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.

Author: James Howe
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 10/01/2005
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.78lbs
Size: 8.44h x 6.84w x 0.81d
ISBN: 9780689839573
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.1
Point Value: 5
Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus
Quiz #/Name: 101558 / Totally Joe


Award: Lambda Literary Awards - Nominee
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 08/01/2005 pg. 2014
Kliatt 09/01/2005 pg. 9
Kirkus Review - Children 10/01/2005 pg. 1080
School Library Journal 11/01/2005 pg. 137
Publishers Weekly 10/03/2005 pg. 71
Kirkus Best Children's Books 12/01/2005 pg. 11
Voice of Youth Advocates 12/01/2005 pg. 400 - Recommended - Readable
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2006 pg. 233
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/01/2006 pg. 28
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2006 pg. 75 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

About the Author
James Howe is the author of more than ninety books for young readers. Bunnicula, coauthored by his late wife Deborah and published in 1979, is considered a modern classic of children's literature. The author has written six highly popular sequels, along with the spinoff series Tales from the House of Bunnicula and Bunnicula and Friends. Among his other books are picture books such as Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores and beginning reader series that include the Pinky and Rex and Houndsley and Catina books. He has also written for older readers. The Misfits, published in 2001, inspired the nationwide antibullying initiative No Name-Calling Week, as well as three sequels, Totally Joe, Addie on the Inside, and Also Known as Elvis. A common theme in James Howe's books from preschool through teens is the acceptance of difference and being true to oneself. Visit him online at JamesHowe.com.