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The Misfits #2
Totally Joe
Meet Joe Bunch. Lovable misfit and celebrity wannabe from Paintbrush Falls, New York. Like his longtime best friends Addie, Skeezie, and Bobby, Joe's been called names all his life. So when he's given the assignment to write his alphabiography -- the story of his life from A to Z -- Joe has his doubts. This whole thing could be serious ammunition for bullying if it falls into the wrong hands.
But Joe discovers there's more to the assignment -- and his life -- than meets the eye. Especially when he gets to the letter C, which stands for Colin Briggs, the coolest guy in the seventh grade (seriously) -- and Joe's secret boyfriend.
By the time Joe gets to the letter Z, he's pretty much bared his soul about everything. And Joe's okay with that because he likes who he is. He's Totally Joe, and that's the best thing for him to be.
Here is an exuberant, funny, totally original story of one boy's coming out -- and coming-of-age.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2005
83 people are currently reading
3589 people want to read
About the author
James Howe
218 books461 followersLibrarian 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 Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
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 Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 415 reviews
September 14, 2007
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 ignore these issues when you write for teenagers- they're going through a lot of this stuff. And yet, in order to sell young adult books about heavy issues, they have to, you know, send a message.
But they don't have to be depressing. And that's what is so totally wonderful about Totally Joe. It's about a kid, Joe, who is twelve or thirteen years old (You'll have to excuse me for forgetting details- I read this awhile ago). And he's gay.
Now normally the phrase "He's gay," when applied to a kid in a young adult novel, would pretty much be a death sentence. The poor protagonist would be depressed and suicidal. He would be ashamed and fucked up, and probably hated by his best friends and abandoned by his family and in need of psychotherapy and so forth. Reading that, any closeted gay middle-schooler is probably going to have a panic attack and feel even worse about themselves.
But Joe isn't like that. Instead, he's this delightfully fun kid that comes across as perfectly real and genuine, who also happens to have a bunch of delightfully awkward and dorky friends, that are also real. And he's gay, but he doesn't beat himself up about it. Rather, he thinks that's OK, and his hippie-ish family thinks it's OK. And I really think that we want gay adolescents to grow up without too much undue pain and misery, we ought to have them read more books like this one.
I sort of understand why young adult lit can be so yucky and diactic much of the time. After all, you can't ignore these issues when you write for teenagers- they're going through a lot of this stuff. And yet, in order to sell young adult books about heavy issues, they have to, you know, send a message.
But they don't have to be depressing. And that's what is so totally wonderful about Totally Joe. It's about a kid, Joe, who is twelve or thirteen years old (You'll have to excuse me for forgetting details- I read this awhile ago). And he's gay.
Now normally the phrase "He's gay," when applied to a kid in a young adult novel, would pretty much be a death sentence. The poor protagonist would be depressed and suicidal. He would be ashamed and fucked up, and probably hated by his best friends and abandoned by his family and in need of psychotherapy and so forth. Reading that, any closeted gay middle-schooler is probably going to have a panic attack and feel even worse about themselves.
But Joe isn't like that. Instead, he's this delightfully fun kid that comes across as perfectly real and genuine, who also happens to have a bunch of delightfully awkward and dorky friends, that are also real. And he's gay, but he doesn't beat himself up about it. Rather, he thinks that's OK, and his hippie-ish family thinks it's OK. And I really think that we want gay adolescents to grow up without too much undue pain and misery, we ought to have them read more books like this one.
November 12, 2011
How this book makes me feel:
[image error]
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, not only has been his best friend since they were, what little kids, and yes, unless she's a moron, knows that he likes Colin. Also? Why say "what was it with my friends"? You are gay. You are flaming. You expect them not to notice and then get annoyed when they do? I know it seems petty, but ooooh this is just the tip of the iceberg for Joe.
---
STEREOTYPE HAVEN
(If you can't recognize him, this is actually Kurt Hummel dressing up as a....well, he's pretending to be a....wearing the costume of....actually, no, I don't know what the hell he think's he's doing this time. Nevermind.)
