Bobby and his friends are self-proclaimed misfits; they know they are unpopular, and they are often made fun of and called mean names because they are different. When Addie refuses to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, drawing attention to herself in class, a student puts a whoopee cushion on her chair, and everyone laughs. One morning, Joe arrives at school to find a homophobic slur written on his locker. Despite the bullying they endure, Bobby explains early on, “Other people may call us names or think we’re weird or whatever, but that does not mean we believe them. We may be misfits, but we’re okay” (14). Bobby and his friends are able to support one another, and that helps them endure the bullying.

Nevertheless, as the novel progresses, Bobby realizes just how harmful bullying and name-calling can be. After being called “Blubber,” he observes, “It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been called names, it still hurts—and it still always comes as such a surprise that I never know how to respond. Or maybe I’m afraid” (131). Even though Bobby would like to think he can just ignore the name-calling, those words are hurtful. Later,

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