Fan Art

April 21, 2014
A high school literary magazine becomes the vehicle for a number of awakenings in Tregay’s (Love and Leftovers) tender coming-of-age-and-coming-out story. Narrator Jamie has been open about his sexuality to his parents since ninth grade but, fearing rejection, he heads toward graduation still closeted from his best friend, Mason, with whom he is falling in love. Though Jamie isn’t the rebellious type, when the literary magazine’s board tries to avoid controversy by rejecting a lesbian student’s comic (illustrated by DeJesus and not seen by PW) depicting love between two boys, Jamie’s righteous indignation propels him to take unorthodox steps to address their prejudice. Poems by classmates, some anonymous, appear between chapters, providing poignant insight into supporting characters’ inner lives. Suspense builds as Jamie’s fear blinds him to signals readers will likely discern. The school’s factions are refreshingly nuanced, not stereotyped; a lack of understanding does not equate with meanness. The fact that even with supportive adults, encouraging friends, and a gay-straight alliance, coming out can be a daunting prospect will make this story resonate with readers. Ages 13–up. Agent: Danielle Chiotti, Upstart Crow Literary.

May 1, 2014
Picking a prom date is tricky, particularly when you can't decide which sex to ask. To any observer, high school senior Jamie Peterson, designer of the school literary magazine, coasts along with the support of a loving family, an uncommon level of popularity and the camaraderie of his longtime best friend, Mason. As the year draws to a close, he struggles with the eternal question: Whom will he ask to prom? The discovery that Mason is taking a girl makes Jamie jealous. Though Jamie is gay and out to his family (his parents demonstrate Boy Meets Boy utopian support), he isn't out at school. When he realizes his jealousy and subsequent fantasies about dreamy Mason are reason enough to come out, he second-, third- and fourth-guesses himself, not wanting to ruin the friendship. A clutch of perceptive female classmates sees Jamie's turmoil and roots for him to make a move, an enthusiasm that could ultimately humiliate both Jamie and Mason. Though the main characters are well-realized, a flood of minor characters introduced at the start of the book and sporadically thereafter proves more distracting than pertinent. The portrait of a half-in, half-out gay teen seen as confident by everyone but himself is touching, though the message to accept diversity is occasionally more didactic than encouraging.A sweet, quasi-coming-out love story with a bass line tailored for art and design fanatics. (Fiction. 13-18)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Jamie has problems on top of problems. He's not out at school, he's just realized he's in love with his best friend, and everyone seems to know it. Will coming out and coming clean ruin not only the tail end of senior year, but the college future he's planned? This title provides gay teen readers with the sympathetic ache of romance that they may not find with run-of-the-mill heterosexual romantic fiction, and for that reason alone it should be included in collections that are trying to build their LGBQT content. However, as a novel on its own merits, this one falls flat. Outside of the central romantic longing, the relationships are poorly fleshed out and seem stilted and unrealistic. The main character's conflict around acceptance is strange considering all the concrete support demonstrated around him, especially juxtaposed with the challenges his closeted lesbian friend faces. The pacing and plotting are also odd, with events seeming to take place over months instead of days and then days instead of weeks. If a collection of YA LGBQT titles is well developed, there is no need for this uneven book.-L. Lee Butler, Stoughton High School, MA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Grades 8-11 Jamie is perfectly happy to stay closeted at school, particularly when it comes to his best friend, Mason. If Mason found out he was gaylet alone probably in love with himJamie is sure that Mason would never speak to him again. So Jamie focuses on editing his school's literary magazine, which is the perfect distractionuntil someone submits a short comic (included) about two boys falling in love, and the lit-mag staff are divided over the homosexual content. As Jamie becomes more embroiled in the controversy and closer to new friends in the Gay-Straight Alliance, he feels mounting pressure to come out and admit his true feelings for Mason. In a light and earnest first-person narrative, Jamie reveals his insecurities and the walls he constructs to protect himself, and it's gratifying to watch him gain confidence and choose to not hide anymore. Tregay handles homophobia gently, which, along with the happy ending and refreshingly supportive community, makes this a breezy romance with just enough light drama to keep its feet on the ground.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
Everyone in art class knows that Jamie loves Mason...except Mason. Caught between a desire to profess his feelings and a need to preserve the boys' best-friendship, Jamie struggles to come to terms with his complicated emotions. Meanwhile, his art friends are determined to play matchmaker. An exploration of the boundaries (real and perceived) in friendships, this is a refreshing love story.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)