Tolog Review: King Dork

King Dork 
by Frank Portman
reviewed by Madelyn Brisbane 

Every high school class has that one strange kid that’s a bit off, whom mostly everyone keeps their distance from. Can you name yours? Well, at Hillmont High School, Tom Henderson, aka King Dork, is that kid. He was a scrawny young fellow who wasn’t very successful in sports, but had an unusual interest of rock and roll. Tom and his only friend, Sam Hellerman, had set out a plan to form their own epic rock and roll band, hoping to gain a bit more popularity, especially in the female department. However, their long-running dream had been constantly disrupted by the bullying and torment they faced daily together at school. Tom, in particular, was constantly teased with the nickname “Chi-Mo,” derived from his middle school trauma of being known as a child molester from taking a career test. Throughout all of this collision, Tom Henderson had also been dealing with the suicidal loss of his father. One day Tom comes across a bundle of his father’s old books, one being The Catcher in the Rye, in which Tom has a specific disliking to. As he skims through the pages in each novel, carefully glancing at his father’s written-in notes, Tom begins to change his perception. He ends up becoming a bit more involved in school and social events, such as the annual homecoming dance and constant keg parties. Tom rises quickly in the female world, especially with his almost “one-night stand” with the mysterious girl, Fiona. From there on, Tom’s risen fame quickly falls into a position that is lower than he had started out.

The epic tale of King Dork, written by Frank Portman, is told from the older Tom Henderson reflecting upon his high school self. We follow him on his trip down memory lane through the thick and the thin of his high school career. Throughout the novel, we see how Tom may have fallen, but end up cheering him on in his attempt to pick up the pieces.

It gives an interesting insight on the life of someone completely different from your own. Portman details the experience of everything from dealing with one dead parent to getting your butt kicked constantly every day to the exclusive encounter of being in a rock and roll band. I feel King Dork is a daring adventure only readers can experience through the words of Frank Portman. Every young adult, whether a current high school student or alumni, should have the opportunity to explore the unconventional world of Tom Henderson. Be sure to hop aboard the next voyage leading to Hillmont High School, and sail off into a whole new world.