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    The Misfits
    The Misfits
    The Misfits
    Audiobook4 hours

    The Misfits

    Written by James Howe

    Narrated by Spencer Murphy and Full Cast

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    A little too smart, a little too fat, Bobby Goodspeed has always been a go along to get along kind of guy.

    But when his friend Addie decides to tackle the student council elections, Bobby finds himself changing in ways he never could have imagined in this tender, touching, utterly hilarious novel of life as a middle school misfit.

    ©2001 James Howe; (P)2002 Full Cast Audio

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFull Cast Audio
    Release dateJan 1, 2002
    ISBN9781932076943
    Author

    James Howe

    James Howe is the author of more than ninety books for young readers. Bunnicula, coauthored by his late wife Deborah and published in 1979, is considered a modern classic of children’s literature. The author has written six highly popular sequels, along with the spinoff series Tales from the House of Bunnicula and Bunnicula and Friends. Among his other books are picture books such as Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores and beginning reader series that include the Pinky and Rex and Houndsley and Catina books. He has also written for older readers. The Misfits, published in 2001, inspired the nationwide antibullying initiative No Name-Calling Week, as well as three sequels, Totally Joe, Addie on the Inside, and Also Known as Elvis. A common theme in James Howe’s books from preschool through teens is the acceptance of difference and being true to oneself. Visit him online at JamesHowe.com.

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    Reviews for The Misfits

    4/5

    161 ratings14 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Bobby Goodspeed and his friends have been friends and misfits for years. Now in 7th grade, they figure they have been called at least 72 different names, and decide to run for student council on a "no names" party line.
    • 5/5
      I read this book when it first came out and managed the young adult section of a bookstore.More recently, I read this book with my nine year old son. While it endeared to me the first time around, I think as a parent that I like The Misfits even better. I know nine might seem a touch on the young side for this book, but my son was able to process the ideas of bigotry, name-calling, accidental racism, and homophobia without trouble.I'd suggest this book to any parent who thinks they're kiddo is the right age to learn these concepts, and more broadly to anyone who just wants a good read that covers heavy topics with a few smiles and proud moments along the way.James Howe does a fantastic job of looking his target audience in the eye without giving them too much to handle, or insulting anyone's intelligence along the way.
    • 5/5
      Bobby Goodspeed and his three friends--Addie Carle, Joe Bunch, and Skeezie Tookis--are the misfits in their middle school. Bobby is fat and quiet, Addie is both very bright and very idealistic (and outspoken), Skeezie cultivates an image somewhere between Elvis and Fonzie, and Joe Bunch is gay.

      But the middle school election for the student body government is coming up, and Addie has an idea. She wants them to participate--and not by joining in on one of the existing parties, Democrat and Republican. She wants to launch a third party, the Freedom Party, with the idea that they will represent minority students.

      But the school administration is not impressed by their vague platform and the fact that they've managed to recruit a popular black student as their presidential candidate. Addie is passionate, but they don't really have a platform.

      Then Bobby realizes their real platform has been staring them in the face all along--all the mean, belittling names they've been called since kindergarten--and not just them, of course. It's a torture most kids live through, and it's something the four-member Gang of Five can speak about with eloquence and clarity.

      This book takes on some tough issues, but it does so with good humor and a light touch. These kids aren't miserable; they're not the popular kids at school, but for the most part they enjoy their lives. They're not the victims of bullying who are at risk of suicide from the abuse--but they still hate being the targets of name-calling, and their big insight is that everyone else hates being the targets of name-calling, too.

      James Howe has a gentle sense of humor and treats all his characters with respect, and this is, as you'd expect from Howe, an excellent story. The bonus extra is that this is a Full Cast Audio recording, with all the excellent production values that that entails.

      Recommended.

