Full Disclosure--"To find someone who gets it, who loves you, and to lose them because no one cares about what you're going through--there aren't any words for that

Title: Full Disclosure

Author: Camryn Garrett


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main character lives with her two dads and has dated boys and girls; secondary characters are gay, bisexual, lesbian, and asexual.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Simone was born HIV-positive and keeps this a secret due to harassment she received at her previous school when everyone found out. She's having a successful year in school, with great friends, a job student-directing Rent, and a love interest, Miles, a lacrosse player who encourages her love of musicals. But then Simone receives threatening letters in her locker, stating that if she doesn't break up with Miles because of her HIV, she'll be sorry.


What I think: Last year, I reviewed several books about AIDS and interviewed family and friends for their memories of the AIDS crisis during the 1980s. I was an elementary school student at that time with only memories of Ryan White and no understanding of why people were so scared and so mean to those who were HIV-positive.

Like a Love Story--"Life was once sepia toned, one color, bland. Now it is a rainbow world of excitement and anticipation."

Title: Like a Love Story

Author: Abdi Nazemian


LGBTQ+ Representation: Several characters are gay.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In 1989 New York City, Art is young, out, and proud, and protests with ACT UP to get the government to takes the AIDS crisis seriously. Reza just moved to New York, and he is shy and terrified of being outed. Judy, whose Uncle Stephen is dying of AIDS, dreams of being a fashion designer. Judy begins dating Reza, and her and Art's friendship suffers when Reza and Art fall for each other.


What I think: When I read The Porcupine of Truth, it opened up my eyes about how clueless of a child I was during the late 80s/early 90s AIDS crisis (obviously, the crisis wasn't limited to those years, but those were the years I learned about AIDS). Like a Love Story is now tied with Porcupine for my favorite AIDS-related YA book, and it also takes place during those childhood years of mine.

Just Between Us--"I am not my disease. I am a human being."

Title: Just Between Us
  

Author: J.H. Trumble


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Curtis is home from his freshman year of college, working as a band tech for his old high school band, when he meets band member Luke, and the two are instantly attracted to each other. But just when Curtis decides to act on his feelings for Luke, Curtis takes an HIV test: and it's positive. Depressed and ashamed, Curtis tries to push Luke away, but Luke is determined to be a part of Curtis's life.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  Luke appears as a young, pitiable sophomore in Don't Let Me Go but a mature, confident senior in Where You Are--such a drastic difference; I couldn't wait to read what happened in the year between.

With or Without You--"I always have a story. The only thing worse than needing one is when I don't."

Title: With or Without You

Author: Brian Farrey



What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Tired of being bullied for their sexual orientation, Evan and Davis go to a meeting of the Chasers, a group that promises to teach them "how to be gay" and stand up to bullies. Davis is immediately swept away in the promises of the Chasers, while Evan remains skeptical but determined to protect Davis. Meanwhile, Evan also deals with his apathetic family, his secret boyfriend, and honing his artistic talent through glass-painting.


What I think: Poor Evan has the lowest self-esteem of any main character I've read in a long time. But is it any wonder: Evan and Davis are physically and verbally bullied at school so often, they don't even both letting anyone know; bullying is so much a part of their daily routine. They manage to scrape through their senior year of high school together, remembering that this time the next year, they will be in college in Chicago.

The Porcupine of Truth--Part 2: "I know it's a disease, and I know people used to die of it and that now there's medicine for it"

Title: The Porcupine of Truth

Author: Bill Konigsberg


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Carson is not looking forward to spending the summer with his dying, estranged father in Billings, Montana, who is still angry about the disappearance of his father (Carson's grandfather) over thirty years ago. Carson's summer becomes more interesting when he meets Aisha, a beautiful teenage lesbian who was kicked out of her father's home.  Carson and Aisha vow to find out what happened to Carson's grandfather--why did he leave?  Could he still be alive somewhere?

As I said in Part 1, the last 80 pages of this book affected me so profoundly, I originally planned to write the entire post about them.  Instead, I split the post into 2 parts.

