Losers, Inc.

Losers, Inc. by Claudia Mills is a book I truly love because it gets it right! Who hasn't felt like a loser even when others would argue that you are not. Who hasn't fallen for a person or a cause so fully that they would go out of their way to improve themselves for the idea or dream. And who hasn't been knocked to the ground when their intentions are criticized or a change of heart is not widely believed or accepted? Brain, jock, nerd, tomboy, popular, untouchable, goody-goody - the list continues - all struggle to find their place and be accepted.

Ethan has an older brother who is perfect. He gets straight A's AND stars on the sports field. When he cannot compete, and everyone compares them anyway, Ethan decides to aspire to be the ultimate loser. His best friend, Julius, a self-described loser, invites Ethan to join the club and they call themselves Losers, Inc. The club will stick together and read the shortest books possible for their book reports. The club will work as a team to come up with the Science Fair Project least likely to succeed. They will excel in mediocrity and hence become the best at Something. Anything.

Neither boy saw her coming - Grace, student teacher. She is beautiful beyond words and smart and wise and kind and gentle and ... And both boys are in love. Julius sticks to the club rules. Ethan decides to set himself apart by striving to be better than ever before! He picks the longest book he has ever read for his next book report and even looks forward to presenting it. He comes up with a science project that could actually WIN the science fair. He aims to be perfect and neat and organized and smart and ... well anything that will attract the attention of the new student teacher.

In the process of improvement, Ethan gains some popularity, but also attracts the attention of the least popular girl in school. UGH! Lizzie Archer is different. Way different. She writes poetry. She's trying to form a science project around her love of poetry, but cannot figure out how to test her ideas. When the student teacher, Ms. Gunderson, asks for suggestions from the class, the tendency is for the class to mock her. But Ethan offers a sincere as well as workable solution to Lizzie's problem. He does this to call Ms. Gunderson's attention to himself. But it backfires.

In Ethan's pursuit of Ms. Gunderson's affection, he manages to alienate his best friend. But that is not the worst thing he does. He also hurts Lizzie in an attempt to distance himself from her weirdness and admiration. There is nothing worse than putting others down in an effort to boost yourself up. Fortunately, Ethan has more heart than attitude and he is able to recognize his mistake and grow from it.

Last night, my daughters' dance instructor was so excited to share that this year's senior class is/was marvelous. The girls, more importantly, were sweet (translated "nice"). Then the instructor lamented that there was one girl, yet only a sophomore, who was downright bratty (translated "mean"). I commiserated with her and shared that I really don't care how good my children are as dancers as long as they are "good" girls. I would much rather people say that my girls are sweet or polite or caring or loving, than they tell me that they are very talented. I want to see more Ethans in this world.

Julius has his own book. If you didn't get enough of him in Losers, Inc. try You're a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman.