Freakshow

James, J. S. (2008). Freak show. New York, NY: Speak. When Billy relocates to his father’s home in the swamps of Florida, he becomes the talk of Eisenhower Academy as a flamboyant drag queen. Being gay and proud of it causes him to be harassed, but it doesn’t stop him from what every other teenager wants in high school; acceptance from their peers. Through his fabulousness, Billy is able to find love and over come the negativity within his community.

This hilarious and captivating story provides the readers with a rollercoaster of events filled with emotion. High school students will enjoy the story told by the main character, Billy. Although the setting is familiar with teenagers in high school, the reader will “walk the walk” with Billy in his small town filled with Bible Belles and Football legends. Freak Show provides insight on other subgroups within society. This book could offer a lesson on acceptance and tolerance of differences among others. A strength that many may find in this book is loving and accepting who you are and who your peers are. With unfortunate events throughout the book, such as assault on a couple of occasions, Billy overcomes in the end when things finally fall into place for him and look up for the better.

This book is intended for young adults, 9th grade and up. Events of violence and sexual identify are within the text as Billy experience hatred from others within his school adn community. Freakshow is a realistic fiction with romanitc friendships, but turn into dark fiction due to the violence Billy experiences.