The Losers Club

The club has grown even more upon Alec’s return. They now have 14 members. That Monday, Dave, along with several other kids from Active Games, decided to switch to the Losers Club. Dave explains that he didn’t want to seem like a loser at first, but in Active Games, he’s a loser every day against Kent. All the other kids are tired of losing to Kent and tired of his attitude.

Alec has noticed that Kent has been a bit nicer since he spent time in the Losers Club, but that didn’t translate to the kids in Active Games, which is now a much smaller group with the departure of so many kids. Mr. Jenson has even made them stop playing kickball for a while, and he now passes out Wiffle ball equipment instead.

By Wednesday, Alec realizes they need more space for the Losers Club. He asks Mr. Willner, but Mr. Willner is tied up. He tells Alec where to find the extra table and to recruit someone to push it to the gym. Alec notices that Kent is not busy with Wiffle ball yet and decides to try his luck. He explains that he needs a strong kid to help him with the table. Kent at first is suspicious of Alec’s motives but then realizes Alec is genuinely asking for help. Kent is happy to flex his muscles.

The table rolls, but it’s still heavier than Alec imagined, and he needs to take a break. Kent taunts him for getting tired, but Alec doesn’t mind. He comments that not everyone is built like Kent. Kent’s demeanor softens. He tells Alec that he really liked the Hatchet books. He’s finished the whole series now. Alec is happy to hear this, but he can tell something is on Kent’s mind. Kent finally admits that Alec must have given him Hatchet because Alec knew Kent’s parents were divorcing. Alec didn’t know. He realizes how big of a part divorce plays in the book, with the main character feeling a lot of emotions about his parents’ divorce. Alec feels bad. He explains he didn’t know and apologizes.

Kent clarifies that it was a good thing he read those books, but he’s happy to hear that Alec didn’t give them to him intentionally because Alec hates Kent. Alec says he never hated Kent, he just hates Kent’s teasing. Kent understands.

They roll the table the rest of the way to the gym. Kent says he’d be happy to help roll out more tables when they need them and invites Alec to join Active Games whenever he feels like it. Alec jokes about putting a plaque where Kent sat to show how cool the Losers Club is. Before parting, Kent says he’ll probably still call Alec a bookworm. Alec retorts that it takes one to know one, and they laugh.

The third table for the Losers Club is the designated semi-quiet table so kids who want to talk occasionally can sit there. Alec still feels a little unsure about having so many kids in the club, but he’s happy they have space now. At the chatty table, Mrs. Case’s input has helped them become more focused, and she comes to visit the table to discuss the books twice a week.

Alec is nearly done with one of his mom’s old books, Julie of the Wolves. When Nina spots him reading it, she is surprised because there are many mentions of “girl stuff” that she didn’t think Alec would like. Alec appreciates the story anyway, and Nina compliments him on having an open mind. When Nina compliments Alec, he doesn’t feel like a loser or a bookworm. Later, he glances up to catch Nina grabbing her bookbag, and she smiles at him. Alec’s chest feels tight and fluttery.

Alec considers how so much has changed since starting the club, but books are always the same no matter what. Books are unlike real life, where everything is unpredictable and messy. Alec decides the messiness is worth it to feel as good as Nina makes him feel.

The next Monday, the members from the chatty table approach Alec and ask if he can change the name of the club. Alec is reading Fahrenheit 451, and he’s so caught up in it that he doesn’t hear them at first. The members explain that they are worried about what their parents will think when they learn their kids are in something called the Losers Club at the open house, which is just a week away.

Alec is offended that they think the club is actually for losers. Julia adds that Mrs. Case also wants to change the name. Alec is a bit mad he even asked Mrs. Case to help in the first place. Lily and Jason defend the name, but the other kids are unsure. One boy asks what they’re doing for the open house, but Alec can’t answer that question.

Alec wants to tell them off and declare that the club is his anyway and he can call it what he wants, but he decides not to give that speech. He calms himself mentally, thinking that he’ll be able to figure something out and reminding himself that he’d promised Nina that he would handle the open house presentation.

Alec realizes that, with the club’s popularity, he won’t be able to just do a book report like he’d originally planned. He knows everyone is counting on him for the open house presentation. Alec asks everyone for their email addresses so he can get back to them later that night. The other kids oblige, but they’re unhappy that the name conflict hasn’t been resolved. When Nina arrives, she can tell Alec is distraught. Alec explains that the other kids want to change the name. Nina asks if he wants to talk about it, but he declines and thanks her for the offer.

