James HoweAddie on the Inside (The Misfits)

Addie is the only girl in a group of misfits (see The Misfits, also by Howe). Addie doesn't fit in because she is tall, smart and outspoken. In this book she is in seventh grade and finds herself questioning herself and the other girls around her. Why do they seem to act dumber when boys are around? Why do people roll their eyes when she raises her hand in class? Why does her boyfriend seem to get annoyed when she stands up for things she believes in? I loved, loved, loved this book! Having read The Misfits, which I also loved, I was actually hoping that there would be more of a gay theme to this one (even though Joe also has his own book). Gay issues are addressed but since this is Addie's story that was not the main theme. But I was very happily surprised to find that this book is a strong feminist piece instead. It is written in free verse which I usually hate because the kids hate it, but I still loved the book. That's how good it is!

This book is the third of the series about The Misfits---middle school kids (boys and girls) who consider themselves to be on the outside of life. Addie, a leader of the misfits, is smart, ambitious, and seems a bit too mature for the rest of the crowd. This novel is a good read for an adult to discover that middle school isn't the idyllic world you might remember from 20-30 years ago. As a teacher, I gained insight into the world of my students.

This book. Highly recommended. The structure and writing method is different than your usual James Howe, and I think that's a benefit. Nobody's complaining about his writing style, but this book about a bodacious girl, newfound and renewed friendships, heartbreak, and 7th grade is truly enjoyable, and better than totally Joe.

Cheaper then in stores. Great if you read the Misfits.

OK

I bought this for my library after I got a good response from students who read The Misfits and Totally Joe. It is in prose form so I wasn't sure they would like it but they do.

Middle school hormones are hard to capture, but Howe has done it perfectly as he tells Addie's story, as she embarks on the beautifully terrifying path to figure out who she is and who she wants to be.

I would recommend this for 5th to 7th graders as a fun book that is interesting to kids as a real possibility for 6th and 7th graders