SBHS Library
Summer 2012
GLBT YA Literature Annotated Picks:
Lisa: As I walked the shelves, I wondered if we wanted to consider adding these (I pulled
them just in case)….
Shine by Lauren Myracle
Cat, 16, has isolated herself over the past three years, retreating from her friends and life
after being violated by a boy she knew. But after a gay-bashing incident involving her former
best friend at the local convenience store where he works leaves him in a coma, she is
determined to enter the world again and investigate the crime to make up for all the years she
abandoned him. The sheriff suspects his attackers are most likely out-of-towners angry with
Patrick because he refused to sell them alcohol. Cat assumes the perpetrators are closer to
home since the "redneck posse" that Patrick hung around with never fully accepted him and
must know something since they partied with him earlier in the night. In a week's time, Cat
pays visits to her old friends and slowly learns about the hidden relationships in the methaddled underbelly of her hill-country Southern town. Most of the teens in this novel have
either dropped out of high school, come from broken families, or been abused. It's a bleak
story leavened a little by the things Cat learns about herself in the course of her investigation.
Myracle captures well the regret that many feel for things in their past about which they are
ashamed. Cat's reflections on these moments are spot-on.The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs
From Library Journal
Downs, a practicing psychologist in Santa Fe, NM, has previously written on corporate
dysfunction and the crises of adulthood. Here, he joins other recent commentators, most
notably Patrick Moore (Beyond Shame), to offer a self-help book for gay men coping with the
shame of their sexual orientation. While some readers will find his stage approach to gay
development a bit deterministic, those familiar with gay men will find a good deal of honest
reporting here. Without being maudlin, Downs, himself a gay man, writes movingly of his
clients and their struggles to come to terms with themselves -no small task. For many gay
men, the most important chapter will be the one that comes last: there, the author outlines ten
lessons that lead to a life of authenticity. Though these would apply to anyone seeking a
mature adult life, Downs uses a uniquely gay spin that makes this book stand out in the
literature.
The New Gay Teenager by Ritch C. Savin-Williams
That there has been a sea change in attitudes about sexual minorities in the past few
generations is not news. What is remarkable, however, is the growing nonchalance of
contemporary adolescents about their own sexuality. Savin-Williams, a pioneer in the study of
sexual minority youth and the author of several groundbreaking books, admits that 'gay' may
be a misnomer for the teens he interviewed. Many reject labels altogether and prefer to see
themselves as free agents. Savin-Williams, likewise, rejects the developmental-stage ideas of
sexual identity that have dominated psychological theory for over 30 years. Most important,
by carefully listening to the experiences of the teenagers, he confirms what many other
observers have noted: the generation coming of age now has increasingly open ideas about
sexuality that will likely create huge cultural shifts in the coming decades.
--David S. Azzolina (Library Journal )
SBHS Library
Summer 2012
Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence edited by Marion Dan Bauer (FIC BAU)
sc???not on shelf
“Collection of 18 short stories by recognized children's and young adult authors explores the
various meanings of gay/lesbian identity in the lives of teenagers.”
I am J by Chris Beam (FIC BEA)
“When J reached adolescence, he quit the swim team and began covering his body with
extra clothes to hide the fact that he had been born a girl… J is an especially vivid character,
and the supporting characters are carefully drawn. Told in third person, the story is believable
and effective due to insightful situations, realistic language, and convincing dialogue.”
Baby Be-Bop by Francesca Lia Block (FIC BLO)
“Dirk(‘s)…struggling with how to come out to his best friend and soulmate… (Block) makes
the power of stories felt here, more purposefully than ever before, she weaves a safety net of
words for readers longing to feel at home with themselves.”
The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd (FIC BUR)
“(Dade Hamilton‘s) parents are divorcing, his job stinks, and his “boyfriend,” popular footballstar Pablo, likes to hook up but denies he’s gay and ignores Dade in public. When he
encounters enigmatic Alex, 20, Dade finds acceptance and serious romance, encouraged by
Lucy, a lesbian teen. As Dade’s relationship with Alex deepens, Pablo stalks Dade and then
commits suicide, unable to face his own homosexuality.”
