Otherness

Stone uses the theme of Otherness to demonstrate to the young adult reader while otherness as a result of sexism, racism, and homophobia are real and valid experiences, this is also a common experience for everyone. She also demonstrates though that while otherness is legitimate, it can also be reinforced by a person’s own insecurities, that are not necessarily based on the truth of the situation. And while each person can feel like the odd one out by others, they can also cause others to feel this way as well. The theme therefore forces the reader to grow empathy for others, and themselves.

First, Stone opens with Coop to show how otherness is not a feeling only for women or LGBT people. Coop is a black teenager, already in the minority, with a single Mom. His identity and family structure alone make him outside the...