THE MISFITS by James Howe

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Howe, James. The Misfits. New York, NY: Antheum Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN
0689839553

PLOT SUMMARY

The Gang of Five is a group of four kids who attend Paintbrush Falls Middle School. What makes them friends is the fact that they do not fit in with the normal kids at school. Addie is tall and extremely smart. Bobby is overweight. Joe is homosexual. And "Skeezie" is Elvis reincarnate. When school election time rolls around, Addie decides that two parties do not fit all. She wants to create her own party called the Freedom Party. However, the Principal and the teacher in charge of the Student Council decide that the platform of the Freedom Party is no different from the other two parties, so there is no need for a third party in the elections. Thus, the No-Name Party evolves from the Freedom Party. Unlike the Freedom Party the No-Name Party does offer a different platform- to end name calling at the Paintbrush Falls Middle School. Their slogan is "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can break my spirit."

As the elections near, Bobby, who has been called names since the third grade when his mother died and he began eating peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches, becomes the spokesman for the party. He is able to articulate what name calling has done to him in his life. The worst part being that you begin believing the names. The school erupts in applause as each student is able to relate to the feelings Bobby expresses. After delivering the campaign speech, the No-Name Party must wait to find out the results of the elections.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

James Howe has written a Young Adult novel that "young adults" of all ages can relate. Not only does he tackle the issues of name calling, teasing and fitting in at the middle school level, Howe shows the results of early name calling in the lives of the adults present in the lives of the Gang of Five. The book also explores the relationships of parents to their children, middle school crushes, strong personal support systems and the death of a loved one in The Misfits. The story is told through the eyes of Bobby Goodspeed as he looks back on his middle school experiences with the No-Name Party and how the group made a difference, be it somewhat small, in the middle school environment at the time.

The Misfits book would be a good "Book Club" or class read. The theme of accepting others as well as yourself is universal. The elements of quality Young Adult literature are present. The book deals with coming of age issues in a subtle refreshing manner. Howe uses storytelling through the eyes of Bobby to make the point rather than beating you over the head with it. I would definitely recommend reading this novel.

REVIEW EXERPTS

Horn Book Guide (November 1, 2001) "Though weighed down by its circuitous plot and didactic message, the story is leavened by everyday concerns: middle-school crushes (both straight and gay), romantic intrigues, teacher-student conflicts, and the trials of a first after-school job, all related in Bobby's fresh and distinctive voice."

Publishers Weekly (October 29, 2001) "It is not until softer-spoken Bobby says what's in his heart about nicknames and taunts that people begin to listen and take notice, granting their respect for the boy they used to call "Lardo" and "Fluff." The four "misfits" are slightly larger than life wiser than their years, worldlier than the smalltown setting would suggest, and remarkably well-adjusted but there remains much authenticity in the story's message about preadolescent stereotyping and the devastating effects of degrading labels. An upbeat, reassuring novel that encourages preteens and teens to celebrate their individuality."

Voice of Youth Advocates (December 1, 2001) "The Gang of Five starts the NO-NAME PARTY. Their platform is "End name-calling once and for all!" They make a list of seventy names that they have been called, write each word on paper inside a red circle with a line cutting through, and secretly post these all over the school. The school buzzes; even the principal cannot ignore the name calling any more because, as Bobby says, "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit." Howe allows the reader to become a fly-on-the-wall spy while these four very real kids chatter away about everyday happenings that should not be normal in this timely, sensitive, laugh-out-loud must-read for all middle school students and teachers. This book is needed."