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amberhayward's review
3.0
I think I found this because I knew Francesca Lia Block had a story in it. It was pretty good and I think that most high school kids, gay or otherwise, should have the opportunity to read this. It is a pretty excellent volume of short stories.
mesy_mark's review
3.0
A now odd book that is an enjoyment to read. I liked some tales and stories more than others. Like how I love the opening story and ending story but disliked Supper and Blood Sister
Getting around to being twenty years old I wonder how the authors would take their tales now in this ever-changing environment for those who are gay or lesbian.
Getting around to being twenty years old I wonder how the authors would take their tales now in this ever-changing environment for those who are gay or lesbian.
sausome's review
4.0
This is a great anthology about coming out, accepting one's self, and exploring emotions deemed "abnormal" by the overarching society. Some stories are better than others, as with any anthology, but the range of authors is amazing! Marion Dane Bauer, Francesca Lia Block (Weetzie Bat), Leslea Newman (Heather Has Two Mommies), Nancy Garden (Annie On My Mind), Gregory Maguire (Wicked), Lois Lowry (The Giver), Jacqueline Woodson (The House You Pass On the Way), Jane Yolen (Sister Light, Sister Dark) and many more. My favorites were "Blood Sister" by Jane Yolen, and "Parent's Night" by Nancy Garden.
amyjmcmillan's review
5.0
This is a great book with all kinds of coming out stories. It is written especially for teens, but anyone would enjoy it. Also, there are some famous YA and children's authors, such as Lois Lowry.
ari__s's review
3.0
Thoughts:
It is hard to read a queer lit book that was written in the early 90s. Put differently: I was born in '92 and my views/opinions/understandings of what it is to be queer have changed dramatically in the course of 20 years. So a book that is as old as I am will, naturally, feel a little dated. It was hard to read in that respect, but the existence of such a book in the 90s makes up for it. It takes astounding courage - just as much courage as Ellen coming out on her show. Even if the authors themselves did not identify with the community, the 'guilt by association' argument (even today) still very much holds. So, as a queer kid who was unfortunate enough to not find this book until the closet had been blown open, I am glad that the community was fortunate enough in the early 90s (and all the years that followed) to have this resource available to them.
It was interesting to see all the different approaches that were taken in telling these stories. There was one that had some mythical/spiritual approach, there was a Vietnam war one - there were so many different angles that it kept the pages turning fairly quickly (seriously, though, it was an insanely fast read). It was also good to see the diversity - yes, there were only lesbian and gay couples and we know there are so many more identities once we step outside the binary - but the diversity in race/ethnicity was fairly prevalent and I enjoyed that particularly. (#weneeddiversebooks - can I get a hell yeah?)
Yes, this is a dated book. But the intent and impact is there. The writers of today should band together in a similarly massive force and put forth another book like this. We need it.
It is hard to read a queer lit book that was written in the early 90s. Put differently: I was born in '92 and my views/opinions/understandings of what it is to be queer have changed dramatically in the course of 20 years. So a book that is as old as I am will, naturally, feel a little dated. It was hard to read in that respect, but the existence of such a book in the 90s makes up for it. It takes astounding courage - just as much courage as Ellen coming out on her show. Even if the authors themselves did not identify with the community, the 'guilt by association' argument (even today) still very much holds. So, as a queer kid who was unfortunate enough to not find this book until the closet had been blown open, I am glad that the community was fortunate enough in the early 90s (and all the years that followed) to have this resource available to them.
It was interesting to see all the different approaches that were taken in telling these stories. There was one that had some mythical/spiritual approach, there was a Vietnam war one - there were so many different angles that it kept the pages turning fairly quickly (seriously, though, it was an insanely fast read). It was also good to see the diversity - yes, there were only lesbian and gay couples and we know there are so many more identities once we step outside the binary - but the diversity in race/ethnicity was fairly prevalent and I enjoyed that particularly. (#weneeddiversebooks - can I get a hell yeah?)
Yes, this is a dated book. But the intent and impact is there. The writers of today should band together in a similarly massive force and put forth another book like this. We need it.
dontanam's review
3.0
I enjoyed some of the stories, not all of them but that is to be expected in an anthology. The author pieces date themselves, but the stories could happen even now.
magnetgrrl's review
3.0
Read this in high school. I'm gonna guess... 1996 or 1997. I think it was both non-fiction essays (personal accounts) and maybe some fiction or fictionalized accounts? I'm really not sure. It was in my high school library and one of like 5 LGBT books I found there, in Horton, MI, in the early 90's.
kricketa's review
4.0
reading this for the second time. i got it from the public library when i was in high school. i thought the stories were about depression. instead it became the first piece(s) of gltbq teen fiction i ever read. in light of current events in my hometown, i'm amazed our library even owned this book back in 1998 or whatever. i wish i knew who the teen librarian back then was so i could track her down and hug her. (note to self: do this.)
ANYWAY. this is a terrific selection of stories that holds up pretty well for having been published in 1994. some of them i immediately remembered upon beginning them ('three mondays in july' by giblin, 'parents' night' by nancy garden, 'supper' by newman, and 'dancing backwards' by bauer). others i'm fairly sure i skipped the first time around ('blood sister' by yolen and 'in the tunnels' by sleator.) i skimmed them this time. still didn't like them that much. oh and fun fact: gregory maguire of 'wicked' fame has a really great story in here.
the packaging, alas, is pretty dated. i was the first person to check out the book in quite some time. maybe time to put out a new edition? all in all, really good stuff and great fun to re-read.
ANYWAY. this is a terrific selection of stories that holds up pretty well for having been published in 1994. some of them i immediately remembered upon beginning them ('three mondays in july' by giblin, 'parents' night' by nancy garden, 'supper' by newman, and 'dancing backwards' by bauer). others i'm fairly sure i skipped the first time around ('blood sister' by yolen and 'in the tunnels' by sleator.) i skimmed them this time. still didn't like them that much. oh and fun fact: gregory maguire of 'wicked' fame has a really great story in here.
the packaging, alas, is pretty dated. i was the first person to check out the book in quite some time. maybe time to put out a new edition? all in all, really good stuff and great fun to re-read.
raix's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I wasn't sure what to expect from a gay YA anthology from 1994, in fact I was surprised such a thing had been published. I found the stories just as poignant and moving as modern ones, and not as dated as I expected. There is a good mix of themes, self-discovery, acceptance of others, the experience of having gay family members, the AIDS crisis... and only a few are coming out stories! The anthology features a diverse array of writers, some of whom wrote some of my most beloved childhood books. Although it's an old anthology, I would say it's definitely one to check out!
The introduction states that the editor hopes in 10 years, a specifically gay anthology will not be needed because gay and lesbian characters will be commonplace in children's literature. Well, sadly, in 2004 we hadn't reached that point. Now, nearing 2024, we're at risk of losing what little ground we've gained. But if a book like this was possible in 1994, then we'll certainly keep fighting to make sure it's possible for all the years to come.
The introduction states that the editor hopes in 10 years, a specifically gay anthology will not be needed because gay and lesbian characters will be commonplace in children's literature. Well, sadly, in 2004 we hadn't reached that point. Now, nearing 2024, we're at risk of losing what little ground we've gained. But if a book like this was possible in 1994, then we'll certainly keep fighting to make sure it's possible for all the years to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Violence, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
Minor: Medical content and Adult/minor relationship