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.

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, By Barry Lyga

Title: The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl

By: Barry Lyga

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Publish Date: 2006

ISBN: 0618723927

Page #: 320

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fiction

Age Level: Older Teen

Reader's Annotation: An outcast teen boy and a goth girl form an unlikely alliance as shelter from high school life. Donnie aka Fanboy's secret survival skill is his artistic creation of a graphic novel and not only does he tell his new and only best friend but she starts to work on it with him.

Summary: Amidst bullying and the harsh realities of high school life, Donnie copes with the drudgery of

of teenage life by working on his secret graphic novel and fantasizing about violent ways to get revenge. Donnie has one friend, Cal, a jock who shares his love of comic books. But he generally ignores him for his jock friends and sports in the school setting, and Donnie accepts this as the way things are. It isn't until Kyra sends him an instant message one night that they become friends. Kyra, a "goth" girl, is also an outsider of sorts, but she notices the bullying that Donnie is subjected to daily and she sends him her notice. From her screen name, Donnie isn't sure who he is talking to but when they meet up after school Donnie is shocked to find the pale skinned, lip pierced Kyra who isn't afraid to speak her mind or speak up for herself. From here they become friends, sharing opinions and things in common. Donnie ends up sharing his ultimate secret with Kyra and she ends up changing Donnie, if not helping him figure out who he really is.

Evaluation: Fanboy and Gothgirl is realistic and oftentimes funny. It is a one of a kind book that not only outcast like comic book nerds and goth girls can relate to, but also to the rest of us who know (or remember) all to well what if feels like to be "that" kid.

Bibliotherapeitic Usefulness: Bullying, Friendship, Art, Graphic Novels, Growing Up

Reason this book was chosen: In the light of recent school violence like Columbine and copy-cats since then, a sensitive reader may be somewhat bothered by the casual way in Donnie talks about violence. But I think it is important to realize that their is a general reality that is a teenage boy's inner dialogue and then there is the psychopath that is a murderer. This distinguishing factor is crucial in approaching this novel. There is a realism here that sets this book apart and above all others and it is this quality that makes it speak to me and other fans of the book. I would hate to see the reader or a parent get lost in a generalization because this book is a gem and in actuality its honesty is what makes it so.

Extras: Author Website http://fanboyandgothgirl.com/