The two biggest camp gay people I could think of. Bruno Mars, and yes Glee Fans, Kurt I-Am-A-Gay Hummel. I know adding his middle name was mean, but that is my point. THIS IS ALL THESE CHARACTERS ARE. They both stereotypical gay males. Feminine, (haven't seen Bruno yet but I've heard) high-maintenance, annoying as Fuck (yes, capital), and finally? OVER. FRICKEN. DONE.
If I see or even HEAR of one more feminine gay dude in ONE MORE GOSHDARNED BOOK, I WILL SCREAM.
Stereotypical Gay Check-List
Played with dolls when little? Yes.
a. Barbie dolls? Yes
b. Hated "manly" things, like GI Joe? Yes.
Talks with "omigods" and "totally"s? YES.
Generally sounds like an annoying as hell eleven year old girl? OMIGOD, yes.
Doesn't "get" football, even though dad and older brother/sister watch it? Yes.
Crush on person described by you as "jock"? Yes!
Said person is closeted gay/not gay at all? Yes.
Do you not respect/don't really like/grown apart from your female friends? Yes.
(If you answered 5 or more of these questions, you COULD be a stereotypical gay person in a YA novel! WATCH OUT!)
I mean, it's not like I can't take a joke. I like stereotype characters when they're played for laughs, lampshaded, or for God's sake at least pointed out by ONE character! But Joe is not only supposed to be taken seriously, he is our main character and we are supposed to like and actually be interested in him and his annoying existence.
[image error]
----
WHY SHOULD I EVEN CARE?
I don't. Honestly, I couldn't even finish this one. I got something like halfway through before I just had to put it down. Joe was just so annoying, everything was pretty boring, and combined the two were infuriating.
I don't even know what he saw in Collin. It seems like anything jock and hot these moronic characters seem to fall for. Both sexes. It's annoying. Can these people actually have personalities or something remotely likable about them before they're hailed as SOULMATE BOYFRIEND LOVER BOYFRIEND SOULMATE!
---
THE FINAL ACT
Conclusion?
A reader needs incentive to finish or even like a book. This incentive? Decent characters, interesting plot, anything except for nothing. And what did I get from this book? LESS than nothing.
I'm going to have to surprise dropkick some people to get all of this anger out.
I can't even get joy out of surprise dropkicks anymore. :(
----
ADDITION
After scrolling through quotes on the sidebar, I found this gem:
I never thought I could write this much and now that it's coming to an end, I feel sad that I have to stop, sort of the way you feel at the end of a really good book and you know you're going to miss the main character. But in this case, the main character is me! Myself. Joe (formerly JoDan) Bunch.
BWAAHAHAHAHAA OHGOD OHGOD YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME AHAHAHUUAHAAAAAHHAHAHA
....okay, okay I think...I think I'm through *wipes eyes*
Joe, formerly JoDan, Bunch? I find it hard to miss you, or feel sad that I stopped. And this was not a "really good book".
The "subtle" programming failed. Nice try.
[image error]
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, not only has been his best friend since they were, what little kids, and yes, unless she's a moron, knows that he likes Colin. Also? Why say "what was it with my friends"? You are gay. You are flaming. You expect them not to notice and then get annoyed when they do? I know it seems petty, but ooooh this is just the tip of the iceberg for Joe.
---
STEREOTYPE HAVEN
(If you can't recognize him, this is actually Kurt Hummel dressing up as a....well, he's pretending to be a....wearing the costume of....actually, no, I don't know what the hell he think's he's doing this time. Nevermind.)
The two biggest camp gay people I could think of. Bruno Mars, and yes Glee Fans, Kurt I-Am-A-Gay Hummel. I know adding his middle name was mean, but that is my point. THIS IS ALL THESE CHARACTERS ARE. They both stereotypical gay males. Feminine, (haven't seen Bruno yet but I've heard) high-maintenance, annoying as Fuck (yes, capital), and finally? OVER. FRICKEN. DONE.
If I see or even HEAR of one more feminine gay dude in ONE MORE GOSHDARNED BOOK, I WILL SCREAM.
Stereotypical Gay Check-List
Played with dolls when little? Yes.
a. Barbie dolls? Yes
b. Hated "manly" things, like GI Joe? Yes.
Talks with "omigods" and "totally"s? YES.
Generally sounds like an annoying as hell eleven year old girl? OMIGOD, yes.
Doesn't "get" football, even though dad and older brother/sister watch it? Yes.
