Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy

For Ages: 12 and up

customer reviews

Carlos Duarte knows that he's fabulous. He's got a better sense of style than half the fashionistas in New York City, and he can definitely apply makeup like nobody's business. He may only be in high school, but when he lands the job of his dreams--makeup artist at the FeatureFace counter in Macy's--he's sure that he's finally on his way to great things.

But the makeup artist world is competitive and cutthroat, and for Carlos to reach his dreams, he'll have to believe in himself more than ever.

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Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers |
240 pages |
ISBN 9781416939962 |
July 2011 |
Grades 7 and up

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Praise

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“Wright gives voice, complexity, and heart to the kind of character often relegated to a cliché sidekick role...[Carlos is] a walking example of the inner strength teens need--regardless of their sexuality.”

– Publishers Weekly

“Wright’s occasionally flashy but mostly straightforward...prose should work equally well for bookish and non-bookish readers.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“Readers will simultaneously root for and marvel at this fascinating character.”

– School Library Journal

“There's a whole lot going on in Wright’s novel, but it’s handled deftly and, for the most part, believably. Best of all, Carlos is not completely defined by his homosexuality. It is an important part of him, yes, but so... ”

– Booklist

“A fast-paced and humorous chick-lit read, Carlos is sure of himself and yet willing to acknowledge when he makes mistakes. His loyalty to friends and family and grace under pressure come through as he overcomes stereotyping to... ”

– Library Media Connection

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Read an Excerpt

When I was twelve, I convinced my mother to let me do her makeup for Parents’ Night. When I was finished, my sister, Rosalia, who was fifteen, said, “Ma, aren’t ya even gonna say anything?”

Ma said to me, “All right, so it looks nice, Carlos. But I don’t think I should be encouraging something like this. I’m not gonna go to your school and tell your teacher, ‘See my face! Isn’t it pretty? My son did my makeup. Didn’t he do an excellent job?”

Rosalia asked, “Why not?”

Ma said, “You know why not! Don’t make me say it.”