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51st out of 374 books
—
1,076 voters
Totally Joe (The Misfits #2)
by
James Howe
"Everybody says you and Colin were kissing."
"What? That's ridiculous!"
"For heaven's sake, Joe, if you and Colin want to kiss, you have every right to."
"We did not kiss," I told her.
Addie shrugged. "Whatever."
What was it with my friends?
From the creator of The Misfits, the book that inspired NATIONAL NO NAME-CALLING WEEK, comes the story of Joe Bunch....
"What? That's ridiculous!"
"For heaven's sake, Joe, if you and Colin want to kiss, you have every right to."
"We did not kiss," I told her.
Addie shrugged. "Whatever."
What was it with my friends?
From the creator of The Misfits, the book that inspired NATIONAL NO NAME-CALLING WEEK, comes the story of Joe Bunch....
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
April 24th 2007
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(first published September 27th 2005)
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6th out of 66 books
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32 voters
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How this book makes me feel:
INTRODUCTION
I can not describe in words. I just cannot. I hold so much distaste and venom for this book that I will dissect the following conversation printed on the book jacket to, indeed, show you just one reason why I hate Joe.
"Everybody says you and Colin were kissing."
"What? That's ridiculous!"
"For heaven's sake, Joe, if you and Colin want to kiss, you have every right to."
"We did not kiss," I told her.
Addie shrugged. "Whatever."
What was it with my friends?
Addie,...more
INTRODUCTION
I can not describe in words. I just cannot. I hold so much distaste and venom for this book that I will dissect the following conversation printed on the book jacket to, indeed, show you just one reason why I hate Joe.
"Everybody says you and Colin were kissing."
"What? That's ridiculous!"
"For heaven's sake, Joe, if you and Colin want to kiss, you have every right to."
"We did not kiss," I told her.
Addie shrugged. "Whatever."
What was it with my friends?
Addie,...more
I work with middle schoolers, and every now and then I dabble a bit in adolescent literature. I have to say, I'm frequently disturbed by what I find in the genre. There are a lot of mass marketed young adult books filled with pain and angst. There are a lot of books about drug use, alcohol, abuse, pregnancy, STDs, and all of that crap that supposedly comes along with being a teenager.
I sort of understand why young adult lit can be so yucky and diactic much of the time. After all, you can't ignor...more
I sort of understand why young adult lit can be so yucky and diactic much of the time. After all, you can't ignor...more
Joe is a quirky, very gay preteen boy at a small high school in upstate New York. He's been given an assignment from his English teacher to write an "alpha-biography" detailing his life from A-Z. Each chapter, written over the course of school year follows Joe in his process of coming out to his family, falling in love, breaking up, and standing up for himself. I really identified with him, though at times it reminded me of my own uncomfortable life growing up in small town Ohio and not feeling...more
This book is awesome! And I found it entirely by accident. I picked up a bunch of new books in my library, and recognizing the author as the "Bunnicula" author, grabbed this one. This book is VERY different, and deals with a much-needed, though sensitive, topic. Joe is in 7th grade and his teacher has assigned a year-long writing project -- an alphabiography. For each letter of the alpabet, Joe has to write about himself. Early in the alphabet, we learn that when Joe was little, he preferred Bar...more
This book is a multicultural children’s story that discusses the life of a middle school boy, Joe, who is gay. I loved the title page of this book because it catches the reader’s attention and is so significant to the story. The book is written as a alphabiography, or like a journal that goes through each letter where he has to write about something in his life, ending each letter with a life lesson. I thought that this was such a creative and interesting way to tell his story. It made the book...more
I had quite a bit of fun with this one. It's cute and endearing without running into sappy and keeps moving along with a contagious excitement. The only things I can think to really complain of are the convenience of the alpha-biography form that is a sort of thin shell for a mostly chronological narrative (what kid actually starts a year long assignment in October?) and the lack of citations in the xylophone chapter. Really. I'm that kind of insane teacher that I would expect some type of citat...more
Joe's assignment is to write an alphabiography-- each chapter begins with the letter of the alphabet and in his biography, Joe describes his recent past, present, and near future of coming out. Although Joe is young, thirteen, the first-person narration really doesn't give it away unless he specifically refers to his birthday. Joe is dealing with the requisite popular boy who wants to be his boyfriend, but only when it's behind closed doors because he isn't confident. Joe realizes he's got a gre...more
James Howe's writing style here is very light and funny. The books structure as a fictional "alphabiography", a supposed assignment for 6th grade to write abouthimself from a to z over the school year. 12-year-old Joe has been called names all his life, and hangs out with other kids outside the popular crowd. It is obvious from early in the book that Joe is already self-identified as gay. For a few weeks, he has a boyfriend who is not yet willing to be recognized as gay. By the end of the book,...more
Quick (read it in four hours quick), fun, and has a big heart.