So without further ado, here's part 2!

The Porcupine of Truth--Part 1: "There are so many wise people who have taught us so many wise lessons"

Title: The Porcupine of Truth

Author: Bill Konigsberg


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Carson is not looking forward to spending the summer with his dying, estranged father in Billings, Montana, who is still angry about the disappearance of his father (Carson's grandfather) over thirty years ago. Carson's summer becomes more interesting when he meets Aisha, a beautiful teenage lesbian who was kicked out of her father's home.  Carson and Aisha vow to find out what happened to Carson's grandfather--why did he leave?  Could he still be alive somewhere?

Confession time:  I actually read this book back at the end of July and keep renewing it from the library.  I had this post in draft mode ever since.  It's not that I didn't want to review this book--in fact, Bill Konigsberg's books have inspired me to write a lot; and since this one was my favorite of his books, I wanted this post to be perfect!

Rainbow Road--"A very Sweet Valley Rainbow High road trip!"

Title:  Rainbow Road

Author: Alex Sanchez


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): In the last book of the Rainbow Boys trilogy, Jason receives an invitation from an all-LGBTQ high school in California wanting him to speak, as a star high school athlete, about his public coming-out.  He, Kyle, and Nelson decide to drive to California to have a last adventure before Kyle goes away to Princeton.  The boys get on each others' nerves and learn more about themselves, as you do on a road trip.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): When I read the premise of the book, all I could think of was the SVH book Perfect Summer, one of my favorites, in which the key SVH characters go on bicycle trip, and Jessica meets a hot guy named Robbie October (seriously), somehow a rich girl gets stuck riding with them and she and Lila fight, and the guest nerdy guy (someone's nephew?) saves the group from a forest fire and a bear attack! Road trips in books are SO much more fun real-life road trips!

Rainbow High--"Sweet Valley Rainbow High"

Title: Rainbow High   (Not to be confused with the Evita song that I've been singing all day)

Author: Alex Sanchez


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Jason, Kyle, and Nelson are back in this sequel to Rainbow Boys.  Jason is still struggling to accept his sexuality and is also working to earn a basketball scholarship.  Kyle is in love with Jason and unsure if he wants to leave him to go to Princeton.  Nelson is scared he is HIV-positive and trying to win the love of Jeremy, an HIV-positive boy.

What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Sanchez creates some wonderful, multi-dimensional, believable characters. A review that likens this trilogy to Sweet Valley High explains exactly what I think.  I devoured SVH books as a kid and loved them, even when they veered off into stereotype-world. Rainbow High is a fun and important story in spite of my issues with it.

Two Boys Kissing--"We resent you. You astonish us."

Title: Two Boys Kissing

Author: David Levithan


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Craig and Harry want to set the world's record for the longest kiss.  Peter and Neil are a couple who are going through normal ups and downs in their relationship.  Avery and Ryan have just met, and Cooper is alone and depressed. Snapshots of the lives of each boy are described.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): First of all, this book was one of the most challenged books of 2016, and a lot of the hype was caused by its cover, which is a picture of . . . two boys kissing.  Duh. What else should be on the cover? Oh my goodness, teenagers will discover that gay people exist by looking at the cover even if they don't read the book!!!!

I'm clutching my pearls, guys, for real.

Rainbow Boys--"Its strength is in its well-developed characters"

Title: Rainbow Boys

Author: Alex Sanchez


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Rainbow Boys is a story from the point-of-view of three high school boys:  Jason (the high school jock with the steady girlfriend), Kyle (the quiet kid whose afraid of disappointing his parents), and Nelson (the flamboyant "out" kid).  Jason meets Kyle and Nelson at a meeting for LGBTQ teens, and they become friends and navigate high school while dealing with their homosexuality.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Rainbow Boys was controversial when it first came out (pun intended!), landing at number 48 on the 100 frequently most challenged books of 2000-2009.  Today, Rainbow Boys seems tame compared to other YA books, and its strength is in its well-developed characters.