I enjoyed this book and the message it portrayed . I would however prefer it there was less slang. I understand that slang is necessary to represent the realistic conversation of teenagers and high school setting.
I have to admit that bullying in high school is a phenomenon that I did not see in my high school or growing up. If there was a person that somebody did not like in the classroom it never went to the extent that was harmful and destructive for the individual. I have heard about bullying only through the movies and documentaries. This novel can serve a good lesson to young adolescents to teach them about complexity of human character and the psychological damage bullying can cause. The author portrays realistically difficulties of school social life through the characters of four teenagers: Addie, Bobby, Joe and Skeezy. They form a group Gang of Five and they meet every week to discuss important issues. Name calling is an issue that many teenagers experience in their lives. This novel made me think about the misfits in general, people who do not conform, who think out of the box, independently. The authors shows that there are people and friends in this world for everyone. It is important to be who you are, rather then give in to the majority opinion, and do things just because it is popular or expected of you.
In that sense this novel can serve as a way to teach teenagers to believe in themselves. It should also show to them that people are complex personalities and that names they get called in school do not fully represent who they are. There is much more to a person than outer appearance.
I would have the classroom share their experiences of the novel, discuss important issues they feel are being part of their every day life in school.
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