Mike McCready from the band Pearl Jam wrote the music for the film. It was filmed in Seattle, Washington.