Though Totally Joe suffered from some underdeveloped characters, other had some surprising depth. Joe was extremely stereotypical, and I felt it went a little overboard with the flamboyant gay teen, but after reading an interview with the author I understood what he was trying to do. Let's take the most stereotyped character, the one everyone knows about, and stick you in their head.
Yes, Joe likes "girly" things. He likes clothes, co...more
Though Totally Joe suffered from some underdeveloped characters, other had some surprising depth. Joe was extremely stereotypical, and I felt it went a little overboard with the flamboyant gay teen, but after reading an interview with the author I understood what he was trying to do. Let's take the most stereotyped character, the one everyone knows about, and stick you in their head.
Yes, Joe likes "girly" things. He likes clothes, co...more
This book is about a thirteen year old gay teenager named Joe who was an outcast in his school. He falls in love with the popular guy named Colin. He soon realizes that Colin was also gay! and that he also liked Joe. They soon went out. Since Colin didn't want people to know that he was gay, their relationship was kept secret.
Colin cares about what people think about him in school. His popularity was very meaningful to him, but at the end, he figures that he should be himself. And that it is ok...more
Colin cares about what people think about him in school. His popularity was very meaningful to him, but at the end, he figures that he should be himself. And that it is ok...more
Natalie Bell
810
Reading Response
Totally Joe, by James Howe
I recently started reading 'Totally Joe'. I haven't gotten very far into the book, but so far, I like James Howe's writing style.
So this book is about this gay teenager and his life. It's kind of like a diary. He talks about all the shit that goes on, his crush, teasing, dating, friends. The main character is very bold... non-conforming... uninterested in what other people think of him. He's not the stereotypical stupid rebel teen. He's s...more
810
Reading Response
Totally Joe, by James Howe
I recently started reading 'Totally Joe'. I haven't gotten very far into the book, but so far, I like James Howe's writing style.
So this book is about this gay teenager and his life. It's kind of like a diary. He talks about all the shit that goes on, his crush, teasing, dating, friends. The main character is very bold... non-conforming... uninterested in what other people think of him. He's not the stereotypical stupid rebel teen. He's s...more
I have become a big fan of Joe Bunch, the main character of this delightfully insightful, introspective, and funny book. The book is written as a middle school autobiography assignment, which allows you to not only read about Joe's life, but gives you some real insight into how he thinks about things. Joe is one of those rare characters who seems to have never agonized over who he was or how he could fit in at school. He acknowledges that, like almost everyone, he would like to be liked, but he...more
The plot is simple: 12 (going on 13) year old Joe Bunch is given the assignment to write his "alphabiography:" the story of his life told in chapters that start with "A is for ..." and end of course with "Z is for...". Joe realizes that if he's as honest as his teacher asked, the notebook could be serious ammunition for the school bullies. But the Bullies pick on him and his friends anyway, so he decides to take the chance and be honest -- especially once he gets to the letter "C" and realizes i...more
This completes my reading of the three companion books (The Misfits and Addie on the Inside being the other two). Having completed all three, this is my favorite of the set. All three books can be read without having read the others, but I would suggest the reading The Misfits first. After that, it probably doesn't matter, but chronologically, Totally Joe would be next.
