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. 

Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. Everyday was torment for Melinda when dealing with peers at school. Constantly called names and alone, Melinda lost her voice, unable to speak about that night she called the police. Not until the end does Melida find her voice through her artwork and she begins to reach out to others in hopes someone would here her speak.

The content of sexual abuse, harassment and rape are context that should be considered for students of age 12 or older, depending on the maturity of the individual. The story of Speak is told through the protagonist’s point of view as she describes her harassment throughout her freshman year of high school.  Although the story is tragic in the context and events towards the end, Melinda is able to overcome and speak up for herself.

This book could be used to help adolescents understand that judgment of others is a lack of understanding certain individuals. By judging someone or something before knowing what really happened is setting they up for failure and heartache in the end.