Freak Show

James, J. S. (2007). Freak show. New York, NY: Dutton.

Freak Show is a humorous book that deals with serious issues that young teens in the LGBT community face. The main character is Billy Bloom, a seventeen-year-old who also happens to be a drag queen. He has just started at a new school after moving to live with his dad in Florida. Of course, the school he goes to is very conservative and doesn't quite know how to take Billy. He is a character for sure, full of drama and flamboyance and overall quite proud of who he is. Unfortunately, he still faces a lot of bullying and even a physical assault that sends him into a coma. He does manage to make one good friend, Flip Kelly, and decides to bravely run for homecoming queen as a way to stand up for other outcasts that don't fit a certain mold of "normal teen."

This is an important book to read to try and understand the bullying, violence, and rejection faced by teens who are LGBT. The way this book uses humor to point out heartbreaking issues helps the reader relate to Billy and understand he is being himself and not compromising for anyone.

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