Joe is assigned to write an alphabiography for his seventh grade English class, and that is what makes up the book. Each chapter...more
Joe is assigned to write an alphabiography for his seventh grade English class, and that is what makes up the book. Each chapter...more
I learned a lot of things from the book Totally Joe by James Howe. I gave me a look on how a middle school boy can identify himself and find out who he is. It taught me that even if other people didn't accept him, he would not change who he actually is. I also liked how his friends and family were with him and by his side the whole time, and sometimes you just have to trust you family because they will love you for who you are. Even though it may have took him a while to find out who he is and...more
The plot in this book is that Joe is a outcast but he has his own clique of friends. But when he met Colin he looked for him and when he found Colin. They became really good friends but Colin was in another clique(the Jocks). So the Jocks they to stop there friendship by teasing them and making fun of them.
I can connect to this book becuase when Joe was explain his friendship with his long time friends. And how there always there for him and hes always there for her. And I can connect to this...more
I can connect to this book becuase when Joe was explain his friendship with his long time friends. And how there always there for him and hes always there for her. And I can connect to this...more
This is a marvelous book for middle graders, GLBT or not. It was colorful, candid, realistic, and had the overall message of "just be yourself". I'll be honest, I thought Joe was incredibly annoying at times. He was obsessed with himself and somewhat hypocritical in how he thought his friends should treat him versus how he treated them. Nonetheless, he was charming because he meant well and I had to root for him anyway.
I loved the "life lessons" at the end of his chapters, and how he was surpri...more
I loved the "life lessons" at the end of his chapters, and how he was surpri...more
I stumbled across this book at the library and, after I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. Read the last half in almost 1 sitting (had to take a small break).
If it's not obvious already, I loved this book.
The character writes his mind, and it comes across as incredibly honest. He doesn't censor his thoughts, though he does comment several times to his teacher (who had given his class an assignment to write an alphabiobraphy) to not share anything he is writing. Each chapter i...more
If it's not obvious already, I loved this book.
The character writes his mind, and it comes across as incredibly honest. He doesn't censor his thoughts, though he does comment several times to his teacher (who had given his class an assignment to write an alphabiobraphy) to not share anything he is writing. Each chapter i...more
i think Totally Joe is a great book. The way James Howe created this character (Joe) and the characteristics he place into Joe, made Joe seem so real.
I think this book is a "must read", especially for young teens that are uncertain, or who are afraid to come out of the closet. Making the character Colin, brought a great concept to the story. I think having Colin in the story as a popular, gay 13 year old who is afraid to come out, because he's afraid he'll lose his popularity, makes the reader...more
I think this book is a "must read", especially for young teens that are uncertain, or who are afraid to come out of the closet. Making the character Colin, brought a great concept to the story. I think having Colin in the story as a popular, gay 13 year old who is afraid to come out, because he's afraid he'll lose his popularity, makes the reader...more
this book is about a gay kid joe and he is a weird child. he plays with dolls a.k.a barbies and he enjoys it and he has a big crush on some high school popular boy named colin and he likes joe to but joe doesnt know that. after a party they both hook up and begin to date but everyone makes fun of them because they feel weird that a no body is going out with colin the joc. after some time a rumor goes around that them 2 were kissing but it was not true. they were bugging out and getting really an...more
Totally Joe is a novel written in the form of an "alphabiography"- an assignment that Joe has gotten from his English teacher. It follows Joe's middle school life from October-March and his struggles and experiences as a gay teenager. From his first boyfriend and dealing with the decision to hide it or not at school, to the bullies he has to deal with day to day.
I absolutely adored this book. From the first letter to his teacher, I loved how James Howe wrote from Joe's perspective. It is a reall...more
I absolutely adored this book. From the first letter to his teacher, I loved how James Howe wrote from Joe's perspective. It is a reall...more
What happens when you find a secret about yourself and are not sure how people will take it? Why can’t everyone accept you for who you are?