      I bought this book.
    • 3/5
      I swear to god, if I was anything like these kids when I was in high school, I now understand why I was bullied so badly.
    • 4/5
      I've just started this book and can already tell I will like it, however, I wish I would have read it before "Totally Joe" because now I feel as if I will be totally disappointed because I found "Totally Joe" so amazing. More to come...
    • 4/5
      This is the story about a group of friends who are protective of one another and take on the student council to begin an anti-bullying campaign. This is a great story of adversity and friendship. I would use this story for 5th grade on up.
    • 4/5
      I very much enjoyed this book. If I had had more time, I probably could have finished it in a couple of hours.

      The narrator was funny and the storyline was interesting. What I liked most, however, was the fact the book had a good message and meaning, but it wasn't overly preachy. Which, for YAs that's a good thing.
    • 3/5
      Bobby Goodspeed and his friends have been friends and misfits for years. Now in 7th grade, they figure they have been called at least 72 different names, and decide to run for student council on a "no names" party line.
    • 4/5
      "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit." Is that a lesson for us all or what?The first book in the 'misfits' trilogy (so far) introduces us to the gang of five; friends who have come together for support and camaraderie. They are the teased, the bullied, outcasts at school, and worse, even in their own minds. Don't dare call these kids 'losers' however. They realize that each of them is OK - just the way they are. They decide to take action in the elections for Student Council. They meet opposition from many sides, including the school administrators. But instead of just quietly disappearing, they plan to achieve success in spite of the obstacles. Do they make it? Read the book and find out!James Howe, the author shows a keen ear for the voices of young people, in this case seventh grade. They ring true and make the story that much more believable. I recommend this book especially for middle school aged folks. It's a fun read and very empowering. I look forward to more books in this series.
    • 5/5
      Basically the story of just about every high school outcast, this is amazingly easy to get in to. When four "misfits" decide to run for school council, it causes it bit of a stir. One is a too tall, too smart girl, another a motherless, fat boy, a third is a a fashionable diva boy, and the last as a too tough, rough and tumble boy. The four of them together form the Gang of Five (just to keep people on their toes). At first they only run to take a stand, but when they run to make a difference, people start paying attention. This is really an easy book to slip into and enjoy. The message is straight forward, and of course everything resolves itself in the end, even going so far as to have a follow up on the characters adult lives. Suggested for teens in general.
    • 4/5
      Bob and his friends, who are seventh grade social outcasts, decide to start a political party based on the premise that name-calling is wrong. Not only do they gain a lot of support from their classmates, they gain inner strength as well. this confidence aloows Bob to pursue the girl he really likes and for Joe to come out to his friends. Good for middle school and ninth grade.
    • 4/5
      Have you ever been called a mean name? Been picked on? Felt like you don't fit in? We all know that words can wound but more importantly, friendships may heal. The misfits is a great book about a group of kids in middle school who are viewed as the 'outcasts'. This group of students call themselves the "Gang of Five." When it is time for student council elections, Addie, one of the "Gang of five" decides to take a stand and give all of those who don't normally have a voice, a chance to be heard. This third party that they create brings the reader on a mix of emotions from happy to angry to sad. This is a wonderful book and is especially great for classroom discussion.
    • 5/5
      The Misfits is a great book about four kids who call themselves the “Gang of Five”. Bobby, the narrator of the story and a fat kid, Addie, a brainier, Skeezie, a greaser, and Joe, a gay boy, are the Misfits of the school. Well one day they are told that the school elections are going to be held soon. Addie, being an activist, wants to make a different party to run against the Democrats and Republicans. So the Misfits become the No-Name party. You are taken on an emotional roller coaster throughout the book. But it is an amazing ride!!As a student reading this book I found myself having tears in my eyes at times, but then turning the page and laughing out loud. This book took me back to my middle school days. I even remember having some of the same things happen to me that happened to them. This is a great read!!!!As a teacher this book is another great discussion starter. You can talk to your kids about any of the topics or characters in the book and have a lengthy discussion. This book brings up some controversial issues that might need to be explored in your classrooms as well. Awesome book!!!
    • 5/5
      Four long-time friends take a stand against name calling within their school by running for student government. Bobby, the narrator, has a great voice for telling the story. You will cheer for these underdogs as they try to change the culture of their school.