-from The Misfits.
*Howe, James. The Misfits. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2003.
The Misfits is the third book I chose for my text set on LBGTQ literature. This novel focuses on 12 year old Bobby Goodspeed and his "Gang of Five" who are really a gang of four, but they keep the "Gang of Five" title for their group to "keep everyone on their toes." Bobby and his gang of five, at Prairie Falls Middle School, and are called every name in the book for their various characteristics that make them different in the school. Addie, is the girl of the gang, who is verbose about her political views and tends to shake up trouble in order to gain some attention here and there. Joe Bunch, is the homosexual of the group who comes out to his friends about halfway through the book. Skeezie is the "rebel without a cause" and Bobby is the "fatso" of the group. The gang decides to create a third party race for the school student council instead of just having Democrats and Republicans and their first try is to be the "Freedom Party" in order to support minority students. The administration doesn't allow them to race because they say a party should represent all students, so Bobby, who really comes into his own throughout the text, decides to make a party called the "No-Name Party" which stands to dispell all the names kids are called in the middle school [which is why it was important to make a list of the names the kids were called in the first place]. Addie falls for a young jock throughout the story, and Skeezie is supposed to help her out, but Skeezie and Bobby find out that Joe has also fallen for Collin and doesn't want to tell him. The boys aren't at all phased by his friend coming out to them, and they even decide they want to help him get Collin. Collin and Joe end up together, and become "Boyfriends" as they call it, and aren't called names for walking through the halls hand in hand as Joe was called in the beginning of the story.
I would say this story is more of a "coming of age" novel, where all the "gang of five" grows up in their own way, and the story mostly focuses on the story of Bobby and his relationship with his dad, and about how he gains courage, and gets the girl in the end.
Joe Bunch's story, having to do with him coming out about being gay was only a sidebar storyline and had some depth, but not as I was expecting, coming off "Boy Meets Boy." I like that the author, James Howe, created Joe's friends as characters who were accepting and understanding, and that his family was supportive. It shows a positive light on families that allow their kids to be whoever and however they want and express themselves, as opposed to in "Boy Meets Boy."
In terms of LBGTQ literature, I would say this is a good example of it, because it isn't focused on LBGTQ as a theme throughout the novel, but is brought up and explored in an original and authentic way, and gives the reader a lot to think about. I like that this story focused on a gay character in a "normal" setting, as opposed to "Boy Meets Boy" where the high school probably isn't in the majority throughout America right now. But the middle school portrayed in "The Misfits" is relatable to most readers, I believe, because all kids go through that awkward and harsh time of middle school where names are thrown about carelessly, and one wrong move sends you into the outskirts of the socializing population.
I like how Howe integrated the story about homosexuality into the bigger theme and picture of accepting differences and getting along and about pursuing dreams. It seemed natural and he integrated it in such a way that it flowed with the rest of the story lines, it didn't just seem like it was "dropped" into the plot in order to be labeled LBGTQ literature, or such a thing.
I am glad this novel was a part of my text set, because it is a different take than "And Tango Makes Three" and "Hard Love." I think the text set I have created encompasses different aspects of LBGTQ literature and honestly believe I will be able to use these books in my future as a teacher, depending on age appropriateness. I look forward to adding more books to this library, and helping to promote LBGTQ literature awareness.
Howe also is an insider on the LBGTQ topic because, according to his bio, after his first wife died, he married again, but then divorced and came out as gay and now has a relationship with a lawyer. His way of coming out was much like Joe Bunch's way, the gay character in the novel. I believe because of Howe's personal story, he is an "insider" on the LBGTQ topic.
"To The Gang of Five: May we all sprout wings and fly."
-The Misfits
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