HIT: Best Gay/Lesbian books (Part 1)

[Jaye Alper <alper@MEOL.MASS.EDU>]

Dear friends--

I want to thank *everyone* who responded to my request for GLB resources!As
usual, I received many wonderful suggestions - very speedily - and now I
have a chance to post this hit. (I started on the weekend and today, April
1st, I'm at home, buried in almost 2 feet of snow!) Now I just need to
multiply the grant a few times so I can include so many great titles! It's
quite heartening to me that the literature in this area is increasing. We
are also fortunate that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts now has a student
anti-discrimination policy that specifically includes sexual preference,
and that workshops on Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian Youth are
given by the Department of Education.

One title that I already have in my collection that I don't think anyone
mentioned is a volume of "biographical, bibliographical, and critical
information on more than two hundred authors who have figured prominently
in gay and lesbian literature and culture since 1900." Gay and Lesbian
Literature, edited by Sharon Malinowski, published by St. James Press/Gale
Research, 1994 (ISBN 1-55862-174-1), is not complete but I would recommend
it as a good reference. It includes indexes by nationality, gender, general
subject and genre, as well as lists of gay and lesbian literary awards,
additional authors of gay and lebian literature, and selected anthologies
and critical studies. I've got some other titles at school that I will send
the complete references for later--one is called Lamda Youth, published by
Watts, I believe.

What follows is a selected group of your responses, edited mainly to avoid
duplications. Here's my original post, followed by your replies:

Hi, folks--

I have $500 to spend by May 31st on books dealing with being
gay/lesbian/bisexual. I've looked at the archives and have been collecting
bibliographies from various sources. What are your top 3 - 5 picks for high
school, fiction and non-fiction?

Thanks--
Jaye

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Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 08:37:14 -0500 (EST)
From: Angus Saunders <saunders@northnet.org>

Fiction: Annie on my mind by Garden; Happy Endings are all alike, don't
know author.

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Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 10:11:51 -0500 (EST)
From: BASONEDS@UCBEH.SAN.UC.EDU

I am on the Best Books for Young Dults committee and last year we had two
outstanding titles:  My Father's Scar by Michael CArt and Good Moon Rising ( I
forget the author right now).  Also M.E. Kerr has a new book out called Liar, I
have just started to read it (I have a galley copy).
Darlene Basone  Walnut Hills High School

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Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 10:21:38 -0500 (EST)
From: titmt004@llwsbe.wsbe.org (Pat Menoche)

The Drowning of Stephan Jones by Bette Greene
Deliver us from Evie by ME Kerr

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Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 09:44:44 -0600 (CST)
From: sbloom1@ix.netcom.com (scott a bloom)

...might I suggest at least one of the books should deal with not
only gay/les issues, but also AIDS. I read a book called 'Dancing on
the Moon", Short Stories About Aids...by Jameson Currier. It not only
dealt with the persons struggles, but also family, friends. I am not
ashamed to say I was very moved.

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Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 10:46:31 -0500 (EST)
From: JLundgard@aol.com

We had a speaker recently speak to all our faculty on gay issues in high
s chool and he recommended "The Best Little Boy in the World" for faculty to
read.  Started this paperback and I don't know if you would use it with kids,
but it is interesting.  Joan Lundgard

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Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 10:05:53 -0600
From: Terry Young <bestman@worldnet.att.net>

You may want to contact the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Task Force (SRRT) of ALA.
They give a book award each year and also publish a bibliography. ALA
800-545-2433.

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Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 10:08:21 -0600 (CST)
From: Sherry W York <syork@tenet.edu>

Jaye,
One fiction title that you might not run across in general searches is
"Tommy Stands Alone" by Gloria Velasquez.  Pinata Books, Houston, TX,
1995.  1-55885-146-1 (clothbound) 1-55885-147-X (pbk). Cost for paperback
is $7.95. The story deals specifically with Mexican-American characters;
it may oversimplify the issues a bit, but it does accurately portray
Latino parental attitudes.  Student feedback has been positive.







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* Jaye Alper,School Library Media Specialist        alper@meol.mass.edu       *
* Medfield High School                              (508) 359-1410 press 1    *
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