Misfits by Gary Davis is a book that redefines conventional notions of a hero. Instead of having the typical protagonist, Davis introduces the reader to a group of misfit teenagers who find themselves caught up in a series of events beyond their control and emerge as the unlikely saviors of their small town. But what really sets them apart, however, is how much more relatable they are-no born heroes, no one was given any special skills or knowledge. Just ordinary teens in a very weird and extraordinary circumstance. The core plot of Misfits centers around the discovery of this alien artifact by these teens, which then triggers an encroaching chain reaction through government secrecy, alien intrigue, and personal dilemmas into their lives. The teens in this story are not brave, strong, or even powerful but curious, resourceful, and determined to take matters into their own hands-even though they do not understand what the consequences might be. That is what makes them so compelling: their imperfections. They bumble through the mystery, making plenty of mistakes along the way, but it’s through those very mistakes that they find their inner strength.
One of the most refreshing elements of Misfits is in the group dynamic. The teens may not often agree and mostly make impulsive decisions, but ultimately it shows that teamwork, however clumsy, does pull out solutions to apparently insurmountable problems. The chain of events is unknowingly started by Leroy, a tech-savvy teen, when he hacks into his father’s government lab system. One such single act fires up the quest of a number of teenagers in an attempt to build a copy of the alien artifact they came across in a forgotten Cold War shelter beneath the school. Inexperienced, head over heels they plunged into the unknown, firm to give at least some sort of sense to what they managed to dig out-this incomprehensible and hazardous world.
The humor is never far behind throughout the story as the teens try to outwit the government agents trying to regain control of the situation. Accidental heroism results in numerous comic moments: miscommunication, unintentional sabotage, and blunders drive the story forward. But what really makes these moments work is that, despite all their mistakes, the teens never give up. Resourceful, they learn from their errors and continually adapt to the ever-changing circumstances.
That’s what makes Misfits so dear: the complete unexpectedness of the teens’ heroism. In a world where heroic acts are most commonly associated with grand gestures and selflessness, Davis reminds us that real heroes aren’t always those who actually set out to save the day but rather those unlikely ones who end up making a world of difference.
Ultimately, Misfits is a celebration of the underdog. It’s to remind one that sometimes ordinary people, or in this case teens, can do extraordinary things. With humor, heart, and a sense of adventure, Davis has crafted a story that resonates with readers of all ages. The misfit teens at the core of this novel may not set out to be heroes, but by the end of the book, they prove that heroism doesn’t always look or feel the way we expect