LGBTQ

Title: Boy Meets Boy 
Author: David Levithan
Publishing Info: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005
ISBN: 0375832998
Genre: Romance, Fiction, LGBTQ
Awards: Lambda Literary Foundation Award (2003), ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2004)
Author Info: David Levithan debuted with his novel Boy Meets Boy in 2003 and has been writing both YA and adult books ever since. David just released his 16th novel this fall and has had great success. His book Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist was turned into a movie and his debut novel broke new ground upon it's release. David claims that he had a terrible well-adjusted childhood and so far adulthood seems to be treating him well. David is also the publisher and editorial director for Scholastic. He also developed PUSH which seeks out new writers in teen literature.
Plot Summary: Paul is a gay high school sophomore who attends a high school like no other. For one thing Paul's high school has a transvestite quarterback named Infinite Darlene. And when the Boy Scouts wouldn't accepting gay members his town formed the Joy Scouts instead. Then enters Noah who is new to the school and Paul falls for him but high school is complicated and relationships aren't easy. Paul struggles to balance his new relationship as well as heal an old one with his ex-boyfriend, Kyle who had spread rumors about Paul after their breakup. To make matters worse, Paul's best friend Joni is barely speaking to him and spends all her time with her jerk boyfriend Chuck. Then there is Paul's gay friend Tony who is struggling to deal with his ultraconservative parents who don't approve oh his gay lifestyle. Can Paul balance all his relationships and still keep Noah?
Critical Review: Boy Meets Boy is a very sweet love story that just happens to feature two teenage boys. The fact that they are gay is just a detail of the story rather than the focus. Instead the book really focuses on relationships like the one between Paul and Noah as well as the other relationships that Paul has with his friends and family. It explores the ups and downs of relationships with all their complications. The book really highlights that no matter what kind of relationship whether romantic, gay or straight they all have problems and all people go through similar problems in their own life. Levithan really makes Paul's issues very relatable and shows that gay teens struggle through many of the same problems as straight teens, it in a way helps normalizes the gay lifestyle. It's refreshing to see a book not focus so much on the issues of being gay but rather just the issues of being a teenager and managing relationships with people. This could really help teens who are may be gay realize that they aren't that different from their straight friends, that they are in deed normal.
Reader's Annotation: Paul is your typical high schooler well if you don't include his transvestite quarterback friend Infinite Darlene, but at Paul's high school Infinite Darlene is pretty typical. Paul falls for Noah, a new student but seems aren't always as easy as it seems. When Paul's ex boyfriend tries to get him back Noah isn't too thrilled. Will Paul loose Noah or can he some how balance his relationships and still get through high school?
Book Talk Ideas: For the book talk I think focusing more on the relationships is important. Some teens might get hung up on that it's two boys rather than it's a love story between two people. So I think it's important to put the focus on the relationship end. Like Paul's relationship with his ex, with his best friend who is drifting away and his new relationship with Paul. Teens will relate to that whether they are gay or straight.
Reading Level/Interest Level: The reading level is not difficult so it would be around middle school to high school. The interest level is also middle school and high school.
Curriculum Ties: The book could be tied into a maybe a program on National Coming Out Day which is in October. The day is to support LGBTQ and educate people in hopes of creating more tolerance to different lifestyles.
Challenge Issues: Any book that features a gay relationship is sure to upset some people who find objections the the gay lifestyle. They may feel the story normalizes the gay lifestyle and that it is some how part of a "gay agenda".

Why Include this book? The book represents a gay high school relationship and shows that it is much like a straight relationship. It can help teens who are gay feel more accepted and normal with their relationships because they are being represented in a positive light in literature. Also, David Levithan wrote a great book that is enjoyable to read and teens looking for a romance will enjoy the love story he has created.