Alec feels like reading has changed for him. He used to be able to get lost in books as an escape, but now he can’t fully disconnect from the pressures of everyday life because the books make him think about what’s going on in his life. Even Charlotte’s Web makes him think about his brother, the passing of time, and the meaning of friendship.

Alec hears the other table laughing and wonders if they’re laughing at him. He doesn’t think the club’s name is dumb, and he begins trying to think of a way to prove it to them.

At the dinner table, Alec’s mom comments on how exciting the upcoming open house is. Alec is concerned about all the people who will be there. Alec’s dad asks him what he thinks of Fahrenheit 451. Alec is halfway through, and he’s enjoying it. He asks his dad if anything like the outlawed books in the story could happen in real life. Alec’s parents explain that there are many countries where the government tries to restrict what people can read, watch on television, and view on the internet. They also remind Alec of the book burning the Nazis did, like in the book The Book Thief. Luke comments that only dictators do that kind of thing. Their dad adds that dictators are afraid of losing control so they try to control what media people can access.

Alec realizes he’s been a bit of a dictator. He’s afraid of losing control of the Losers Club. He wonders if he was afraid of losing the fight with Kent, or losing Nina as a friend, or losing the respect of the other club members. He focuses on the word lose and an idea comes to him.

After dinner, Alec sends an email to all the club members requesting some information from them. He says they will have a vote on the club name, but it will have to take place the Tuesday after the open house. He has an idea and needs their participation.

Alec doesn’t care if they think he’s crazy for requesting the information he does from them. He has a great idea for the open house. He requests Luke’s help with working out the technical details. He’ll need Luke to help operate the computers and printers, as well as some other things. Alec is a bit concerned about having enough time to execute his plan, but he’s feeling confident in the plan itself.

During open house night, Alec’s dad goes with him to his classes while his mom goes with Luke to tour third grade. Alec is nervous about his presentation the entire time. He’s relieved to see some of the families aren’t staying for the Extended Day presentation.

In the gym, the families pack the bleachers. The rest of the gym is set up exactly how it is during Extended Day. The Homework Room teacher makes a small speech, then Mr. Jenson talks about Active Games. Kent and the rest of the Active Games kids show off some of their Wiffle ball skills. The clubs begin presenting after that. Each club has a short yet well-planned presentation. The chess kids talk about what they’ve studied in the world of chess. The Origami Club unveils a giant origami swan. The robotics kids show off their robots. The Lego Club reveals a large Lego castle. The Chinese Club puts on a short play. The Losers Club goes last.

Alec sets up the Losers Club tables with bins in front of each student. Inside each bin, he’s printed the book cover of every single book each of the club members has ever read—he’d requested the list from each club member through his email. With Luke’s help, Alec has created a large stack for each student and taped the pages together end-to-end so when the first page is pulled, it unfolds the rest of the pages into a long stream of book covers.

Alec introduces himself and the name of the club, which gets a few awkward laughs. He then instructs the Losers Club members to take the first pages in their bins and run in different directions. Long accordions of book covers quickly stream across the entire gym, impressing the crowd. Many people point to certain books and talk about the ones they know. Alec asks for everyone’s attention again.

Alec explains that he founded the Losers Club so he could read in silence, admitting that that’s why he originally chose the name. He explains that the name began to take on another meaning: He and the rest of the Losers Club lose themselves in their books for hours on end. When they return, they have new perspectives and new knowledge to share. He uses Hatchet as an example, saying he’d have a good idea where to start if he ever found himself lost in the wilderness. He says books make people lose their ignorance and fear of the unknown.

At the end of his presentation, Alec unzips his hoodie to reveal a shirt. He talks about how he’s usually called a bookworm, but he’s not a bookworm, he’s a bookhawk. On his shirt is a design Luke helped with featuring a hawk on a pile of books.

Everyone applauds Alec’s presentation, including the club members. His parents rush over to tell him how proud they are. Alec’s dad says this is great rebranding. Alec thanks Luke for the help. Mrs. Case says it’s the best open house presentation she’s ever seen. Mrs. Vance shakes Alec’s parents’ hands, then Alec’s. She is proud of him and his progress this year.

Alec spots Dave and Kent looking at Dave’s stream of book covers. Kent and Alec’s gazes meet. Alec points to his shirt, then to Kent to indicate he’s a bookhawk too. Nina is with her family, but she smiles at Alec when their eyes lock.

Alec tries to think of a moment in a book that was as intensely happy as he feels right now, but he recognizes that real life can be better than the best books sometimes.