International Lit Paper

Hi guys, remember me? Yeah, I promise I haven't been ignoring you. It has been a busy few weeks. On the bright side, summer semester is almost over. Then, one full month of semi-freedom (I still have a full-time job, of course). Freedom!

For my International Children's Literature class, I'm writing a rather interesting paper on homosexuality in young adult literature. The main topic is the idea of "coming out" to friends and family - how people around the world react. I had this idea when a friend mentioned how he had no relatable books when growing up. None that said being gay is okay. So, I wanted to create a bibliography for him.

What I found most interesting was which countries had books with gay teen characters, and which didn't. U.S., New Zealand, Australia, England, and Canada had the most books. Not surprisingly, I couldn't find any from Africa, Asia, or the Middle East.

While I didn't use my two favorite books that feature homosexual characters (The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Will Grayson, Will Grayson), I did find quite a few other interesting ones. Here are four quick reviews:

Dare Truth or Promise
By Paula Boock
New Zealand
After a disastrous relationship with a female, Willa moves to a new school in New Zealand and meets the upbeat and outgoing Louie. As the two get closer, a relationship blooms and while Willa wants to push these feelings aside, afraid to replicate her previous situation, Louie finds herself comfortable with this new situation, and new jump into homosexuality. Yet, when Louie’s mother learns of her daughter’s relationship, she forces the two apart, and Louie must learn for herself what she thinks is right. Very delicately, yet honestly, written, Boock's book shows what’s important in matters of the heart.

I really enjoyed this one - it was well written, and had a lovely moral. Even more, many of the characters were very surprising. I especially loved this quote: "I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God."

Out of the Shadows
By Sue Hines
Australia
On Jodie’s first day of school, she and Ro become instant friends, yet their friendship has secrets they’re too afraid to reveal – secrets that they know may make them outsiders. Ro, is the daughter of two lesbians, while Jodie has come to the terms that she, herself is a lesbian, and must constantly fight back her attraction to Ro. Living in a hostile Australian society, one that frowns upon homosexuality, they know that they have to keep their secrets, in fear of what may happen. Through their friendship, layers are peeled back, and they slowly learn to trust, and forgive, one another through this honest tale of understanding and accepting sexuality.

I liked this book too - I like where it went, and what it said. Written in both Jodie and Ro's point of views, it shows a very powerful look at acceptance.

Boy Meets Boy
By David Levithan
U.S.
Paul, a sophomore in an American high school, has been raised in a town that is accepting of homosexuality, while his friend, Tony, has not. While Paul finds himself stuck between two boys – Kyle, his ex-boyfriend who won’t go away, and Noah, the boy who makes him want to be a better person – Tony is slowly learning how to be honest with his parents, letting them know who he is, and how he’s not about to change for them. Mixing themes of sexuality and friendship, David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy shows how being honest can affect not only yourself, but also those around you.

I love how different this book is. Sure it's almost fantastical - that a high school would be SO accepting of homosexuality - but, wouldn't it be great if it actually was? Levithan is funny, descriptive, and wonderful. I love his books, I do.

Bad Boy
By Diane Wieler
Canada
At 16, A.J. and his best friend Tulsa make the Triple A Canadian hockey team after a strenuous tryout. A.J. feels like things are perfect, until he catches Tulsa entering a gay café with another player on the team. Feeling both betrayed and disgusted by Tulsa, A.J.’s anger spills out onto the ice, as he starts to deal with his own budding sexuality.

Okay, I'm usually really positive about books, but honestly, I just couldn't get into this one. I really didn't like A.J., and I think that was the problem. When I don't like the main character, I can't get into the book. And the end just...ends. A bit of resolution, but not much.

So those are my quick reviews. I learned a lot, most of which I'll reveal once the paper is done. Until then - to be continued.

(If you want to know about more books on the topic, let me know and I can send you my bibliography.)