The Losers Club

Protagonist Alec Spencer’s insatiable craving for literature means that he has a reading list of “five hundred and thirty-seven different books—starting with Goodnight Moon and ending with Fahrenheit 451” (222). Several titles take on more importance to Alec’s day-to-day decision making and the novel’s narrative themes.

The first of these titles is The High King by Lloyd Alexander, which is the final book in The Chronicles of Prydain series. This high fantasy children’s novel concludes the adventures of main character Taran as he fights in the resistance against evil and weighs his final decision to be or not to be the titular High King. This novel influences Alec’s decision to be honorable in the face of his adversary, Kent. Although Alec has the power to be cruel to Kent, he values being honorable more because it’s how the heroes of The High King would have acted.

Another significant title is E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. Not only does this book bring comfort to Alec after a hard day, but Alec’s affection for the main character, Fern, influences his kindness toward Lily when she asks to join the Losers Club. Lily’s youth and fresh-faced appearance bring Alec warm feelings about one of his favorite book characters and make Alec want to be “like a big brother” to Lily (62). Subsequently, Alec and Lily bond over their love for Charlotte’s Web.

Perhaps the most important novel featured in The Losers Club is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, as well as the other novels in the series. Alec takes inspiration from Brian’s Winter—the third book in the series—when naming the Losers Club, relating it to how the main characters kept a skunk to drive away bears. Alec regularly cites Hatchet and its sequels when he’s thinking about facing insurmountable odds. He also bonds with several Losers Club members over their love for the books.

However, Hatchet is the most important book in this novel not because of its regular references but because of its role in helping Alec solve his main conflict with Kent. Alec recommends this book series to Kent without knowing that Kent’s parents are going through a divorce. As Alec puts it, “Divorce was a big part of the story, a huge part of the main character’s thoughts and feelings” (198). By presenting Kent with a book that speaks to him on a personal level, Alec creates common ground to rebuild his friendship with Kent. The Hatchet series plays a significant role in the turning point of Alec and Kent’s dynamic.