Hard Love, By Ellen Wittlinger

Title:Hard Love
Author:Ellen Wittlinger
Publish Date:April 1, 2001
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages:224 pages
ISBN:068984154X
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range:Young Adult
Price: $9.99

Annotation:

Summary: John Galardi is a introvert. He is only able to express himself except in his zine, "Bananafish." He finds another zine, "Escape Velocity," created by Marisol Guzman, a self-proclaimed "rich spoiled lesbian private-school gifted-and-talented writer virgin." Her writing make him laugh; She witty and smart and he really wants to meat her. He seeks her out as she's leaving her zine on a drop off day at a record store and persuades her to meet him for coffee. What ensues is a friendship that involves intellect and eventually a confused friendship. How can Marisol who really does like him (and told him so) let him know that she is his best friend-but that's it. Or is it?

Evaluation: This book is funny and Touching at the Same Time! I loved hearing this kind of story (when you think you fall in love with someone that just doesn't "go your way" -cause it's happened to me!) from a boys perspective! This book is a really cool edge to LGBTQ literature. And has that special niche for those of us broken hearted straight people who are in love with someone who just wants to be friends.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness:

Writing as Therapy, Friendships & Relationship, LGBTQ issues, Falling in Love with Someone Who is Gay

Reason this book was chosen: I love this idea, and have experienced it myself. I wanted to include a well-written ode to this kind of unrequited love.

Annie on My Mind, By Nancy Garden

Title: Annie on My Mind

Author: Nancy Garden

Publish: Date: July 1982

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Pages: 272pp

ISBN: 0374303665

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Range: 12 and up

Price: $8

Annotation: Two girls fall in love and carry on an alternative coming of age love story in secret, until they are caught.

Summary: Liza and Annie meet and discover more to their feelings then just friendship. But, in her conservative prep-school and high expectation family life, Liza fears telling anyone its anymore the platonic. Furthermore she struggles with the reality of possibly being gay. But, when teachers give her a chance to house sit she is made aware that not only is she not the only one that has been through what she has been through. What's more is the new found freedom is abrupt when the girls are caught. Now Annie needs to face reality of both her feelings and how the world will accept her.

Evaluation: I thought this book was a little slow but at the same time it's worth is priceless! I found the style to be effective mostly in that if you are not relating to the exact scenario you can actually see how a love that may seem so DIFFERENT and ALIEN is almost exactly the same as when you feel in love. For this it is helpful to both gay teens coming of age and parents and people who just don't get it.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Growing up and facing coming out and the world's reactions

Reason this book was chosen: The simple fact that it is required reading and it is a genuinely classic book in the world of LGBTQ readings as well as controversial, banned books. Should be required reading for teens and parents and teachers alike!