Crush on person described by you as "jock"? Yes!
Said person is closeted gay/not gay at all? Yes.
Do you not respect/don't really like/grown apart from your female friends? Yes.
(If you answered 5 or more of these questions, you COULD be a stereotypical gay person in a YA novel! WATCH OUT!)
I mean, it's not like I can't take a joke. I like stereotype characters when they're played for laughs, lampshaded, or for God's sake at least pointed out by ONE character! But Joe is not only supposed to be taken seriously, he is our main character and we are supposed to like and actually be interested in him and his annoying existence.
[image error]
----
WHY SHOULD I EVEN CARE?
I don't. Honestly, I couldn't even finish this one. I got something like halfway through before I just had to put it down. Joe was just so annoying, everything was pretty boring, and combined the two were infuriating.
I don't even know what he saw in Collin. It seems like anything jock and hot these moronic characters seem to fall for. Both sexes. It's annoying. Can these people actually have personalities or something remotely likable about them before they're hailed as SOULMATE BOYFRIEND LOVER BOYFRIEND SOULMATE!
---
THE FINAL ACT
Conclusion?
A reader needs incentive to finish or even like a book. This incentive? Decent characters, interesting plot, anything except for nothing. And what did I get from this book? LESS than nothing.
I'm going to have to surprise dropkick some people to get all of this anger out.
I can't even get joy out of surprise dropkicks anymore. :(
----
ADDITION
After scrolling through quotes on the sidebar, I found this gem:
I never thought I could write this much and now that it's coming to an end, I feel sad that I have to stop, sort of the way you feel at the end of a really good book and you know you're going to miss the main character. But in this case, the main character is me! Myself. Joe (formerly JoDan) Bunch.
BWAAHAHAHAHAA OHGOD OHGOD YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME AHAHAHUUAHAAAAAHHAHAHA
....okay, okay I think...I think I'm through *wipes eyes*
Joe, formerly JoDan, Bunch? I find it hard to miss you, or feel sad that I stopped. And this was not a "really good book".
The "subtle" programming failed. Nice try.
September 24, 2008
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 right about my sexual identity. I wish I could have been Joe.
October 18, 2020
I learned about Totally Joe by reading Reading the Rainbow: LGBTQ-Inclusive Literacy Instruction in the Elementary Classroom. Now I’m sad and puzzled how it has never appeared on my radar. While the number gender affirming picture books and YA books continues to steadily grow, I believe there is a still a MAJOR shortage in gender affirming texts with a target audience of kids in grades 3-6. Now that I examine the book closer, I spy a Young Adult sticker spine label. Oooh, I don’t like that. I’ll be discussing with the Youth Services Department at my public library. Most High Schoolers would find it too juvenile. Maybe that’s why the copy I read hardly seems worn, even though it was acquired in 2005.
Because I’m nosey, I had to search the school library catalog for all four school districts within my well-funded county. While I was pleased to find copies in most of the middle schools, I was disappointed to not locate a single copy in an Elementary building.
- Less than 200 pages
- Wide margins, clear large text
- Oversize trim size
- Main character is age 12
- Zero kissing
- Positive message about being yourself
If I had the money, I would offer to buy a copy for every K-4/K-5 building in my area. Hey! That might be a schools foundation grant idea. Stay tuned ...
Totally Joe was the inspiration for No Name Calling Week. Years ago when I was with Indianapolis Public Schools, my school celebrated No Name Calling Week. I’m fairly certain there was no mention of Totally Joe.
Because I’m nosey, I had to search the school library catalog for all four school districts within my well-funded county. While I was pleased to find copies in most of the middle schools, I was disappointed to not locate a single copy in an Elementary building.
- Less than 200 pages
- Wide margins, clear large text
- Oversize trim size
- Main character is age 12
- Zero kissing
- Positive message about being yourself
If I had the money, I would offer to buy a copy for every K-4/K-5 building in my area. Hey! That might be a schools foundation grant idea. Stay tuned ...
Totally Joe was the inspiration for No Name Calling Week. Years ago when I was with Indianapolis Public Schools, my school celebrated No Name Calling Week. I’m fairly certain there was no mention of Totally Joe.