The Perks of Beings a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (FIC CHB)
“Grounded in a specific time (the 1991/92 academic year) and place (western Pennsylvania),
Charlie, his friends, and family are palpably real. His grandfather is an embarrassing bigot;
his new best friend is gay…Charlie develops from an observant wallflower into his own man
of action.”
Fade to Black by Alex Flinn (FIC FLI)
“Flinn, author of Breathing Underwater (2001) and Nothing to Lose (2004), takes aim at
bullying once again. This time HIV-positive Alejandro Crusan, a Florida high-school junior, is
the target. After being attacked in his car by a baseball bat-wielding teenager, Alex is
hospitalized while recovering from his injuries. The teens alternate telling their stories and
sharing their secrets, as Alex struggles with the truth about the attack and about the origin of
his HIV-positive status.” (Annotation from Booklist)
On the Fringe edited by Donald R. Gallo (SC ?)????not on shelf
“Kids who are geeks, unathletic, poor, emotionally fragile, loners, or unattractive by current
standards form the heart of this collection of exceptional stories by well-known YA authors
such as Joan Bauer, Chris Crutcher, and M. E. Kerr.”
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan (FIC GRE) ???not on shelf
“Will Grayson's best friend since fifth grade, nicknamed Tiny Cooper, is bigger than life in
terms of his physical stature and his personality—the "world's largest person who is really,
really gay." Tiny, while seeking the boy of his dreams, has been through the trauma of myriad
short-lived romantic relationships and Will has supported him each time his heart is broken.
Now, Tiny decides it's Will's turn.”
SBHS Library
Summer 2012
Geography Club by Brent Hartinger (FIC HAR)
“Russel Middlebrook is a sophomore at Goodkind High School. He has a secret crush on a
baseball jock, Kevin Land, and soon discovers that Kevin is also gay. The boys become
friendly outside of school and set up the "Geography Club" with three other gay students, one
of whom is Russel's closest friend, Min. The club members relish the opportunity to discuss
their lives and to relate to one another openly and honestly. Eventually, however, intense
peer pressure and insecurity take their toll.”
The Misfits by James Howe (FIC HOW)
"Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit." Howe tells the truth
about the pain and anger caused by jeers and name-calling in a fast, funny, tender story that
will touch readers as much as all the recent books about school violence. The narrator, Bob
("fatso"), joins with his three loser friends in the seventh grade--Joe ("faggot"), Addie
("beanpole," "know-it-all"), and Skeezie ("wop," "ree-tard")--to challenge the usual popularitycontest class elections and get kids and teachers to change.” (Annotation from Booklist)
Totally Joe by James Howe (FIC HOW)
“Joe demonstrates that he truly is a one-of-a-kind kid, mostly comfortable with himself but still
struggling with common adolescent issues…He also comes to grips with his sexuality,
questioning gender expectations and traditional roles as he realizes he is gay. Because he is
different, he is tormented by Kevin, who calls him a girl and faggot and falsely accuses him of
kissing his friend Colin (a jock not yet ready to come out).”
Deliver Us From Evie by M.E. Kerr (FIC KER)
“Evie's story is affectingly told by her younger brother, Parr, who understands as their parents
cannot that Evie is falling in love, not with Cord Whittle, but with the daughter of the man who
holds the mortgage on their farm. Parr's observations are telling: "You'd say Evie was
handsome. You'd say Mom was pretty."…All are survivors. Among the most convincing
lesbian characters in young adult fiction, Evie makes a lasting impression, and Parr himself,
the loving but conflicted brother, is just as finely drawn and memorable.”
Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg (FIC KON)
“Senior quarterback Bobby Framingham is gay and tired of keeping it a secret. He confides in
a close friend who promises not to tell, and then does. Suddenly Bobby is in the spotlight,
and raw emotions come into play. His best girl friend is hurt and disgusted. His coach insists
that he's not really gay. His teammates' reactions range from supportive to freaked out to
furious.”
Absolutely Positively Not by David LaRochelle (FIC LAR)
“Steven is absolutely, positively sure he’s not different from any other regular guy. Except he
takes a dog to his high school prom. Okay, so maybe he’s not exactly a regular guy, but he’s
sure he can overcome his attraction to boys and men if he just keeps pictures of scantily clad
women in his room (unsuccessful), sits with the hockey players at lunch (nauseating), and
uses aversion therapy (painful, though socially popular)... Steven is absolutely, positively sure
that his taciturn, ice-fisherman father will condemn him for his sexuality. Instead, his dad tells
him about two gay men in his army unit: “Those two men were some of the bravest, most
decent guys I have ever known. Don’t you ever forget that, okay?” LaRochelle tells Steven’s
coming-out story with a deft, light touch that will appeal to gay and straight teens alike.”
SBHS Library
Summer 2012
How They Met & Other Stories by David Levithan (FIC LEV)
“These 18 short stories are about love-from unrequited, to longing, to being smitten, to family
love and friendship… In one selection, a teen awkwardly waits in line to catch the eye of a
handsome Starbucks barista behind the counter. In another, Lucy learns what it is like to feel
a broken heart, but comes out an independent, self-sufficient young woman. A ChineseAmerican girl is fixed up by her parents with the son of a Chinese business partner; two
stories later, a gay boy tries to figure out the difference between lust and love. The portrayal
of these teenagers' feelings across different sexual orientations and races is at once
believable and accurate.”
Prejudice: Stories about Hate, Ignorance, Revelation, and Transformation edited by
Daphne Muse (SC ?)????not on shelf
“Fifteen short stories show prejudice in as many incarnations, including various forms of
racism, sexism, homophobia, religious persecution, and discrimination against the overweight
and the disabled.”
Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle (FIC MYR)
“The kisser is best-friend-since-seventh-grade Lissa. The kiss is no peck on the cheek, and
therein lies the rub. Since the fateful event, Kate has been cold to her friend. In this firstperson narrative, Lissa, hurt and confused, details her present state of inner turmoil, with
frequent flashbacks to the girls' blissful (pre-kiss) days. To complicate matters, Lissa and her
younger sister are being raised by an uncle (their parents died in a plane crash), and lack the
emotional rudder a maternal figure might have provided…{T}hrough personal insights derived
from some new and unexpected friendships (and forays into new-age dream therapy), she
finds the strength to confront both Kate and her own sexual identity.”
Sprout by Dale Peck (FIC PEC)
‘Daniel "Sprout" Bradford, 16, does a lot of his thinking out loud, speaking directly to readers
in a wisecracking voice about the differences between Long Island, where he used to live,
and Kansas, where he and his dad live now... He'd be the first to tell you that he's gay and his
hair is dyed green… His advanced vocabulary and esoteric references…will intrigue readers
who enjoyed Lemony Snicket's built-in definitions in their younger years. Sprout's wiseacre
voice is often very funny and tinged with irony…He will sometimes interrupt a passage that
might be getting a little intimate by instructing readers to "Get your mind out of the gutter"…
At heart, this is the story of a boy looking for love, all the while knowing that the storybook
"happily ever after" isn't going to apply to him.”
Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters (FIC PET)
“Holland Jaeger goes steady with a good-looking boy and contemplates attending an Ivy
League college in the fall. Then she meets "out-and-proud" lesbian Cece Goddard, and her
life changes. Within a matter of weeks, the two begin an affair that eventually leads to a
committed relationship. Holland loses old friends, encounters vicious discrimination, and is
thrown out of the house by her hysterical mother. She finds help at the local Gay Resource
Center, however, and begins to look forward to attending a local college after high school,
with Cece by her side. Peters knows how to tell an intriguing story.”
Luna by Julie Ann Peters (FIC PET)
“ "Yeah, I loved her. I couldn't help it. She was my brother." Regan has always been there for
her transgender brother, Liam, sacrificing her needs for his, but when he announces that he
SBHS Library
Summer 2012
is ready to "transition" into Luna permanently, Regan is not sure she can handle the
consequences… Liam realizes that in order for his sister to be free, he, too, must free himself
to become the woman who lives inside him. Told from Regan's point of view in the present
and in flashback, this novel breaks new ground in YA literature with a sensitive and poignant
portrayal of a young man's determination to live his true identity and his family's struggle to
accept Luna for who she really is.”
Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez (FIC SAN)???not on shelf
Lance is gay but has never had a successful relationship. Sergio, a new guy Lance met
online, is bisexual, but his only relationship was with a girl. When they set up a "f2f" at the
mall, they decide to bring along their best friends, Allie and Kimiko, for support. At the
meeting, not only do sparks fly for Lance and Sergio; Allie, who has been dating a guy for two
years, and Kimiko, a closeted lesbian, also make an instant connection. The usual
relationship issues follow: Lance fears Sergio's bisexuality and lack of commitment; Allie
ponders her sexuality and breaks up with her all-too-understanding boyfriend; Kimiko can't
comprehend why a "straight," popular girl is attracted to her but gets invested enough to
come out to her strict Japanese parents; all works out in the end with no repercussions. Give
Sanchez credit for tackling the bisexuality issue; there is a dearth of YA fiction on this topic.”
The God Box by Alex Sanchez (FIC SAN)
“Hispanic senior Paul enjoys a chaste relationship with girlfriend Angie… their Texas small
town lives centered on their fundamentalist church and school Bible club. Openly gay Manuel
transfers in from Dallas. A committed Christian, he offers new biblical interpretations about
homosexuality, compelling Paul to confront his personal prejudice and the thoughts pointing
to his own gay identity. “On the outside, I was a model of all-American heterosexual Christian
boyhood…But on the inside, I felt like a fraud.” The God Box bristles with discussion points
about conservative religious and political attitudes, and homophobic bullying and violence.”
Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez (FIC SAN)???not on shelf
“Nelson, "out" to the world, is secretly in love with his best friend Kyle. Kyle doesn't look gay
or advertise it, but since he hangs out with Nelson, he's subject to the same harassment at
school. Kyle is secretly in love with Jason, a popular jock who has a popular girlfriend but
who can't stop dreaming of sex with boys. When Jason, trying to sort out his confusion,
shows up at a Rainbow Youth meeting, he is greeted by both "Nelly" and Kyle, who are as
shocked to see him as he is to be seen. This uncomfortable confrontation starts the ball
rolling down a path of deception, denial, revelation, and acceptance… This gutsy, in-yourface debut novel speaks the language of real life for gay teens, that of the ecstasy,
heartache, and humor of first love (and sex), that of daily harassment and fear, that of having
what it takes to stand up and be proud of who you are.”
Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez (FIC SAN)????not on shelf
Nelson Glassman and Kyle Meeks, best friends for many years, are gay teens at Walt
Whitman High School. Kyle becomes romantically involved with basketball jock Jason
Carrillo, while Nelson embarks on a strained relationship with Jeremy, who has tested
positive for HIV. Jason comes out to his teammates and endures public scrutiny on television,
eventually losing his athletic scholarship. On the homefront, Kyle's parents desperately want
him to attend Princeton, although this would mean leaving Jason behind, and Nelson's
mother insists that he end his relationship with Jeremy… Sanchez has written a respectable
sequel to the noteworthy Rainbow Boys.”
SBHS Library
Summer 2012
Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez (FIC SAN)????not on shelf
The final installment of this trilogy is a true winner. Even though coming out publicly resulted
in… Jason Carrillo's losing his college athletic scholarship, it turned him into an important role
model for gay and lesbian teens. And so, when a new GLBT high school in Los Angeles is
searching for a keynote speaker for its opening ceremony, it is not surprising that Jason is
given an all-expenses-paid invitation. His boyfriend, Kyle, definitely wants to be there, too.
And Kyle's best friend–pink-haired, boy-hungry Nelson–has a car… Virginia to L.A. by car:
3000 miles and plenty of time to gain an understanding of what being gay in America is all
about. These boys are distinct personalities and genuine teens, searching for clarity and
identity and acceptance, trying to make sense of themselves and a world that can be equally
bright and dark. Sanchez writes with humor and compassion.”
What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson (FIC WIL)
“Alex and James are only one year apart, but the distance between these brothers is vast.