Title: Will Grayson Will Grayson 
Authors: John Green and David Levithan
Publishing Info: Dutton Children's, 2010
ISBN: 0525421580
Awards: YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011), Children's Choice Book Award Nominee for Teen Choice Book of the Year (2011)
Genre: realistic fiction, LGBTQ
Author Info: David Levithan debuted with his novel Boy Meets Boy in 2003 and has been writing both YA and adult books ever since. David just released his 16th novel this fall and has had great success. His book Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist was turned into a movie and his debut novel broke new ground upon it's release. David claims that he had a terrible well-adjusted childhood and so far adulthood seems to be treating him well. David is also the publisher and editorial director for Scholastic. He also developed PUSH which seeks out new writers in teen literature.
John Green is an award winning and New York Times best selling author. He is runs several successful Youtube channels including the Vlogbrothers. The Vlogborthers is a videoblog between him and his younger brother Hank Green that they started back in 2007. It has lead to the development of the Nerdfighters, a group that celebrates all things nerdy and try to decrease world suck through charitable donations and activism. John also has an educational youtube channel called Crash Course that produces short educational videos on history. John is married with a son and is an extremely interactive author with his fans. He communicates with them through Twitter, Youtube, and his tumbler account. John tours the world talking about his books and his various side projects. Before John's career took off as a write he worked for the magazine Booklist. It was there that he started working on his debut novel and became friends with Irene Cooper, who John credits for his writing success. John's debut novel won him a Printz Award and critical acclaim. Since then John has released 7 books, 2 of those were collaborations with other authors. His most recent book has named by many critics as the best novel of 2012.
Plot Summary: The story focuses on two high school boys named Will Grayson. One Will Grayson is a straight wallflower who tries to get through life by talking as little as possible. Will Grayson believes the more you can blend in the better. Though having your best friend be a giant, loud, flamboyant gay guy name Tiny who often breaks out in song isn't helping Will Grayson keep a low profile. Then there is the other Will Grayson. Will Grayson is also a bit of loner, who spends most of his days struggling with his depression. The only things he looks forward to is talk to a guy namedIsaac online. Will Grayson is gay but has never told anyone. Then one night the two Will Grayson's cross paths outside a porn store in downtown Chicago and their lives are never the same. Can both of them learn to stop out from the shadows and live life or will they both be content to watch things from the sidelines.
Critical Review: The story is told in alternating chapters, going between the two Will Grayson's. John Green is the voice of straight Will Grayson, while David Levithan is the voice of gay Will Grayson. Both characters have a distinct voice and Levithan write's his Will Grayson with no capitalization. This I think helps convey the idea his Will Grayson lives life in a constant feeling of just trying to get by. He is on a number of medicines to battle his depression and the side effect is that he almost seems to never have any emotion, good or bad. The story moves quickly and makes for a fun read.
Reader's Annotation: The last thing high schooler Will Grayson expected to find in a porn store in downtown Chicago is another high schooler named Will Grayson. But that is exactly what happens. Now their lives seems to be overlapping due to the one Will Grayson's openly gay and flamboyant friend Tiny who is everything but tiny and his musical. But when both Will Grayson's are trying to stay out of the limelight how will they deal with Tiny suddenly thrusting them both into it?
Book Talk Ideas: For this book talk it would be great to represent both voices of Will Grayson with either two people doing the book talk or at least two separate view points. The focus should be on how these two lives intercept and seem to keep meeting up through out the story.
Reading Level/Interest Level: The language and content is for older high school student.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book has quite a few things that some may take issues with. There is a lot foul language, talk of sex, teens with fake IDs, and there is a big focus on gay teens.

