Freakboy

Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark, Farrar Straus Giroux Books, New York, 2013. ISBN: 978-0374324728

Plot Summary

“Freakboy” is told from the point of view of three different teens. Brendan seems to have the perfect life between his good grades, his wrestling meets, and his beautiful girlfriend, Vanessa.  But Brendan keeps having strange thoughts--like  what would it be like to be a girl, so graceful and beautiful? And how can he be transgender if he still likes being a guy?

Vanessa isn’t sure what’s going on with her boyfriend.  Sure he’s been moody and distant before, but this time it’s different.  She knows she’s not the typical frilly girlfriend--after all, she’s on the school’s wresting team with Brendan. Could her being a tomboy have something to do with Brendan’s distance?

Angel is the beautiful, worldly young woman who works at the local LGBTQ teen center. She’s also transgender and seems to be pretty comfortable with her life and who she is. Motivated by her abusive past, Angel is determined to help other LGBTQ teens get help and find their way. But can she get Brendan the help he needs, especially when he’s not being honest?

Critical Evaluation

The narrative in “Freakboy” has two distinct qualities with its  multiple first person points of view (POV) and being written in verse.  Clark makes it easy to figure out who’s speaking in each chapter, not only by their name at the beginning of their section but also their distinct voices. Brendan’s words are as jumbled as his thoughts, Vanessa ties in her family toward how she’s feeling, and Angel uses descriptions such as the color of the sky to correlate with how she’s feeling. The multiple POV’s helps the reader gain a better understanding into each of the characters, much more than a third person narrative might have.

Being written in verse does several favors for the book.  Readers who are fans of Ellen Hopkins and other YA verse authors will find Clark’s writing style familiar. Despite the book being over 400 pages long, it’s a quick read and reluctant readers will find it easy to get into the plot.  Several of the pages are also written out in different shapes: a T for transgender, a question mark for Brendan’s feelings. While the book does deal with several difficult and challenging topics such as gender identity and depression, the POV’s and verse narrative makes for an easy and diverse read.

Reader’s Annotation

If you like being a guy, but also think about being a girl, does that make you a freak? That’s what Brendan Chase thinks of himself, anyway.

About the Author

“Kristin Elizabeth Clark lives and writes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Northern California. She hikes with her dog and reads to her cats… but she’s not one of THOSE people. Really. She has worked as a child advocate within the juvenile justice system, as a children’s theater producer, and is a proud volunteer at Project Outlet in Mountain View, California. Her young adult debut, Freakboy, was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on October 22^nd, 2013.”

(Bio. Retrieved  November 19^th, 2014 from http://kristinelizabethclark.com/about/)

Genres

LGBTQ

Contemporary/Coming of Age 

Verse

Curriculum Ties:

Poetry

Booktalking Ideas

1: Is it easier or harder to express your thoughts through verse?

2: Which of the three characters do you relate with most?

Reading Level/Interest Age

14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

LGBTQ

Mentions of depression/suicide

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included “Freakboy,” because it’s a newer YA book dealing with gender identity. I also loved the beautiful verse it was written in.

Luna

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Luna by Julie Anne Peters, Hachette Book Group, New York, 2004. ISBN: 978-0316011273

Plot Summary

Regan is getting tired of hiding a secret from everyone she knows. Her older brother golden boy Liam, is actually transgender. Nobody else knows about Luna, Liam’s true self, except for Regan, and it’s getting harder to keep the secret. Their dad wants Liam to try out for sports and have a girlfriend like any other ‘normal’ teenage boy. And their mom is too busy with her wedding planning business to notice anything strange going on.

Regan just wants a normal life--one where she understands her chemistry class, has friends, and maybe even start dating Chris, the new, cute guy who seems to like her. But when Liam tells Regan he wants to transition and tell his family and friends about Luna, Regan knows any chance at a normal life is over. Now Luna wants to go out shopping, go to malls and shops, and act like a normal teenage girl. But what will happen when Luna’s secret gets out? How will their parents and friends respond?

Critical Evaluation

It’s easy to identify with both Regan and Liam/Luna.  Regan may not think of herself as a typical teen girl, but she still worries about school, boys, and friends, like many teens do.  Readers can also relate to Regan’s feelings about keeping her brother’s secret: many teens have been in the same position, regardless of what the secret is. Regan is also trying to find out her own identity, as she wants to be her own person, and not just simply Liam’s sister. Trying to set themselves apart from their siblings is something many teens and even adults can identify with. The audience can also identify with Liam/Luna's struggle to be her true self, despite what others might think.

