The Misfits by James Howe

This is a novel written for upper elementary-junior high aged readers. This novel tells the story of a group of seventh graders who decide to form their own political party, the Freedom Party, and run for student council in their middle school's elections. The story is told through the eyes of Bobby, an overweight and frequently teased yet highly intelligent 12 year old. He and his friends, who are all social outcasts in one way or another, decide to run for student council because of their lack of representation in the two existing parties (Democrats and Republicans). They end up changing their name to the No-Name Party in order to accommodate a rule stating that in order to create a third party the party must prove that they have an agenda not represented in the other party's platforms.
This is a very well written book that should be read by all late-elementary students. The themes covered in the book- discrimination, coming of age, oppression, teasing, etc. are well developed and unfold in a suspenseful and clever way. Humor is used effectively in this book, making me laugh out loud many times throughout the story. The events in the book are meaningful without being overly sentimental or unrealistic. For example, even though Bobby pours his heart out in front of the whole school in an epic election speech and everyone loves, the No-Name Party does not win the election.
This book is considered controversial by some mostly because one of the main characters, Joe, is gay and the book contains themes about discrimination based on sexual orientation. I think the book confronting this theme makes it even more important for students to read. This kind of discrimination is probably the strongest and most apparent in junior high school, and reading this book may help students better understand and even relate to people who are different from them and help reduce bigotry.