Jackie Stone wasn’t the most popular girl, but her life wasn’t really terrible either… That is, until her father (Jared) was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Then, her life quickly spun out of control. With his family’s future financial security in mind, Jared made the decision to auction his life to the highest bidder on eBay. That is where we meet several of the other narrators — a billionaire who wants to win so that he and Jared can compete in their own “Hunger Games,” a nun who wants to win so that she can help people find God and see that the Catholic Church values all life, a producer who wants to sign Jared’s family up for a reality TV series, and an online gamer who simply feels compelled to try and win so that she can help this man die with dignity. I don’t think it is much of a spoiler to say that eBay took down the auction, since it clearly violates their human remains and body parts policy. And, based on the title, I don’t think it very “spoilery” to even acknowledge that Jared did, in fact, agree to contract with the American Television Network for a reality TV series. What I won’t spoil, nevertheless, is what happened *after* ATN stepped in. Suffice it to say that it was kinda crazy but also not completely outside the realm of possibility.
Between Jackie, Jared, Glio (the name the brain tumor gave itself), and the bidders from eBay, I initially found it a little difficult to follow the myriad of perspectives. I am glad that I kept going, nevertheless, because this story was filled with such great food for thought. Individual rights and privacy of minors in reality TV series and euthanasia were merely the tip of the iceberg! Despite the morbid premise, the story managed to be much more quirky than depressing and I am fairly certain I laughed more often than I was sad. If you enjoyed Reality Boy, you should definitely read this book as well.
Happy Reading!
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