I found the relationship between Regan and Luna to be realistic and emotional. Regan loves her sibling, but  at the same time finds herself embarrassed and annoyed when Luna comes out.  Despite Regan’s thoughts that Luna has ruined and betrayed her, she does come back and help out her sister by going shopping with her, or continuing to keep her secret.  Like many ‘real life’ sibling relationships, Regan and Luna’s relationship isn’t perfect.  They scream, cry, and say terrible things to each other.  But both Regan and Luna realize that as sisters, they will always be there for each other.  

Reader’s Annotation

How much does Regan love her brother? Enough to keep his true self, Luna, safe.

About the Author

 “Julie Anne Peters is the critically-acclaimed, award winning author of more than a dozen books for young adults and children. Her book, Luna, was a National Book Award Finalist; Keeping You a Secret  was named a Stonewall Honor Book; Between Mom and Jo won a Lambda Literary Award; and Define “Normal” was voted by young readers as their favorite book of the year in California and Maryland. Julie’s books have been published in numerous countries, including Korea, China, Croatia, Germany, France, Italy, Indonesia, Turkey, and Brazil.”

“To deal with the devastating possibility that I might have actually failed at my SECOND career choice, I began to write. What came out of me were stories and books for young people. They took me back to the time in my life when the decisions I made, the paths I chose, determined the kind of person I would become.  I still live in Colorado, in the 'burbs. My partner Sherri and I met in college, and we’ve been together ever since. Our home sits on a hill with a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks along the Continental Divide. There's a skulk of foxes (that's what my Thesaurus calls them) who've laid claim to our neighborhood, along with the occasional coyote on the prowl for good garbage digs.

My neighbors think I'm slumming because I stay home all day. But they can't see all the places I go to in my mind. Amazing, exciting, happy, sad, horrible, wonderful places. Yeah, okay, these may be psychotic episodes brought on by lack of human contact, but I like to think my brain is a breeding ground for stories. Something is always festering in there. So, readers, sit tight; you're in for a rocky ride. I promise you one thing—it'll be noisy, but fun.”

(My True Story.  Retrieved  November 19^th, 2014 from http://www.julieannepeters.com/files/JPBio.htm)

Genres

LGBTQ

Contemporary/Coming of Age 

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1:  Keeping a secret: when is it okay, when does it become unhealthy?

2: Being true to yourself, despite what others think.

Reading Level/Interest Age

14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

LGBTQ

Language

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included “Luna” for its themes on gender identity. I also loved the relationship between Regan and Luna.

Rumble

Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

Rumble by Ellen Hopkins. Margaret K. McElderry Books, New York City, 2014. ISBN: 978-1442482845

Summary

Written in verse, Rumble is the story of Matthew Turner. Matt's younger brother, Luke, just committed suicide after one of his friends embarrassed and outed him to his school.  Matt blames himself for not being there for Luke, as well as his supposed ‘friend,’ who started the bullying.  Matt’s family is also falling apart: not speaking to each other and not taking the loss of Luke too well.

Family, friends, and classmates are all telling Matt it will get better. But hearing that is almost as worse as hearing “God has a plan.” An atheist, Matt doesn’t believe in any sort of god, or that everything happens for a reason. How can anyone explain that what happened to Luke was good or right? As he lashes out against the idea of religion, Matt’s girlfriend, Hayden, grows concerned. She’s a strong, born again Christian who never understood why Matt doesn’t believe in anything. But despite this huge difference, Matt and Hayden love each other and respect each other for the most part—until Hayden’s father speaks out against gays in their community, and challenges library books dealing with gay and lesbian content.

Critical Evaluation 

While there are many subject themes going on in this novel—religion, bullying, the loss of a sibling—Hopkins manages to give enough attention to each of them. The characters themselves also juggle this multitude of themes well, with no stereotypical or flat beliefs to be found. Despite his initial anger at the beginning of the novel, Matt is believable and vulnerable throughout his grieving process. While his brother’s suicide is a main focus of the novel, its themes go beyond grief and loss. One of the strongest themes is religion, and how Matt, Hayden, and Matt’s parent’s view religion and God.  The frank discussions and emotions toward organized religion and faith make this novel stand out from other similar titles. And while Matt doesn’t sway in his values nor has a ‘come to religion’ moment, he does have an understanding that even he cannot explain everything out there.

The subject content and strong language makes Rumble a better read for older teens. With plenty of hot button issues and beautiful verse, Rumble is perfect for Hopkins fans, old and new.

Reader’s Annotation

After his brother commits suicide, Matt struggles with his grief and lack of faith for something better.