January 15, 2009
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 Barbies to GI Joes, and hated the trucks his grandparents gave him. We soon learn that Joe has always known he's different, and in fact, he knows that he is gay. As he writes in his diary/alphabiography he's always been attracted to guys, loves E.T., thinks Keanu Reeves is hot, and has a crush on another 7th grade boy who likes him back. Joe is not afraid to be "different" but he is picked on and most of his classmates know, at least on some level, that Joe is gay. His boyfriend also knows he's gay, but unlike Joe doesn't have a supportive family to lean on. I like the way the subject is dealt with -- with great sensitivity and honesty. I would love to find a way to teach with this book. I am glad it's available in the library.
May 29, 2019
"There's no such thing as a wasted wish."
—Joe Bunch, Totally Joe, P. 21
"A day can start out ordinary and end up being in the top ten."
—Joe Bunch, Totally Joe, P. 184
I would give this four and a half stars, and for weeks I considered giving it five (I'm still considering it).
This book is somewhat difficult for me to review, as I disagreed with a lot of it personally. Still, I loved this story. It contains exceptionally funny material and empathetically heartbreaking moments that resonated as deep down within me as just about anything I've ever read, regardless of anything that didn't sit quite right. There was a feeling to the overall scope of the book that reminded me of Beverly Cleary's best material, and a depth that made all of Joe's moments feel important to me. Totally. This is truly a masterful work, and I will think on it, and on Joe Bunch, fondly. Always.
"I never thought I could write this much and now that it's coming to an end, I feel sad that I have to stop, sort of the way you feel at the end of a really good book and you know you're going to miss the main character. But in this case, the main character is me! Myself. Joe (formerly JoDan) Bunch. "
—Joe Bunch, Totally Joe, P. 188
—Joe Bunch, Totally Joe, P. 21
"A day can start out ordinary and end up being in the top ten."
—Joe Bunch, Totally Joe, P. 184
I would give this four and a half stars, and for weeks I considered giving it five (I'm still considering it).
This book is somewhat difficult for me to review, as I disagreed with a lot of it personally. Still, I loved this story. It contains exceptionally funny material and empathetically heartbreaking moments that resonated as deep down within me as just about anything I've ever read, regardless of anything that didn't sit quite right. There was a feeling to the overall scope of the book that reminded me of Beverly Cleary's best material, and a depth that made all of Joe's moments feel important to me. Totally. This is truly a masterful work, and I will think on it, and on Joe Bunch, fondly. Always.
"I never thought I could write this much and now that it's coming to an end, I feel sad that I have to stop, sort of the way you feel at the end of a really good book and you know you're going to miss the main character. But in this case, the main character is me! Myself. Joe (formerly JoDan) Bunch. "
—Joe Bunch, Totally Joe, P. 188
December 6, 2009
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 almost forget that an adult wrote the book (I mean that as a compliment to the authenticity of the story, rather than a criticism). Howe's story line and writing style creates a protagonist that tweens can readily relate to.
I loved this book, and I loved the concept of writing an "alphabiography". I would recommend this book to English teachers to read to/with their class and I would encourage teachers to create a similar "alphabiography" writing assignment for their classrooms. I would also recommend this book to any tween who enjoys books about outsiders. It is a definite must have for any teen LGBT collection.
I loved this book, and I loved the concept of writing an "alphabiography". I would recommend this book to English teachers to read to/with their class and I would encourage teachers to create a similar "alphabiography" writing assignment for their classrooms. I would also recommend this book to any tween who enjoys books about outsiders. It is a definite must have for any teen LGBT collection.
July 14, 2018
Say “Hi” Joe
This time around it’s Joe’s turn to tell us all about his Misfit life...all twelve - scratch that - thirteen years of it. When we last left him, he was eyeing Colin. Wonder how that worked out?
Fun read. The format for Joe’s story made the pages turn quickly. 4.0 for dimples.
This time around it’s Joe’s turn to tell us all about his Misfit life...all twelve - scratch that - thirteen years of it. When we last left him, he was eyeing Colin. Wonder how that worked out?
Fun read. The format for Joe’s story made the pages turn quickly. 4.0 for dimples.
