The misfits

Kliatt, July, 2003 by Paula Rohrlick

HOWE, James. The misfits. Simon & Schuster, Aladdin. 274p. c2001. 0-689-83956-1. $5.99. J To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, September 2001:

Howe. the popular author of Bunnicula and over 70 other books for young readers. tackles coming-of-age issues in this humorous, upbeat story of four 7th-grade friends, misfits whose courageously expressed convictions shake up their small town school. "Kids who get called the worst names oftentimes find each other," the narrator, Bobby, points out. He's all too used to being called "fatso," while his old friend Addle is labeled "beanpole" and "know-it-all." Skeezie's style of dress gets him called "greaser" and "hooligan"; effeminate Joe is tagged "faggot." Idealistic Addie starts the ball of change rolling by refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in class, objecting to the evident lack in society of "liberty and justice for all." She plans to launch a new political party, the Freedom Party. to compete in the upcoming school election, but it's quiet Bobby who surprises even himself by coming up with the idea for the No-Name Party. "to put an end to name calling."

Meanwhile, Bobby is coming to understand more about the sad tie salesman he works with at a local department store, and about his withdrawn, widowed father, while he struggles with a crush on a girl in his art class. Some of the other friends have crushes on other classmates; Joe comes out of the closet (and everyone easily accepts this). Bobby delivers an eloquent speech at the elections that helps everyone understand that names can hurt, and that people are more than the names they are called. His group doesn't win the election. but his speech makes an impact and they get a commitment from the administration to address name-calling.

This story is more idealistic than realistic. perhaps, but it's well written, entertaining, and even inspiring: you come away thinking how wonderful it would be if middle school problems really could be resolved like this. Much of the story is told in dialogue--more accurately, minutes of the friends' "Forums"--and their interchanges are funny and believable. A great read for 6th and 7th graders. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT