The Losers Club

In Extended Day, Kent is already waiting at the Losers Club table when Alec arrives. He’s in a sour mood and asks if Alec is going to give him a book to read. Alec is happy Kent asked.

Earlier, Alec went to the library and asked the librarian for recommendations for Kent. The librarian gave Alec a list of books for “reluctant readers” (163). Alec decided that Hatchet was the perfect book to start Kent with, as it wasn’t about sports but was still a captivating read for young men.

When Alec gives Kent the book, Kent jokes it’s about an ax murderer. Alec stresses that Kent needs to take this seriously since he’s the one who wanted to keep his word. Kent goes quiet and starts reading.

When the rest of the club shows up, Alec motions for them to keep quiet so they don’t disturb Kent. Julia reminds Alec that he said they could talk about their books. Alec points out that they must read their book first. He declares it a reading-only day. Julia, Sarah, and Ellen all have the same new book. They take their seats and start reading.

Fifteen minutes later, Alec glances up to check on the table. Nina gestures to Kent, whose eyes are glued to Hatchet. She mouths a compliment of Alec’s choice for Kent. Alec is glad Kent seems to be enjoying the book.

The next day, Alec realizes that the Losers Club has a problem. The new girls talking about their book are too noisy, and they’re disturbing everyone else’s quiet reading time. Kent is especially annoyed, as he actually seems to be enjoying Hatchet.

To manage this problem, Alec tracks down Mrs. Case and requests a second table for the club. As Alec and Mr. Willner roll out the table, Alec notices that the Active Games kids seem to be having more lighthearted fun without Kent around. The three girls settle in at the new table, to the relief of Alec, Jason, Nina, Lily, and Kent.

Alec begins reading Brian’s Hunt, which is the only book in the Hatchet series that he hasn’t read. He wants to be ready in case Kent has questions and wants to continue the series. Kent is very close to finishing Hatchet.

A few hours later, Kent stands up and declares he’s finished the book. He plans to go play kickball for the last hour of Extended Day, but Alec reminds him the deal was five days in the Losers Club, despite how many books Kent finishes. Alec came prepared. He gives Kent the next book in the Hatchet series. Kent sits back down and begins reading. Later, Alec glances up and sees Kent is just as engulfed in The River as he was in Hatchet.

On Thursday night, Luke asks Alec if he did something to upset Kent and his buddies. The previous day, Kent and a friend shoved Luke into a locker and told him to watch where he’s going, calling him a Little Loser.

Alec is angry and surprised, since Kent seemed to be getting more personable since honoring his agreement. However, he also acknowledges that Kent’s first day at the Losers Table was Wednesday afternoon, after the shoving took place. Alec says he’ll talk to Kent tomorrow.

Luke says they’re Neanderthals anyway, but Alec tells him that calling them Neanderthals is the same as them calling him a loser or a nerd. Luke is unfazed by this advice.

Luke explains that he’s starting his own Losers Club in the cafeteria for younger students. He already has five people who want to join once it’s started up. Alec is surprised and proud, but he warns Mrs. Case didn’t like the name the first time and might not approve of a second Losers Club. He suggests they find out who runs the clubs in the cafeteria first and talk to them to gain leverage. Luke quotes Yoda and thanks Alec for the help.

The next morning, Alec tries to find time to talk to Kent, but their music class is busy. The chorus leader asks for just the sopranos and tells the tenors and baritones to take a small break. Alec goes to find Kent, but when he sees Kent, he realizes Kent is using his music book to hide that he’s reading The River in class, and he’s almost done with it. He must have spent the night reading after school the previous day. Alec decides not to bother him.

When everyone begins singing again, Alec spots Kent mouthing the words and pretending to sing, with The River still open in front of him. It’s a trick Alec himself learned a few years back so he could read in music class. Alec considers catching up with Kent after class and even teasing him for the reading, but he decides against it. Instead, he focuses on what book he can give Kent next. While there are more books in the Hatchet series, Alec wants to give Kent a choice this time.

During math class, Alec brainstorms some books he can offer to Kent. After English, Luke finds Alec in the hallway and expresses that he and a friend are starting the Mini Losers Club today. Luke wants a break from the Animation Club anyway. Alec is proud of them but surprised that Luke reads enough to want a reading club. Luke pulls out his iPad and opens his booklist. He’s read tons of books about animation, video games, and technology. Alec just never noticed because Luke prefers to read on his iPad.

When Alec goes to his next class, he’s distracted, worrying about the Mini Losers Club. Thanks to the name, he’ll still be connected to the club, and he’ll have to give Luke advice on running and maintaining the club. He’s scared he won’t be able to keep up with both. He thinks about his own club and the problems that more members have caused, like noise. He hates having to maintain everyone’s peaceful reading time as it takes time from his own reading. He’s also upset that he was finally getting comfortable talking to Nina before Kent arrived. He worries through lunch and the rest of his classes that day.

By the time Extended Day starts, Kent has finished The River. Alec offers him a choice between the next book in the series and one of his own books, I Am Lebron James. Kent is surprised that Alec owns and has read a book about an athlete. Alec says there’s a follow-up book too, about Lebron’s high school years, but he isn’t allowed to read it for a few years because of the content. Kent takes the Lebron James book and settles in to read. Alec feels good about Kent’s interest in reading.

However, that evening, Alec’s progress reports have some sixes and sevens instead of eights, nines, and tens. He now must go to the Homework Room for the next week.