The Misfits by James Howe is a chapter book that I have read previously in my 5th grade class; however, I am so happy I got the opportunity to read it again. The first time I was read this book I did not truly listen to the words or fully understand what was going on. After reading the first part of the book again, I began to get a feel for what I would be taking out of the book. One major idea that has crossed my mind as I read the book was that it is important to accept people for who they are. Everybody is going to have different physical looks, thoughts, preferences, etc., and that is just one aspect that makes that person special. A few people who I believe should be a role model of acceptance are children's parents. In the story so far Joe's parents are overly accepting of who he is. They do not question why he played dress up with his mom's clothes, or why he played with dolls, or why he paints his pinky finger unique colors. Joe knows they probably assume he is gay, but do not pressure him to come out, nor pressure him to be more "manly". Unconditional acceptance from parents is important and especially when a child is in middle school. I remember being in middle school and the horrible feelings that go along with it. When I was in 6th grade I remember being unusually tall for my age. Since boys at this age are very immature, they would always call me names that would hurt my feelings. At times I felt like I was an outsider, and just wished to be average height like everyone else. Though I would initially react by being unhappy with myself, I was lucky to have parents that encouraged me to be happy with who I was. My parents reassured me that it is good to be different, and that everyone has some quality about them that is different, it just was not as apparent as my height. At times it was hard to hear what my parents were saying because the ridiculing did not go away, but it felt good to know that I had people in my life that love me. Moreover, it makes me happy to see that the characters in the book have accepting parents because when it comes down to it, that is the opinion that usually matters the most.
Middle school can be such a hard age and I think your connections to the book are really interesting. I love that you connect with your parents because in the end family is always most important!
ReplyDeleteYour connections to the book were well stated! Your post reminded me of grade school and middle school memories when all I wanted was to be the same height as everyone else. I was always the tallest or second tallest person in my class and it made me feel out of place. I was also lucky to have parents that encouraged me to be happy with who I was.
ReplyDeletei think this is such a different perspective for me. i never endured teasing for my height, but i wonder about whether or not i would have even told my parents if i had. i think that's one of the interesting things about howe's book. he's writing as a parent from the POV of a pre-teen. we see how much bobby holds back from his dad and we see how joe's parents treat him. but i have to disagree with you on one point, i don't think joe's parents are "overly accepting". I think overly accepting would be like...idk, joe violently killed 12 people but he's still mama's little "pookie bear", y'know? i think they just accept and love him for who he is just like bobby's dad does for him. and in the end, that does send the very strong message that family and, more specifically parents, are (or should be) a big part of adolescent life.
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