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4.53 AVERAGE
4.53 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm a fan of Mr. Green's other YA stories, which usually feature hapless, ridiculous young men who are endearing and maddening in equal measure. This story also features endearing young men, but it's a more serious story than Mr. Green's usual offerings. It is also based on Mr. Green's own teenage experience.
Because Section 28 made it illegal to "promote" homosexuality to schoolchildren, all Jamie really knows about homosexuals is they're likely to die of AIDS. He doesn't recognize that he might be gay himself. A librarian at his school (with good gaydar) insists he check out a book on wildflowers. It turns out to be a decoy cover, and the story within is about two teenage boys falling in love. A previous reader has made notes in the margins wondering if anyone else sees themselves in these pages. Jamie dares to reply, and he and this mystery boy correspond via book for a while, but eventually that isn't enough.
This is a story about self-acceptance, bravery, and love. It makes palpable how repressive societies have been and are probably still capable of being.
I don't think Mr. Green can write a book without some ridiculousness, and there is some of that here in the form of an imaginary friend named Electra.
Because Section 28 made it illegal to "promote" homosexuality to schoolchildren, all Jamie really knows about homosexuals is they're likely to die of AIDS. He doesn't recognize that he might be gay himself. A librarian at his school (with good gaydar) insists he check out a book on wildflowers. It turns out to be a decoy cover, and the story within is about two teenage boys falling in love. A previous reader has made notes in the margins wondering if anyone else sees themselves in these pages. Jamie dares to reply, and he and this mystery boy correspond via book for a while, but eventually that isn't enough.
This is a story about self-acceptance, bravery, and love. It makes palpable how repressive societies have been and are probably still capable of being.
I don't think Mr. Green can write a book without some ridiculousness, and there is some of that here in the form of an imaginary friend named Electra.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Outing, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a well written, blistering criticism of both Section 28 and society today, that I couldn’t put it down from the moment I started it. The use of footnotes I didn’t mind but I can see how it could frustrate readers, but for me they worked out well. Jamie is wonderful, and Mrs C is a frankly iconic librarian that we should all aspire to be a bit more like. Rage against the system! 🏳️🌈