The Gang of Five, which really consists of four: Skeezie, Addie, Joe and Bobby, are all misfits who have been called names their whole life and will never be part of the popular crowd at their middle school. After Addie decides to take a stand for minorities and those that "Justice for All" don't apply to, the gang creates a third political party to run for Student Counsel whether or not the teachers approve of it. When the gang finds their emerging hormones raging and crushes forming, their love triangles may start to get in the way, but their political message becomes clear when Bobby creates the No-Name Party and runs on a platform of no more name calling.
This was a great, quick read about the difficulties of Middle School and how hard it is to not be part of the crowd and what finding your identity is all about as you leave childhood. I started crying when Bobby gave his speech for the No-Name Party and it was well-deserved tears, not sloppy, heavy-handed, pulling my heart string tears (though I'm not going to say that wasn't part of it). The voices of the characters were fun and real and asked the sort of questions about life that kids this age are really starting to ponder for themselves. Plus it grappled with issues of homosexuality and race without making either of these things the sole focus of the novel.
Intended reading level: Grades 5-8 Interest level: Grade 5
Genre: coming-of-age, realistic fiction
First in a series of companion books
Comparable titles: Stargirl, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, The Absolutely-True Diary of a Part Time Indian
Book connetions: political pins with bad names crossed out, neckties, peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches
Book Trailer:
Glogster link-http://www.glogster.com/egoode/the-misfits-by-james-howe/g-6lsolig5squfdadejignca0
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