Freak Show

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

Does being one’s true self equal danger? For 17-year-old Billy Bloom, the answer is yes. After being sent to live with his father, Billy was forced to attend his senior year at the conservative Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy. The school is located in Florida and ruled by southern, Christian, small-town values. Billy shows up and turns everything upside down. He is flamboyant, eccentric and proudly gay. The school’s leaders, cheerleaders and football players, are outwardly appalled by him. Billy’s determination to be who he is brings him torture and humiliation, yet he also makes unexpected friends and inspires those who feel they have no voice. Billy befriends the most adored football hero Flip Kelly. They understand each other, and Flip finds comfort in Billy’s bravery to be himself. Flip finds the courage to show his true self, and in each other they experience love for the first time. Freak Show not only sheds light on the difficult road the gay community endures, but it carries a message to everyone gay and straight that each person is unique and different in some way. It is okay to be who you are, whoever that may be. The book gives a voice to young adults struggling as Billy had and lets them know they are not alone.