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Publishing Info: MTV books, New York, NY, 1999
ISBN: 0-671-02734-4
Genre: realistic fiction, LGBTQ
Author Info:
Plot Summary: Charlie narrates the story through letters addressed to Dear Friend. Charlie is an introvert about to enter his freshman year of high school. He feels very much alone since his best friend committed suicide only a few months earlier. Charlie soon makes friends with Sam and her step-brother Patrick. They introduce Charlie to sex, drugs and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Charlie starts to fall for Sam and struggles with his own mental state. The book deals with Charlie struggling to find his place in the world and how to step out of his shell and participate in life rather than just watching it from the sidelines as a wallflower.
Critical Review: Since the book is told in letters from Charlie is feels very personal, like Charlie is expressing his hidden feelings and thoughts. Charlie deals with a lot of heavy issues in his letters, from depression, anxiety, sexuality, drugs, sexual abuse and his struggle to find out who he is. But the story never feels dragged down by these issues due to the characters in Charlie's life. Sam and Patrick are wonderful characters who despite their own faults and struggles support Charlie and help pull him out of his shell. While Charlie is not gay, Patrick is and his struggle with dating a football player who is still in the closet is a well told story. Charlie watches Patrick as he deals with rejection and the fallout from Brad's dad finding out. The scene in which Charlie stands up for Patrick is one of my favorites because I think it really shows that Charlie is no longer a passive observer but rather he is an active participant.
Reader Annotation: Charlie was content on being a wallflower and just watching life go by. But then Charlie meets Sam and Patrick and it isn't long before they are introducing him to life with all it's highs and lows. But will Charlie be able to deal with life and all that it has in store for him or will he retreat into the background.
Book Talking Ideas: The book talk should be done in letter form, perhaps a letter from Charlie like in the book. There is something very personal about a letter that reader's will gravitate towards.
Reading/Interest Level: highschool
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book deals with lots of hot button topics: sex, drugs, homosexuality, sexual abuse and it contains swearing.

Title: Weetzie Bat
Author: Francesca Lia Block
Publishing Info: Harper Teen, 2004
ISBN: 0060736254
Genre: fiction, magical realism, LGBTQ
Author Info: Francesca Lia Block is known for groundbreaking novels that she describes as "contemporary fairy tales with an edge". She uses magical realism to help deal with the harshness of reality. She is the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award and the Phoenix Award. Block was born in L.A where she still lives and works. She has written over 30 books and still continues to write both YA and adult books.
Plot Summary: Weetzie is living in L.A with her mother while her dad is in New York. Weetzie doesn't seem to fit in at school but befriends the hottest guy in school, Dirk who comes out to Weetzie. The two become best friends and find a genie who grants them three wishes. Their dreams of a house and a "Duck" for Dirk and a "Secret Agent Lover Man" for Weetzie come true but life isn't perfect for them. Things start to go wrong when Weetzie decides she wants to be a mom despite Secret Agent Lover Man's protests. The book seems to walk the line of magical wimsy and realism and has the reader wondering if Weetzie and Dirk can live happily ever after in Shangri-LA.
Critical Review: The book is a quick and simple read. The book at times can seem almost to superficial, and the characters don't feel quite developed. But despite this the book is an enjoyable read with fun characters. They seem to have a great love for each other and for life. Block addresses some pretty complex issues with a simplicity that seems effortless. Block tends to introduce problems or issues and the just float along to the next part of the story. It's what makes the story enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. Thankfully the book is part of series so the reader can read more to gain more details about the strange life of Weetzie Bat.
Reader Annotation: Weetzie lives in L.A, or she calls it Shangri-LA and when a genie gives her and her best friend Dirk a beautiful house and the loves of their life what else could they want? Well it seems that Weetzie wants not only Secret Agent Lover Man but a baby as well. But when she wants Dirk and Duck to be parents as well Secret Agent Lover Man isn't too happy. Can Weetzie live the life she's always wanted or is happily ever after out of her reach.
Book Talking Ideas: Weetzie Bat is a difficult book to book talk since it is a very unique story. The magical realism of the book is quite unique so for the book talk I would highlight the unique parts of the  story: Secret Agent Lover Man, Duck, the genie, Cherokee and Witch baby. Another theme to focus on is love, which the story focuses on. There is many types of love shared in the book from daughter and father , to best friends and lovers.
Reading/Interest Level: The reading level is middle school but the book will probably appeal to high school students, especially some struggling readers since the book is short and a quick read.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: There is drinking, sex and homosexuality in the book which could be found offense for some.