October 24, 2020
What an interesting concept - the teacher assignment is for students to write about their life using the alphabet.. a letter for each chapter.. Joe has much to write about.. and to think about and do with his life in school and home... Who knew such a good book about a kid facing his sexual orientation was in existence in 2005 and still resonates with truth today.
March 6, 2012
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 exciting to read and all of the life lessons were either so cute, funny, and/or very meaningful. With the use of an alphabiography, the book has great character build up since some chapters are actually about the characters of the book and it also starts off in the beginning of the school year all the way until the end. The book also does a great job with explaining diversity. There is a boy who is very flamboyant, a boy who is a “closet” homosexual, an interracial couple (white girl and black boy), and a bully. It does a great job to show the different diversity that can be found at a school and is very relatable to all types of people. The only negative comment I would say that with the main character being a flamboyant homosexual, it goes along with the stereotype that a majority of homosexual men are very flamboyant. Overall, I really did love reading this book because it does such a great job at portraying a middle school and trying to figure out how to fit in or in this case, to stand out. I would recommend it to anyone.
November 14, 2008
I loved James Howe's novel THE MISFITS, where a group of middle school outsiders challenges the school's name-calling habit as a student council campaign platform. Until last week, though, I hadn't gotten around to reading the sequel, TOTALLY JOE. This is a lighter look at what it's like to be a gay kid in middle school.
Howe introduces readers to Joe Bunch through his main character's "alphabiography," a series of essays he has to write about his life, with each topic starting with a different letter of the alphabet (26 chapters, including one on the ubiquitous alphabet-book xylophone, for those keeping track). Through the assignment, Joe tells the story of his first sort-of boyfriend, middle school bullies, his creative, supportive Aunt Pam, and his quest to be Totally Joe. It's honest and tough sometimes without losing its fun voice. Howe has provided a particular gift in this novel - a book about being gay that's age-appropriate for someone who's still in middle school and not ready for some of the edgier titles that seem to abound in YA literature.
Howe introduces readers to Joe Bunch through his main character's "alphabiography," a series of essays he has to write about his life, with each topic starting with a different letter of the alphabet (26 chapters, including one on the ubiquitous alphabet-book xylophone, for those keeping track). Through the assignment, Joe tells the story of his first sort-of boyfriend, middle school bullies, his creative, supportive Aunt Pam, and his quest to be Totally Joe. It's honest and tough sometimes without losing its fun voice. Howe has provided a particular gift in this novel - a book about being gay that's age-appropriate for someone who's still in middle school and not ready for some of the edgier titles that seem to abound in YA literature.
April 25, 2012
Howe has written a book of a 12 going on thirteen year old boy, who has always exhibited rather flamboyant gay behavior and has an assignment to write an alphabiography. Just the concept of having a pre-teen write such a thing is outstanding. This assignment leads Joe towards understanding himself, his environment, his family and his friends as he puts down "on paper" what occurs in his life (and yes, X is for Xylophone!). As Joe discovers he can be gay, that he can come out, that he does not have to endure bullying and learns to cope with the negatives in his life, he also discovers things about himself.
I love the touches of humor in this novel. It is easy and fun to read and has much to say.
I highly recommend this novel.
I love the touches of humor in this novel. It is easy and fun to read and has much to say.
I highly recommend this novel.
July 11, 2015
This is a really great teen story about a boy in 7th grade whose teacher gives the class an assignment to "Write about yourself from A-Z....and end every chapter with a life lesson." Joe worries about whether he can really write the truth about himself and his life since so much has happened to him the past few months. But he gives it a try, and the result is a sweet book about a gay thirteen-year-old boy and the friends and foes who are in his life. The life lessons he writes at the end of each chapter are wonderful thoughts for all parents.
July 8, 2017
The Mifits was a great book. This is the sequel and this is so much better. This book was brave, powerful, moving, funny, honest and tender. The subject is being in 5th grade and being gay. It's all told from the perspective of a homework assignment of journaling for a year for each letter of the alphabet. This is 5th grade so the dating that goes on is about hand holding. There isn't even kissing. It's sweet. I was so sad for this book to end. I would love to know more about what happens to Joe in the future. Such a great story!
November 19, 2007
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
September 5, 2015
This book was awesome because it very accurately portrayed the life of a kid in middle school, who is gay, and closeted (well, at least for a little while), and is very relateable. I felt it could have been a bit longer, but I liked the idea of writing the book as an alphabiography.
