The Losers Club

“The room was darkened so everyone could see the screen, and about two minutes into her talk, Alec switched off his ears and started thinking about The High King.”

Here, after a day of working hard to stay focused in class, Alec finds himself unable to keep his brain from wandering to his current book. This quote illustrates the difficulties Alec faces when grappling with his love for reading and his need to pay attention in school.

“Alec didn’t really want to be in a club either…and he really didn’t want to start one. To have to get an activity organized and then keep it going, day after day? That sounded horrible.”

This quote explains why Alec is initially apprehensive about starting a club. The concerns Alec expresses here foreshadow the responsibility Alec owes to the Losers Club later on as it grows to be bigger than he expected. This quote also explains why Alec chose the name Losers Club: He doesn’t want to be responsible for a group of people. However, founding a club is the first important step in Alec’s character arc, as it will help him gain confidence and maturity.

“Did he deserve the nickname? Sure he did, and Alec understood that. He really did love to read so being called a bookworm almost felt like an honor. And most of the time it didn’t bother him.

But the way Kent said it? That was different.”

In this quote, Alec considers the way the label bookworm makes him feel. While Alec feels it’s a fitting label for his insatiable thirst for books, Kent’s use of the word changes its meaning for Alec, because Kent means it as an insult. This quote contributes to the themes of Labels and Misconceptions and Bullying Versus Friendship.

“Some people had comfort food, but Alec had comfort books—stories so familiar that they made reading feel like coasting downhill on a bike, or water-skiing on a smooth lake. And Charlotte’s Web was one of his all-time favorites.”

This quote develops The Value of Reading theme by showing how reading provides Alec with comfort after a bad day. This quote comes as Alec is recovering from his confrontation with Kent while trying to get Dave to join the Losers Club. Alec uses books as an escape to help him unwind from his daily problems.

“Which was a comment that made this girl even more interesting to Alec. Plus, she looked nice—especially when she wasn’t shaking a book in his face.”

After Nina compliments Alec’s thinking behind naming the club the Losers Club, Alec begins to develop feelings for her and sees her as more than just a fellow bookworm—she is a girl he could be interested in. This quote marks the beginning of Alec’s romantic interest in Nina, and marks the first important social connection he makes thanks to his book club.

“Because that letter she was sending to his mom and dad? It could be at home right now, like a little tornado trapped in an envelope, ready to burst out and blow his life to bits. He knew the storm was coming, and he’d been getting ready for it…but since there was absolutely nothing he could do about it at the moment, Alec opened The High King to chapter six and began to read. Instantly, the action pulled him off to a distant world.”

This quote, which uses a simile to explain the potential threat of Mrs. Vance’s letter home to Alec, compares the letter to a “tornado” and a “storm.” Alec acknowledges that all he can do is be prepared for the consequences. To take his mind off it, he sinks into his book. This quote shows The Value of Reading by showing how Alec can take his mind off his problems with a book. The figurative language also builds on the greater conflict of Alec’s reading impacting his grades and his potential summer vacation by emphasizing the gravity of Mrs. Vance’s letter home.

“Because whenever he was reading a story, it tried to spill over into his life…or maybe it was the other way around—that his own life spilled into the thoughts and actions of the characters.”

This quote shows how reading is an engaging back-and-forth for Alec as he projects his own thoughts and feelings onto the actions of the book characters and, in turn, feels like the things he reads influence his thoughts and feelings about what’s happening to him in real life. This dialogue between Alec’s brain and his books promotes The Value of Reading theme by showing how it can influence’s one’s perspective.

“Again, Alec felt like he could probably score some points against Kent, could probably make Nina think that the guy wasn’t much of a reader, talk about how he mostly obsessed about sports, maybe even tell her what he’d said about joining the club...

Alec made himself stop.”

In this quote, Alec weighs the power he has to influence Nina’s opinion of Kent after Nina asks about Kent’s interests and reading habits. However, in this same chapter, Alec weighs what it means to be “honorable” and chooses to go that route. Instead of revealing all these things to Nina, he decides to take the high road and not disparage Kent to Nina. This is an important moment of characterization for Alec, and it contributes to the Bullying Versus Friendship theme by showing that the option to be kind is always available, regardless of how one has been treated.

