[LM_NET] BOOK: Absolutely positively not.... by LaRochelle

[Frederick Muller <mullinator52@YAHOO.COM>]

LaRochelle, David._Absolutely, positively not...._Levine/Scholastic, 2005 
[0-439-59109-0]
  Steven is a High School boy going through the usual traumas about passing his 
driving test, arguing with his parents along with one other thing that has been 
smoldering in the back of his head.  Why is he not interested in girls?  Why does 
he think Coach Bowman is so handsome? All he knows is that he is not gay (or is he) 
so he goes to the library and gets an outdated book for information.  He glues 
pictures of girls in bikinis on the walls of his room and tries aversion therapy by 
snapping a rubber band which he keeps on is wrist every time he thinks about a boy. 
 He even goes on a rampage of dating a whole series of girls.  Why does not kissing 
do anything for him?  Finally he faces the fact that he may be gay and goes to tell 
his best friend (who happens to be a girl) and she says...I am glad you finally 
admitted it.  Now comes the school dance and he knows he can't take a girl so... 
his friend suggests he bring her dog as a date.  At the end of this 219 page book, 
he
 ends up going to a gay discussion group to talk and even meets another gay guy on 
the hockey team at school.  Steven comes out to his parents who each react very 
differently, though lovingly.  This is a lighthearted book dealing sexual 
orientation.  There is no discussion of physical relationships... just the head 
trip the boy is going through.  I have spoken to some gay friends about the book 
and they say it is an accurate depiction of how some boys initially face they fact 
that they may be gay.  I hope the book is accepted in the schools.


--------
Frederick Muller, Librarian
Halsted Middle School (Grades 6-8)
59 Halsted Street
Newton, NJ  07860

my book comments are compiled at
www.halsted.org/br.htm

My blog is
MullerInTheMiddle.Blogspot.com

Copyright Frederick B. Muller
                
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