Random Reads
Teen Book Reviews by Anne Keller
The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
It's Dade's last summer at home before he starts college in the fall. His boyfriend Pablo won't publicly acknowledge their relationship since he has a girlfriend. Dade has a job he hates at Food World and his parents relationship is on the rocks. Then Dade meets Alex, a mysterious boy who sells pot and Lucy who's staying with a neighbor since her own parents can't accept that she's gay. Dade's summer starts to look up. A surprise ending may leave readers shocked. My colleague couldn't put this book down but this reader wasn't overly impressed.
Out of the Pocket by Bill Konisburg
Bobby is the star quarterback of his high school football team. He's expected to be recruited by top universities. He's one of the most popular boys in his high school. He's well liked and respected by everyone. But Bobby has a deep secret that is tearing him apart. He's gay. He's afraid to come out because there are no openly gay athletes in the NFL or men's professional sports for that matter. When a trusted friend spills his secret, Bobby becomes national news. This book is full of football action, emotion, and told in a thought provoking manner. It's realistic, powerful, and raw with emotion. This reader couldn't put it down.
Freak Show by James St. James
Creative. Bizarre. Innovative. Tragic. Break-out topic. Hilarious. These are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind after I read this extraordinarily different novel. Billy Bloom is not your typical high school student. He transfers to an ultra-conservative school that's clearly not ready for Billy Bloom, Drag Queen. Billy's eccentric and quirky dress style lands him in the hospital after a severe beating. Determined to "pave the way" for future outcasts, Billy decides to run for homecoming queen. Billy even finds love with the popular high school quarterback. This novel is definitely for older teens who won't soon forget this bizarre tale.
Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger
Angela is a high school junior who's made an important decision, she's changed her name to Grady and begins living as a boy. Grady encounters many different levels of hostility and support throughout his transformation. Grady's family is supportive but many classmates are not so understanding. Wittlinger tackles this complicated subject in a thought provoking manner which many teens will easily identify with. If teens enjoyed reading this novel, they should also check out Julie Ann Peters novel Luna.
Far From Xandu by Julie Anne Peters
Mary-Elizabeth, aka Mike, lives in a small Kansas town where everyone knows that she is gay. The town accepts her even though Mike doesn't embrace it the way her best friend Jamie accepts his homosexuality. Mike is busy dealing with her father's suicide, playing softball, working out, and falling for the new girl in class, Xanadu. The only problem is that Xanadu is straight and in love with somebody else. Mike and Xanadu become best friends and Mike falls hard for her. In a moment of weakness, Mike reveals her true feelings for Xanadu. How will Xanadu react? Readers will be absorbed in Mike's struggle to accept her own identity and readers will remember these characters for years to come.
Julie Anne Peters does an excellent job in this breakout novel about a transgender teen who struggles with his identity. Peters tells this story through the eyes of the sister whose brother wants to be a female. Liam is a senior in high school and feels trapped inside his body. He is a boy during the day, but at night he transforms himself into Luna, the woman he is ready to become. Regan is supportive of her brother by keeping his secret, lending him make-up, and sharing her clothes. Liam is ready to introduce Luna to the world and to his parents who are in denial. Peters brilliantly portrays the struggles and emotions that a person would experience in trying to discover their identity. The novel deals with this breakout topic in young adult literature in a sensitive manner. By using the Regan as the main character, the reader sees the emotions that a family would experience while her brother struggles for self acceptance. One of the things I loved about this novel is the ending. Bravo Peters! Between Mom and Jo by Julie Ann Peters
Nick lives with his two mothers that are gay. His upbringing is filled with love because he thinks he has the greatest moms in the entire world. Despite his happy family life, he endures constant ridicule and taunting from his classmates that plays a minor role in this story. Nick's entire world is shattered when his birth mother and Jo break-up. Nick desperately wants to live with Jo but his birth mother has sole custody and refuses Nick's wish. He begins to have emotional problems as he struggles to accept his new living situation. Peters delivers a powerful story which addresses the issue of gay parenting in a dignified and worthy manner. She cleverly captures the raw emotions of all parties involved. Julie Ann Peters demonstrates that she is not afraid to tackle breakout topics as she did in her highly acclaimed novel Luna.
This novel is about a lesbian relationship between Liza and Annie, both 17 years old. The two girls share many of the same interests and hobbies and they quickly form a friendship that grows much stronger and deeper. Liza attends a private school and Annie attends public school. As their relationship progresses, they are eventually discovered while Liza is housesitting for two of her teachers who are also lovers. Liza and Annie's relationship as well as the two teachers situations are made public. The news is upsetting on all fronts when the teachers are fired and Liza is almost expelled. The novel delicately addresses the issue of homosexuality and concludes that love is love after all. The author does an excellent job of portraying intellectual and insightful characters who grapple with issues of homosexuality in an authentic and truthful manner. Since the book was written in 1982, there have been more brilliantly written novels that deal with this issue in an effective and believable style. 
Myracle's debut novel is about a sixteen year old girl struggling with her sexual identity. Lissa has been best friends with Kate since the seventh grade. Lissa lives with her sister and uncle since her parents were killed. One night at a party, the girls are drunk and share a passionate kiss. Lissa initiates the kiss and Kate kisses her back. Afterwards, Kate does not want to talk about the event and begins ignoring Lissa. Lissa is struggling to come to terms with her sexual identity and the loss of her best friend. She wonders if she could possibly be gay, if she is attracted to Kate, or if they were just being silly and drunk. Secondary characters that Lissa works with at the catering business provide a pleasant distraction for Lissa as she tries to come to terms with what has happened. Readers will become absorbed in the storyline and race to the end to see how the situation is resolved.