“First of all, not being good at folding paper does not make anybody a loser. And second, the Losers Club is actually a secret club for kids who like to read, and it would be great if you would join.”

In this quote, Alec addresses Lily’s misconceptions about the name of the Losers Club and her own interpretation of what makes her a “loser.” This quote characterizes Alec by showing how protective he is of Lily, who is two years younger than him. This quote also contributes to the Labels and Misconceptions theme by showing how the term “loser” carries a big connotation that misleads people about the club’s purpose.

“And no matter what was coming with the club, Alec felt like he had to be there. It was sort of like when he got pulled into a novel, the way he had to keep reading and reading—because that was the only way to find out what was going to happen next.”

Here, Alec compares staying with and maintaining the Losers Club to sticking with a book to find out what happens. Alec feels responsible for the Losers Club, and when faced with the possibility of having to give it up if his grades slip, he realizes how important it is for him to be there for his fellow club members and find out what’s happening with the club. This quote also shows how Alec relates most things in his life to reading.

“I know the open house is still a long time away and everything, but…like, the origami kids? They started talking about their ideas on the very first day. So, what are we going to do for the open house?”

In this quote, Lily reminds Alec of the Losers Club’s responsibility to create a presentation for the upcoming open house, which Alec has not once thought about since starting the club. This quote serves to keep this looming conflict in the story’s peripheral as Alec faces more pressing conflicts with Kent, Nina, and the Losers Club.

“I don’t like science fiction much—rockets and aliens and stuff.”

In this quote, Nina explains why she doesn’t enjoy science fiction as a genre, but her interpretation of science fiction is limited to “rockets” and “aliens.” Once Alec shows her Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day,” Nina’s definition of science fiction is altered. This quote and the resulting bet that Nina will enjoy the story anyway develop the Labels and Misconceptions theme by showing how Nina has formed her own misconceptions based on the science fiction label.

“No, Kent didn’t think he was a loser. Kent clearly thought he was more like a rival, a possible contender. Which made Alec feel pretty good.”

As Alec ruminates over his interaction with Kent that morning, he realizes that Kent never would’ve asked Alec if Alec and Nina were together if Kent didn’t think Alec had something to offer Nina. Despite their being romantic rivals, competing for Nina’s attention, Alec feels good about Kent coming to him because it means Kent sees Alec as a possible threat, which is better to Alec than being a loser in Kent’s eyes.

“I’ve read all these books about these amazing heroes who do incredible things—people who fight for honor and glory and patriotism…and love. So—what about me? Do I just sit around while Kent grabs all the attention?”

In this quote, Alec considers the heroes of the books he’s read and reasons himself into taking action. He cannot stand the idea that Kent is hanging out with Nina, and he chooses to do something about it. This quote conveys The Value of Reading by showing how Alec takes inspiration from the characters in his books. This is also the first time Alec has decided to actively do something for himself outside of working to secure his reading time. Finally, this quote shows how Alec’s expectations are shaped by the way books always work out for the heroes, foreshadowing his rude awakening when he gets a reality check later in the chapter.

“His trip to Nina’s house had definitely started out like fiction, almost like a dream—but then he had actually done things, and as he did them, he became the owner of a collection of interlocking moments, moments that belonged only to him. And those moments were not fiction.”

Here, Alec acknowledges his lofty expectations as he set out for Nina’s house, influenced by the heroics of his favorite characters. However, he understands now that reality is not predictable, and living moment-to-moment has its own rewards in the form of a personal story. This is an important turning point for Alec’s relationship with books.

“But bookworm is just a word, right? Bookworm, sports guy, airhead, brainiac—all those labels, they’re just words. Bookworm calls up a picture in the mind, and you don’t like it. So pick another word, a word that calls up a different picture, something that’s more what you like.”