About the Author

 “I was adopted at birth and raised by a great, loving older couple. I grew up in Palm Springs CA, although we summered in Napa and Lake Tahoe, to avoid those 120 degree summers. After my adopted parents died, I did find my birth mother, who lives in Michigan with my half sister. 
I studied journalism in college, but left school to marry, raise kids and start my own business--a video store, before the mega-chains were out there. After a divorce, I met my current husband and we moved to Tahoe to become ski bums and otherwise try to find our dreams. At that time, I went to work for a small alternative press, writing stories and eventually editing.
When we moved down the mountain to the Reno area, I started writing nonfiction books, many of which you can see here. The rest are viewable on my personal website. I also continued to freelance articles for newspapers and magazines. All that has changed, with the publication of my novel, CRANK, which has led to a valued career writing YA novels.”

 (Ellen Hopkins.  Retrieved October 30th 2014 from http://www.amazon.com/Ellen-Hopkins/e/B001H6OOSA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1)

Genres

Verse

Contemporary

LGBTQ

Religion  

Curriculum Ties

Poetry/English

Booktalking Ideas

1: Why did Matt blame himself so much for Luke’s death and his family falling apart?

2: The religious aspect of the plot: how it changed the story.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Religious Content

Language

Mentions of suicide and violence

Sexual situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included Rumble because Ellen Hopkins is a favorite YA author in our district. I also liked the different plot aspects and how the book was written in verse. 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York City, 2012. ISBN: 978-1442408920

Summary

Fifteen year old Aristotle, known as Ari, is headed into another bored, lonely summer. He has no friends to hang out with and there's nothing to do in his small town.  He’s the only child left at home after his older sisters left and his older brother went to jail. His mother is too busy with her job and her friends, and Ari’s father is silent and solemn, never talking with his son about his life or his memories of the Vietnam War.

Just when Ari thinks he’ll have another miserable summer, he meets Dante at the community pool. Dante is quiet and has a funny voice, but offers to teach Ari how to swim. Their swimming lessons grow to sharing comic books, and spending time at each other’s houses throughout the summer. Dante is the only one who understands Ari: his strained relationship with his father, his Mexican identity, and confusion about his identity.  With Dante, Ari feels like he can finally be himself. But is he ready to share his true self with his parents and family, or will he shut out all the emotions he feels with Dante?

Critical Evaluation

Aristotle and Dante is much more than a friendship or a LGBTQ novel.   While Ari’s conflicting feelings about his sexuality and his relationship with Dante is a central plot point, the novel is more about Ari coming to terms with who he is. His fragile relationship with his father, his questions about his older brother, and figuring out what makes his happy is something that Ari struggles with throughout the book. Dante’s friendship not only makes Ari feel important, but also helps him sort out through his emotions about his family and himself.

With lyrical prose and beautiful descriptions of Texas culture and landscape, Aristotle and Dante's pace is slow and sweet, most of the plot unfolding over the course of four years.  Saenz gives enough time to develop the friendship between the two boys, without making their relationship too rushed or forced. 

The narrative style is at times broken and jumbled, but it  works for the confusion  that Ari is facing.  Saenz does a nice job describing the cultural influence of Ari and Dante’s Hispanic heritage without bombarding the audience with too many confusing terms and experiences.   The setting of El Paso, Texas, in 1987 is a nice change as well, with several 80'3 pop culture references. At almost 400 pages,the slow pace of the story may be a turn off for some readers.  But for those willing to try it, Aristotle and Dante is a beautiful tale of friendship and finding oneself.

Reader’s Annotation

Have you ever felt alone and misunderstood? Aristotle did, at least until he met a quiet, funny voiced boy named Dante.

About the Author

 “Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an author of poetry and prose for adults and teens. He is the winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the American Book Award for his books for adults. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was a Printz Honor Book, the Stonewall Award winner, the Pura Belpre Award winner, the Lambda Literary Award winner, and a finalist for the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award. His first novel for teens, Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood, was an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His second book for teens, He Forgot to Say Goodbye, won the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, the Southwest Book Award, and was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. He teaches creative writing at the University of Texas, El Paso.”

 (Benjamin Alire Saenz.   Retrieved September 28^th, 2014  from http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Benjamin-Alire-Saenz/44544494)

Genres

LGBTQ

Coming of Age

Friendship

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Why was it so hard for Ari to accept his family did love him?

2: In what ways did Dante change Ari’s life?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

LGBTQ

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included Aristotle and Dante for its emotional, beautiful writing, and the strong relationship between the two characters.