Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach has garnered praise for its authentic portrayal of adolescence and humor. Readers appreciate the protagonist's growth and relatability, as well as the engaging, humorous narrative. Some find the pacing uneven and secondary characters underdeveloped. Overall, it's celebrated as a heartfelt and entertaining read that resonates with teenagers.

Readers who would enjoy Geoff Herbach's Stupid Fast are typically teens who appreciate coming-of-age stories with humor and depth. Comparable to fans of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and John Green's Looking for Alaska, they seek narratives exploring identity, growth, and resilience amid personal and social challenges.

In Geoff Herbach’s young adult novel Stupid Fast (2011), 15-year-old Felton Reinstein transforms from a nerdy outcast to a talented athlete after hitting puberty. While navigating new friendships and a budding relationship with Aleah, he struggles with his mother's worsening mental health and the lingering trauma from his father's death by suicide, ultimately seeking help to manage his family's crises. Stupid Fast contains content concerning suicide and may be emotionally challenging and cause discomfort or distress for some readers. Additionally, the novel uses racially charged language, as well as stigmatizing language around mental health.

Humorous / Emotional / Adventurous / Contemplative

- Stupid Fast is the first book in a trilogy by Geoff Herbach, followed by Nothing Special and I'm With Stupid, focusing on the coming-of-age journey of the protagonist, Felton Reinstein.
- The novel won the 2011 Cybils Award for Young Adult Fiction, recognizing its appeal to both young adult readers and literary quality.
- Author Geoff Herbach drew on his own experiences and emotions as a teenager to imbue the story with authenticity and humor, according to interviews and commentaries.

**Felton Reinstein**  
A 15-year-old navigating puberty, Felton deals with anxiety and low self-esteem, finding solace in football and friendship despite family struggles.

**Andrew Reinstein**  
Felton's younger brother, Andrew is a skilled pianist who values communication and offers emotional support amid family challenges.

**Jerri Berba**  
Mother to Felton and Andrew, Jerri is characterized by her eccentric interests and faces a mental health crisis that impacts her family.

**Aleah Jennings**  
A talented pianist from Chicago, Aleah is Felton's girlfriend who helps him find confidence and provides support during difficult times.

**Cody Fredericks**  
A supportive friend who encourages Felton to join the football team, helping him gain confidence and connect with others.

**Grandma Berba / Carol**  
Jerri's mother, who intervenes during the family's crisis, providing much-needed support and guidance for Felton and Andrew.

**Gus Alfonso**  
Felton's childhood friend with whom he shares a long-standing bond, despite occasional tension and jealousy.

**Peter Yang**  
Another of Felton's childhood friends, Peter is more reserved and becomes less central to Felton's life as the story progresses.

**Karpinski**  
A teammate who initially clashes with Felton but becomes a friend once Felton joins the football team and gains confidence.

**Jason Reese**  
A teammate who, like Karpinski, evolves from a former bully to a friend as Felton gains social standing through sports.

**Abby Sauter**  
A former classmate of Felton's who teases and supports him; she becomes a friend as Felton gains confidence.

**Jess Withrow**  
A friend of Abby's who, along with Abby, befriends and supports Felton during his transformation.

**Ken Johnson**  
A star athlete and coach's son who initially bullies Felton due to jealousy but later attempts to make amends.

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