Addie on the Inside by James Howe

Grades 6 and up--

Intended audience: Middle school girls, GLBT tweens.

Audience to whom it will appeal: I think that much of this text could be relatable to boys as well as girls, though the initial interest would be difficult to attain given the cover and title. In order to promote this book to a wider audience, I would post some of the engaging, edgy poems from the book up in the Media Center. I think this book would also be an excellent and enjoyable read for parents or teachers of tweens or teens.

Strengths: Addie on the Inside realistically portrays the inner thoughts and emotions of tweens, both male and female. Addie calls middle school “purgatory…when so many things that never mattered before and will never matter again, matter.” Addie is outspoken, yet self-conscious, happy to be different, but wants badly to fit in; just like most of the middle schoolers I know. The anti-bullying sentiment sends a positive message and gives those wanting to speak up some literary courage. The author also incorporates a fair amount of homages to other YA novels and pop culture references, both of which give the opportunity to make connections outside of the text.

Weaknesses: For those who aren’t fans of poetry, the style of the novel may be a turn-off, although it alternates between free verse and rhyme-scheme poetry. Although I think the thinking, emotions, and experiences of Addie seem to be relatable to both boys and girls, the female voice of the narrator might be less appealing to male readers. The pop culture references are great, but they might be too specific to be accessible to readers in the next few years.

Special considerations: This novel is a companion to an anti-bullying series including The Misfits and Totally Joe that focuses on homophobia and GLBT issues. The books also cite and are supported by GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network). This would be a great book to use with a Gay-Straight Alliance in preparation for the National Day of Silence.

VERDICT: This is a book I would stock multiple copies of and would promote a large or small group reading of it for an anti-bullying group,GSA or even teacher PLC. This is a true middle school book and should grace the shelves of any and all middle school libraries.