In this quote, Alec’s dad makes a point about the way labels are used and their meanings. He advises Alec to “rebrand” himself into a label that he prefers. This advice becomes instrumental in Alec’s final presentation at the open house in the last chapter, as he reveals his “Bookhawk” T-shirt, creating a new label and a new image for himself. This quote ties into the theme of Labels and Misconceptions through Alec’s dad’s advice that words can be repurposed and rebranded into different meanings.

“But that thought made Alec shake his head and smile. He knew he didn’t know much, but he did know that perfect little endings happened in books, not in real life—at least, not in his life…or not yet, anyway.”

This quote shows growth in Alec’s interpretation of reality versus fiction since his attempted confrontation with Kent in Chapter 19. By acknowledging that not everything happens the way it happens in books, Alec’s relationship with reading becomes healthier. This is an important quote for Alec’s personal growth as he navigates his real-life conflicts and his love of reading.

“For the next few minutes, the two of them talked about the books they liked, about the ones they kept reading again and again, and also about the books that they’d finished only because they’d had to[.]”

This quote illustrates the way reading is a door to friendship by showing how Alec and Jason bond over the books they have in common. Books and reading as tools for building friendship are a reoccurring motif in the book (See: Symbols & Motifs), showing how sharing books is like opening a door between people.

“Alec took a mental tour through different books he’d read, remembering how his favorite heroes had solved their biggest problems, won their greatest battles. Courage was always important. And effort. But the characters who were only out for revenge? They usually failed.”

Alec once again seeks wisdom in his books as he prepares to confront Kent about hurting Nina’s feelings. He knows that doing something “only [. . .] for revenge” is not the correct route to go, so he carefully constructs his plan to beat Kent while building a bridge between the boys for a potential future friendship. This quote contributes to The Value of Reading theme by showing how Alec uses examples from books to help him solve his problem with Kent.

“And sneaking his own quick look, Alec was amazed. Because Kent sat motionless, eyes locked on the page, reading that book with the same intensity he’d have used to pitch a kickball with the bases loaded.”

In this quote, Kent is quickly drawn into the book Alec picked out for him. Alec’s amazement that Kent is so focused on the book develops the theme of Labels and Misconceptions by showing how even a “sports guy” like Kent can also be interested in books. This quote also develops The Value of Reading theme by showing how books can have something valuable to offer all different kinds of people.

“No, it’s not a problem—and it was good to read all of it. But I’m glad you picked Hatchet because you liked the book, and that you didn’t pick it because you hated me.”

In this quote, Kent and Alec resolve some of their remaining differences as Kent helps Alec push another table to the Losers Club area. After Kent opens up about his parents’ divorce, he wonders if Alec chose to make him read Hatchet as a punishment. However, Alec confesses he didn’t know about the divorce and only chose the book because he believed Kent would like it. Kent’s devouring the Hatchet series and finding meaning in it as he navigates his parents’ divorce develops The Value of Reading theme. Likewise, Kent’s learning that Alec chose the book with good intentions—not bad intentions—develops the Bullying Versus Friendship theme, as Alec’s kindness helps to rebuild the bridge between the former friends.

“So I don’t want my dad to think that I’m in a club for losers!”

In this quote, Alec is confronted by the other members of the Losers Club as they express apprehension about presenting themselves under that name in front of their families. This apprehension comes from the connotation carried by the word “loser’”—which the Losers Club members don’t identify with. This quote develops the theme of Labels and Misconceptions, as Alec will soon find a way to give “loser” a brand-new connotation.

“This afternoon when I wanted to tell those kids they couldn’t change the name of the club? That was being a dictator! So…am I scared I’m going to lose control…or lose respect—or lose this weird battle I’ve been having with Kent? And lose Nina as a friend?”

Here, Alec considers the definition of a dictator after discussing Fahrenheit 451 with his parents at the dinner table. He realizes that his impulse to overrule the Losers Club about changing the name was part of a need for control. During this train of thought, Alec also hears the word “lose” several times and realizes that there are many meanings to the word that don’t necessarily have a negative connotation. This is an important quote for Alec’s character growth, and it foreshadows his presentation in the final chapter.