James, a popular and talented senior, awaits news about his early admission to Duke,
playing tennis and going to parties with his buddies on the weekends. Alex, a junior, is
confused and disoriented after having chugged Pine-Sol at a party, lost all of his friends, and
found himself secretly dating Nathen, one of his brother's best pals. The backdrop is
Tuscaloosa, AL, where Alex knows his emerging sexual identity will never be accepted, and
James fears he will be stuck forever if Duke turns him down… Wilson's novel offers a look
inside the minds of both brothers, allowing readers to experience their parents, their school,
and their town from two distinct points of view, confident and fearful, indifferent and
melancholy, impatient and reflective… In the end, this book may appeal to teens who are
grappling with decisions about the future, the frustrations of family, and the choices that
relationships require of us.”
Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger (FIC WIT)
“John, "a witty misanthrope," meets and falls for zine writer Marisol, a "rich spoiled lesbian
private-school gifted-and-talented writer virgin looking for love." A bittersweet tale of selfexpression and the struggle to achieve self-love.”
Love & Lies: Marisol’s Story by Ellen Wittlinger (FIC WIT)
“Marisol is out and proud at 18, taking a year off to write a novel before starting college, and
working at a coffee shop in Harvard Square. Wittlinger writes lively dialogue exploring
sexuality as part of overall identity, and candidly examines the damage wreaked on
relationships by deception.”
Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger (FIC WIT)
“Wittlinger {introduces} readers to Grady McNair, formerly known as Angela. This fast read
follows Grady through the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas as he comes out as
transgendered, faces issues of acceptance and rejection at school and at home, and falls in
love with the hottest girl in school… Flaws aside, the book is an excellent resource for
building awareness about, and serving the increasing number of, transgendered teens.
Helpful resources include Web sites and further-reading material…Grady eventually decides
that he will always straddle the 50 yard line of gender, and the book should help teens be
comfortable with their own place on that football field.”
SBHS Library
Summer 2012
From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson (FIC WOO)???not on
shelf
Fourteen-year-old Melanin Sun has a lot to say--not out loud, but in notebooks he keeps.
Named for his dark skin, he knows about being on the outside of things. "Difference matters,"
he writes early on. What follows is not the usual identity crisis, however. His mother…tells
him she's in love with a woman--a white one, at that. His reaction is negative, strong, and
hurtful…He comes around because of who he is, not because it's the "right" thing to do.
Woodson has made Melanin an affecting and memorable…character. Once thought "slow" in
school because of his reticence, he is in fact a well-read, gifted young man with a talent for
writing. The author effectively alternates excerpts from his notebooks--the thoughts intended
for his own eyes only--with first-person descriptions of the action.”
Informative Non-Fiction:
GLBT: The Survival Guide for Queer and Questioning Teens by Kelly Huegel
“Although this new edition uses the same basic format and employs most of the text of the
2003 title (Free Spirit), it is still one of the best guides available for queer teens and their
allies. In the same 11 chapters, Huegel unflinchingly and clearly explains what young adults,
parents, and educators want and need to know. There is also a good, expanded chapter on
transgender issues and another about life after high school. The book is enhanced by
interesting sidebar facts and "been there" quotes from young people, with one quibble about
the latter: many of the quotes remain the same but the names have been changed,
apparently to modernize the text. The book also includes an updated glossary and list of
resources, comprised of both books and organizations.”
What If Someone I Know is Gay? Answers to Questions about Gay and Lesbian People
by Eric Marcus?????not on shelf
“Since the first edition of this book appeared in 2000, the LGB..world of Marcus's thoughtful,
original guide for teens has expanded, if not exploded. Statistics prove that the current
generation of teens may be the most tolerant yet, and descriptors like "genderqueer,"
"queerboi," "lesbigay," "intersexed," and "trans" rip through both the media and the lives of
teens across the United States…Perhaps the most blinding omission is relegation of T and Q
(Transgendered and Questioning, respectively) from the LGBTQ/GLBTQ moniker that has
come to describe this community to the resource chapter at the end of the book. That said,
the content still stands strong, and readers will appreciate Marcus's gentle tone and the
careful candor that he uses to describe the sometimes-rocky LGB experience. Helpful
information about gay-straight alliances and marriage and partnership issues are all
addressed, and the addition of a chapter for parents makes for a great starting block on
which to build conversations.”
All annotations are from School Library Journal unless otherwise noted.