July 1, 2009
This is my all time fave book!!!!!!!!!!! It has a lot of voice and character. It is also a heart warming story that I personally love!!! READ THIS BOOK!!!
April 27, 2018
I had to read this one, because I loved The Misfits so much. While I did enjoy it, I didn't connect with it in the same way. I'm definitely going to keep reading the books in the series.
January 3, 2013
A great story for middle school age kids who are LGBTQ.
January 15, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! I was looking for books that would appeal for a student of mine with LGBTQ issues. I wish I had this book when I was younger! Comic and poignant at the same time, this book examines gay issues that face young men in a realistic way through the voice of a main character who totally captures the gay experience as a middle school student--if you were supported by your family. Perfect for middle school.
October 23, 2020
This was a very interesting book. It wasn't one of my favorite books.
June 18, 2020
Loved.
May 28, 2017
Jessica Anderson, Response #2
Joe was assigned to create an “alpha biography” by his seventh grade English teacher. He has to connect each letter of the alphabet to his life and then write about it. He realizes that this task might be a little harder than expected. Between dealing with a new crush, bullying at school, and just being a seventh grader; Joe realizes how crazy his life is. Joe uses his alpha biography to express his emotions, when talking about them becomes too hard. With the endless support from his best friends, the Gang of Five, and family he realizes that he can handle anything that comes his way.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The style in which it was written was extremely fun. It put me right inside Joe’s mind and I felt like I was part of the Gang of Five. This book tackles some issues that teens can really relate to, but while doing that it keeps the feeling light. There were two parts of the story that stood out to me, and they definitely weren’t the “important” parts of the story. First, throughout the story, Joe talks about how he can’t connect with his older brother, Jeff. He feels odd about trying to connect with him, and yet then not wanting to because he just doesn’t understand him. Being an only child, I don’t know much about this but I have heard my friends talk about it. I think that it can be hard to have an older sibling to look up too. I think that Joe sets a good example for readers, to just be who you are. Secondly, at one point of the story, the Gang of Five all are in different relationships. Joe is excited about this because he is dating Collin and is happy for everyone because they are happy, but then doesn’t like how things are different. Going through school, friendships change because relationships become part of the mix. Learning how to cope with the changes and still being there for one another is very important. I especially loved Joe’s attitude towards different situations he encounters. He is a very empowered kid, who believes what he believes no matter what. I think that after reading this book, teens could feel empowered to make changes in their lives.
Joe was assigned to create an “alpha biography” by his seventh grade English teacher. He has to connect each letter of the alphabet to his life and then write about it. He realizes that this task might be a little harder than expected. Between dealing with a new crush, bullying at school, and just being a seventh grader; Joe realizes how crazy his life is. Joe uses his alpha biography to express his emotions, when talking about them becomes too hard. With the endless support from his best friends, the Gang of Five, and family he realizes that he can handle anything that comes his way.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The style in which it was written was extremely fun. It put me right inside Joe’s mind and I felt like I was part of the Gang of Five. This book tackles some issues that teens can really relate to, but while doing that it keeps the feeling light. There were two parts of the story that stood out to me, and they definitely weren’t the “important” parts of the story. First, throughout the story, Joe talks about how he can’t connect with his older brother, Jeff. He feels odd about trying to connect with him, and yet then not wanting to because he just doesn’t understand him. Being an only child, I don’t know much about this but I have heard my friends talk about it. I think that it can be hard to have an older sibling to look up too. I think that Joe sets a good example for readers, to just be who you are. Secondly, at one point of the story, the Gang of Five all are in different relationships. Joe is excited about this because he is dating Collin and is happy for everyone because they are happy, but then doesn’t like how things are different. Going through school, friendships change because relationships become part of the mix. Learning how to cope with the changes and still being there for one another is very important. I especially loved Joe’s attitude towards different situations he encounters. He is a very empowered kid, who believes what he believes no matter what. I think that after reading this book, teens could feel empowered to make changes in their lives.
October 30, 2010
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, cooking, nail polish, crossing his legs and waving his hands. But he's also just like anyone else, the only difference is Joe's not afraid to be himself.
I felt like the strong point of the story was the difference between Joe and Colin. Joe, the loud and out gay, Colin, the insecure closet gay. Joe, out spoken and sometimes obnoxious, Colin, Pleasing and polite. Joe, the misfit, Colin the popular jock. They're so different yet both want similar things.
Even though the book has it's heart in the right place I still would like a story with a little more meat on the bones. Things happened a little too easily, conflicts were not quit conflicted enough, so the payoff didn't feel that grand. And props to the Howe, but this book is SO teen. It got a little difficult reading all those exclamation points and ALL CAPPED works after a while.
Still, I think a lot of teens could read Totally Joe and get something good out of it, gay or straight.
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, cooking, nail polish, crossing his legs and waving his hands. But he's also just like anyone else, the only difference is Joe's not afraid to be himself.
I felt like the strong point of the story was the difference between Joe and Colin. Joe, the loud and out gay, Colin, the insecure closet gay. Joe, out spoken and sometimes obnoxious, Colin, Pleasing and polite. Joe, the misfit, Colin the popular jock. They're so different yet both want similar things.
Even though the book has it's heart in the right place I still would like a story with a little more meat on the bones. Things happened a little too easily, conflicts were not quit conflicted enough, so the payoff didn't feel that grand. And props to the Howe, but this book is SO teen. It got a little difficult reading all those exclamation points and ALL CAPPED works after a while.
Still, I think a lot of teens could read Totally Joe and get something good out of it, gay or straight.
January 18, 2011
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 great family who is supportive, including his 28-year old aunt who lives in the apartment above the garage and encourages Joe to be himself and provides a compass. Finally, he admits it to all, with a few humorous conversations between his grandparents, and everyone talks about how he's "totally joe", just always confident about himself and not having to prove anything to anyone.
I enjoyed it, if not for Joe's humorous narration, but also that his parents are alive and non-dysfunctional, he's got a cast of supportive characters behind him, and he has a great best friend Addie who fights (along with Joe's parents) for a GSA.
Side stories include a bully who is kicked out of school (then sent to Catholic school) for name calling (on no-name calling day no less!) who Joe stands up to, friendship with both boys and girls, middle school life, and the fact that Joe references dressing up in girl's clothes and playing Barbies and using an Easy-Bake oven.
I enjoyed it, if not for Joe's humorous narration, but also that his parents are alive and non-dysfunctional, he's got a cast of supportive characters behind him, and he has a great best friend Addie who fights (along with Joe's parents) for a GSA.
Side stories include a bully who is kicked out of school (then sent to Catholic school) for name calling (on no-name calling day no less!) who Joe stands up to, friendship with both boys and girls, middle school life, and the fact that Joe references dressing up in girl's clothes and playing Barbies and using an Easy-Bake oven.
September 12, 2014
Never has a book contained so many stereotypes.
1) The main character has a "special connection" with Cher.
2) MC is obsessed with fashion.
3) First boyfriend is the closeted jock.
4) Best friend is the feminist.
5) Halloween is favorite holiday because it involves dressing up.
6) The (implied) gay bully.
7) Likes dolls.
8) Dresses in drag
9) MC wears nail polish.
10) MC likes stereotypically feminine activities, such as cooking, clothes, etc.
Entire plot follows the stereotypical track of flamboyant main character falls for closeted jock, closeted jock stays in closet, break-up, main character eventually finds new, more appropriate love interest. This completely lacked originality, and I had to start skimming half way through. In my mind, I just kept going, "Holy bleep, if you make the bully gay too, I'm going to commit violence on your person. Oh no, you're just going to heavily imply it, and use it as an insult as well? Yeah, that's not problematic. Aren't you gay, James Howe? How could you commit this atrocity?" It was readable, but overall very frustrating, and reinforces stereotypes even if they aren't necessarily negative. I can understand where the author was coming from (put the reader in the head of the stereotype) but if you do that, you have to eventually help the reader realize that there's no such thing as a stereotypical person, and I'm just angry right now.
1) The main character has a "special connection" with Cher.
2) MC is obsessed with fashion.
3) First boyfriend is the closeted jock.
4) Best friend is the feminist.
5) Halloween is favorite holiday because it involves dressing up.
6) The (implied) gay bully.
