Far from the Tree--"A fantastic book, but a tear-jerker for sure"

Title: Far from the Tree

Author: Robin Benway


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Sixteen-year-old Grace has just given her baby up for adoption.  Desperate to connect with someone who knows how she feels, Grace decides to search for her birth mother and finds two half-siblings, Joaquin (who has spent his life in foster care) and Maya (whose volatile parents are getting divorced). Together, the newly-united siblings search for their mother but also learn about love, belonging, and what it means to be a family.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I downloaded this e-book to give me something happier to read while I took a break from the intense angst of Call Me by Your Name.  Ha, ha, ha, the joke was on me--I read Far from the Tree--and cried and cried and cried.  A fantastic book, but a tear-jerker.

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit--"A positive representation of an accepting high school youth group"

Title: Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit

Author: Jaye Robin Brown

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): When Jo's evangelical radio preacher dad remarries and moves them from Atlanta to small-town Rome, Georgia, he asks her to be quiet about her sexuality for her senior year. Jo, who has always been out and proud, reluctantly agrees.  At first, she finds it surprisingly easy to fit in with the mainstream straight crowd, but when she falls in love with Mary Carlson, Jo begins to regret the promise she made to her dad and new step-mom.

What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  Georgia Peaches exceeded my expectations because it was not "Dad makes daughter hide who she is to please shrewish new stepmother.  They move to small town of stereotypes that damn all queer people to hell."

Instead, the characters are well-rounded.

George--"READ IT TODAY"

Title: George

Author: Alex Gino


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): People may think she's a boy, but George knows in her heart that she's a girl.  George's mother claims that she might feel differently in a few years; George's friend thinks she's kidding at first; George's teacher won't let her try out for Charlotte in Charlotte's Web.  But George knows who she really is, and she just needs a chance to prove it to everyone.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  I was going write a long review and complain about the stupid schools  in Oregon that think George is inappropriate, "morally toxic," or will "confuse kids," but I can't. I'm tired of those people.

Boy Meets Boy--"Recommended for those who want a fun, light-hearted read"

Title: Boy Meets Boy

Author:  David Levithan

What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Paul's high school is different than the average high school--PFLAG is more popular than the PTO; the cheerleaders ride Harleys; the homecoming queen/football quarterback is a drag queen called Infinite Darlene; LGBTQ students' romances are treated like any other gossip-worthy high school couples.  Paul meets Noah and really likes him but messes things up.  The school bookie says the odds are 12 to 1 against Paul getting Noah back.  Can Paul prove him wrong?

What I think (in 250 words or fewer):  Also in the world of the book, the Homecoming pep rally is called the Homecoming Pride rally (with a quiz bowling team featured), the GSA was formed to help the straight kids learn to dance, and the janitors are super rich due to their on-school-site stock market trading.  I don't know about the teachers, but I'm sure they are millionaires.  I want to live in this world.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson--"You kids get off my lawn"

Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Authors:  John Green and David Levithan


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Will Grayson is in high school and friends with Tiny, the "world's largest person who is really, really gay."  Will is dealing with Tiny's dramatic life of falling in love every two seconds and is matched up with Jane. Meanwhile, another Will Grayson, the same age, is stranded in Chicago after being catfished by his best friend.  He's bummed, so Will#1 sets him up with Tiny, who's thrilled to date the other "Will Grayson."


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): First, I'd like to say that I'm a big fan of the Greens' Crash Course series but not a fan of Green's books.  Katherines was okay; TFIOS was yuck; Alaska was . . . forgettable, since I'm pretty sure I read it, but . . . ?  On the other hand, I've liked most Levithan books I've read.