Goslee, S. J. Whatever.

Goslee, S. J.  Whatever.  Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press     2016  266p  $17.99        ISBN 978-1-62672-399-3  Hardback  hs  Realistic fiction VG

Mike is about to start his junior year of high school, and figures he has it made ... he has his friends, he has his band, and he has his girlfriend Lisa. He and his friends enjoy getting drunk on beer and stoned on pot while they party the last of the summer away. But when Lisa suddenly breaks up with him because she has developed a crush on someone else, Mike’s whole world and concept of himself begins to change. For the first time, he finds that others perceive him as possibly gay, or even bisexual, when the thought had never once occurred to him. He begins to realize that he is attracted to some boys, and he has a whole new aspect of his feelings that he must define and deal with.
The language and situations of the book will probably appeal to high-school students who enjoy realistic literature that deals with sexuality and other everyday concerns of young people. The action is described in the present tense throughout the novel, giving it a sense of immediacy that will also appeal to that group of readers.      

Recommended for upper high-school readers of both sexes who like realistic fiction.

Summary: In this coming-of-age story, Mike gets in touch with his ambivalence about his sexuality and comes to terms with it.  

Sexuality-Fiction, LGBTQ fiction                            —Carol Kennedy

Konigsberg, Bill. Openly Straight.

Konigsberg, Bill.  Openly Straight.  Scholastic/Arthur Levine  2013  320p  ISBN 978-0-545-50989-3       hs  Hardback  VG-BN  Realistic fiction

Tired of being known as “the gay kid”, Rafe Goldberg decides to assume a new persona when he enters an elite prep school.  Konigsberg’s first novel, Out of Pocket, also explored LGBT themes.  Readers who enjoyed that book, or John Green or David Levithan’s treatments of LGBT themes, will also enjoy Openly Straight.  Rich characterization, even (or especially) in secondary characters, make this a memorable volume.  The thoughtful exploration of labeling and self-perception is sure to provide a springboard for lively discussions.

Rafe is from Boulder, Colorado.  He is openly gay and he’s been out since eighth grade.  In this liberal setting, Rafe’s sexuality is a non-issue for his family and friends.  His parents encourage Rafe to accept speaking engagements to advocate tolerance.  He plays soccer, skis, and enjoys writing.  Rafe fits in, but he longs for a role as “Rafe -- a regular guy,” rather than “Rafe -- that gay guy.”  So when Rafe transfers to an all-male east-coast preparatory school, he assumes a new persona as “openly straight.” 

Although the boarding-school setting is somewhat stereotypical, Rafe adjusts to his new environment with a wry sense of humor.  Rafe relishes his role as one of the guys.  He likes fitting in as “just” Rafe.  Everything seems to be going well, until Rafe falls in love with Ben.  The two explore their friendship-possible-romance as Ben tries to come to terms with feelings that, until he met Rafe, he had no clue were even a possibility.  The characters exhibit candid voices dealing with uncomfortable situations and the complications of coming to terms with recognizing and being one’s true self.  

Rafe is an engaging, authentic character.  He isn’t so much pretending to be straight, as he simply fails to mention his homosexuality to anyone.  It is a case of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” with Rafe predictably being outed and the resulting outrage and recriminations of his peers.  Since Rafe is secure in his sexuality, this fallout is not as devastating as it might be for a less confident teen who does not have the fallback of Rafe’s supporters in Colorado.

Summary: Tired of being known as “the gay kid”, Rafe Goldberg decides to assume a new persona when he enters an elite prep school.  Rich characterization make this a memorable volume.  The exploration of labeling and self-perception is sure to provide a springboard for lively discussions.

Sexuality-Fiction, Self-awareness-Fiction                         --Hilary Welliver

Ryan, Tom. Way To Go.

Ryan, Tom.  Way To Go.  Orca  214p  $12.95      978-1-4598-0077-9       hs Good       Realistic Fiction    

When Dan’s friend Kierce berates him for his lack of sexual experience, Dan must decide whether his attraction to males means that he is gay.  A summer job at a new restaurant brings Lisa into his life, and he develops a friendship with her and proves to himself once and for all that he is not attracted to women.  Once he has recognized his sexuality, the next step for Dan is to decide who to tell.  When Dan first shouts out, "I am gay!" to his friend Maisie in a dramatic scene at the beach, her acceptance is easy, natural and authentic.  This gives Dan confidence, although not enough to announce his homosexuality to his family.  There are many positive sides to this book as well as solid conflicts between friends, between Dan and his father, and between Dan and himself.

Thankfully, the message of this novel is not overshadowed by some stereotypes that appear, such as that of a gay person enjoying cooking or that of a gay-bashing friend (Kierce) who cannot reconcile that his best buddy could be uninterested in women.  Dan’s story is one that will entertain and educate; all young readers need to understand not only the importance of trust but also how to navigate the dangerous waters of who and when to trust.   Ryan definitely has something to offer young adults who might be pondering how best to navigate the murky waters of sexual self-discovery.        

Sexuality-Fiction, Friendship-Fiction                  --Martha Squaresky