Totally Joe, by James Howes . Is a funny and intresting book. It is about a 7th grade kid named Joe Bunch (who hates his name because it is too boring) who is not afraid to be himself and he is also gay. He has 4 friends and his aunt pam who he can talk to and they understand him. Kevin (school bully) excpecilly targets Joe and tries to make fun of him as mu...more
Totally Joe, by James Howes . Is a funny and intresting book. It is about a 7th grade kid named Joe Bunch (who hates his name because it is too boring) who is not afraid to be himself and he is also gay. He has 4 friends and his aunt pam who he can talk to and they understand him. Kevin (school bully) excpecilly targets Joe and tries to make fun of him as mu...more
Joe Bunch's 8th grade English teacher has given his students an assignment to write an "alphabiography" over the course of the school year. With each letter of the alphabet representing a different chapter, Totally Joe tells the story of a year in the life of a gay adolescent boy. Joe falls in love, has his heart broken, comes out to his family, and finds love and support among his friends and family. Howe does such a wonderful job of writing in the voice of a 13-year old boy that the reader can...more
This book is about a boy named Joe. He likes guys and is afraid to admit it at first. He has a huge crush on the popular Colin and is extremely happy when he finds out that Colin likes him too. Joe wants to be like the other boys, tough and rough but he realizes that it is just not him. Rumors go around about him and Colin and Joe tries not to worry about them.
I can connect Joe to many people in the world who like the same gender. He seems to be embarrased about being gay when he really should...more
I can connect Joe to many people in the world who like the same gender. He seems to be embarrased about being gay when he really should...more
Jun 02, 2012
Aleks Beygel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone!
Recommended to Aleks by:
Ms. Benoit
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
My book club raised the question that our title character might be overly stereotyped, and I welcome insight from others who have read this. Personally, I think that part of the point of the book is that Joe is trying to be himself. One other character does sort of accuse him of being a stereotype, so I think that Howe acknowledges this.
Mostly, I think the point is that there are lots of books for athletes, lots of books for kids with divorced parents, lots of books for nerds, lots of books for...more
Mostly, I think the point is that there are lots of books for athletes, lots of books for kids with divorced parents, lots of books for nerds, lots of books for...more
Joe Bunch is 12-year-old boy who is totally comfortable in his not-so-boyish skin. Joe’s teacher has assigned the seventh grade the task of writing an "alpha-biography"; a personal biography in which the students need to write about themselves starting with the letter “A” and ending with “Z.” As Joe writes of his life, his friends and his family we see a young man who faces obstacles with an uncanny resiliency.
The tale of Joe seems somewhat contrived, but it is still fun to read. Joe certainly s...more
The tale of Joe seems somewhat contrived, but it is still fun to read. Joe certainly s...more
Joe is assigned to write a biography in alphabetical order. As he does, he reveals what life is like for an openly gay twelve year old boy. Joe gets his first boyfriend, but is crushed when he breaks up with him. Joe discovers his family and friends are important, and that there is no equal to being yourselves.
Peter
Peter
My review of this book is that I gave it a 4 stars. While reading this book, I have learned a lot.When I started this book I was afraid of gay people. I thought that gay people shouldn't be allowed in society.But as I have read on, I learned that except of Joe being gay, he's completely normal. He has a life and he's just a human like all of us. Gay people should be allowed in society. Sure boys should like girls and vice versa, but who cares! They should not be treated differently. On Joe's ca...more
I think that Totally Joe was an ok book. It's a story about a kid in middle school named Joe and he is homo. This book has a lot of twists and turns and it's really unpredictable(sometimes it is predictable). This book is kind of like Joe's diary but it's mandatory(the book is actually an alphabiography). Joe realizes a lot of things while he was writing this but, in the beginning he thought that it gives bullies more ammunition to pick on him but he realizes he learned more about himself. The b...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do you think that this was a really good project to assign? | 8 | 41 | Aug 19, 2012 02:32pm |
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pi...more
More about James Howe...
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pi...more
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“Life is short and there will always be dirty dishes, so let's dance.”
—
46 people liked it
“I hated that the soldier doll had my name. I mean, please. I didn't play with him much. He was another Christmas present from my clueless grandparents. One time when they were visiting, my grandpa asked me if G.I. Joe had been in any wars lately. I said, "No, but he and Ken got married last week." Every Christmas since then, my grandparents have sent me a check.”
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35 people liked it
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Jun 15, 2012 10:29am
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