7) Likes dolls.
8) Dresses in drag
9) MC wears nail polish.
10) MC likes stereotypically feminine activities, such as cooking, clothes, etc.
Entire plot follows the stereotypical track of flamboyant main character falls for closeted jock, closeted jock stays in closet, break-up, main character eventually finds new, more appropriate love interest. This completely lacked originality, and I had to start skimming half way through. In my mind, I just kept going, "Holy bleep, if you make the bully gay too, I'm going to commit violence on your person. Oh no, you're just going to heavily imply it, and use it as an insult as well? Yeah, that's not problematic. Aren't you gay, James Howe? How could you commit this atrocity?" It was readable, but overall very frustrating, and reinforces stereotypes even if they aren't necessarily negative. I can understand where the author was coming from (put the reader in the head of the stereotype) but if you do that, you have to eventually help the reader realize that there's no such thing as a stereotypical person, and I'm just angry right now.
January 7, 2010
Joe is 12. His teacher has assigned his class an "alphabiography" - each kid has to write about their lives using the 26 letters of the alphabet to inspire each entry.
Joe is gay. His friends and family know it before he does and in the course of his alphabiography he offically realizes this, comes out, and starts to make positive change in his school.
I enjoyed this as a portrayal of a relatively normal gay kid who has a relatively easy experience coming out. In some ways I think we need more stories which show it as a not-so-awful experience. His family and friends are supportive, nobody freaks out. It's just a feel good coming out story. In fact, I would put it in J (the kid's twelve, after all) if it was up to me. Joe is a funny character and his reflections on his life are just a bit fabulous. Nice compare/contrast with Freak Show by James St. James.
Joe is gay. His friends and family know it before he does and in the course of his alphabiography he offically realizes this, comes out, and starts to make positive change in his school.
I enjoyed this as a portrayal of a relatively normal gay kid who has a relatively easy experience coming out. In some ways I think we need more stories which show it as a not-so-awful experience. His family and friends are supportive, nobody freaks out. It's just a feel good coming out story. In fact, I would put it in J (the kid's twelve, after all) if it was up to me. Joe is a funny character and his reflections on his life are just a bit fabulous. Nice compare/contrast with Freak Show by James St. James.
February 23, 2012
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 popular kids--and hardly any books for gay teens, who arguably need it most. While Totally Joe might be accused of dipping into stereotypical characters, I think it's a great way to open the gate for more nuanced gay protagonists in YA literature.
I loved the structure of this book: Joe has to write an "alphabiography" for his English class, and the book is written as though it's his submission. It made me want to write an alphabiography, too! What a fun way to limit and focus memoir writing for kids.
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 popular kids--and hardly any books for gay teens, who arguably need it most. While Totally Joe might be accused of dipping into stereotypical characters, I think it's a great way to open the gate for more nuanced gay protagonists in YA literature.
I loved the structure of this book: Joe has to write an "alphabiography" for his English class, and the book is written as though it's his submission. It made me want to write an alphabiography, too! What a fun way to limit and focus memoir writing for kids.
February 17, 2009
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 angery but they really did not care because if they wanted to kiss they would and they would not care what someone would say.
i cant connect this book to my life because im not gay and i know some kids in my school that are gay but i dont talk to them or hang out with them.
i give this book a 2 because it was not the best book i have read and it was probablly the worst book i have read because i was not that into this book it was really weird.
i cant connect this book to my life because im not gay and i know some kids in my school that are gay but i dont talk to them or hang out with them.
i give this book a 2 because it was not the best book i have read and it was probablly the worst book i have read because i was not that into this book it was really weird.
June 17, 2012
A fun read. A bit too sweet perhaps. It seemed like the author asked himself, "How can I improve somebody's self-esteem today? I'll write a book!" But there are times in life when a boost in confidence is just what is needed. I can easily picture a kid needing the feel-good "be yourself" message this book offers. Some people have complained about the stereotypical portrayal of a gay kid in the character of Joe, but I have known kids just like him. They need to read about someone like them. What they do not need is "It's OK to be gay, just as long as you aren't too swishy." Yes: swishy, too-fem gay guys can drive a person nuts, but the alienation which comes from being told that they are not suitable for depiction in a novel is sure to make things worse, not better.
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