Homo

 

Author: Michael Harris

Bibliographic Info:

Harris, Michael. (2012). Homo. Toronto: James Lorimar &  Company Ltd.

Descriptive Summary:

Will Johnson has the unenviable task of coming out in Chilliwack, BC. It is never easy and Homo charts Will's coming of age and his coming out as he discovers gay culture and online dating, confronts his fears and homophobia and learns to stand up for his friends. Along the way, Will Johnson learns to accept himself.

Evaluative comments with rating:
4/5  TVs - a new Canadian classic

Homo is at is best when dealing with the inner turmoil of its young lead, Will Johnson. Michael Harris captures his voice and inner workings perfectly and creates a likeable young hero struggling to do right by himself and those he loves. Homo hits snags when it comes to dealing with the characterization of its supporting cast - no one is very fully formed and by the conclusion of the novel the reader begins to feel that there's a few dangling plot lines and unresolved conflicts. Homo may be a tad short, but it covers a lot of ground from AIDS and HIV to LGBTQ solidarity to the problems of tolerance.

Suggested Audience (age range): 16-18 (mild language and depictions of sex)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Realistic, candid, angst-filled, character-driven, issue-oriented

  
Readalikes/Watchalikes: Queer as Folk (tv series), Rainbow Boys - Alex Sanchez, Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan, What They Always Tell Us - Martin Wilson, Bullied - Jeff Erno

Booktalking hook:
What exactly does it mean to tolerate someone's sexuality or orientation? Is the word tolerate a positive thing or a negative thing?

Reason for inclusion: Striking title and familiarity with the publisher.

Category: LGBTQ/Canadian/Series

Valentine Princess: A Princess Diaries Book

Author: Meg Cabot

Bibliographic Info:

Cabot, Meg. (2006). Valentine princess: A princess diaries book. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Descriptive Summary:

The odds are stacked against Princess Mia in this pseudo prequel/sequel of the Princess Diaries ("written" in 2002, published in the real world of 2006, and set after the 4th and before the 5th volumes of the series, but published significantly after both). Grandmere doesn't believe Mia's one true love, Michael is right for her and is set on proving it. Michael, not a fan of Valentine's Day, isn't doing much to prove Grandmere wrong and Princess Mia is in a panic hoping that Michael will come around and profess his love on Valentine's day.

Evaluative comments with rating:
Incomplete - TV's on the Blink and so is this book

I felt like I was walking into this book halfway through. It took a fair amount of searching to discover the backstory to the Princess Diaries and I felt like I needed a scorecard to keep track of all of the characters and their relationships to each other. Meg Cabot's writing is frantic and (supposed to be) funny, but I felt that its idiosyncratic nature (written mostly in the style of a freshman's diary) was a bit hard on the head and the eyes.

Having said all that, I still could see how this would be a good read for someone who is a reluctant reader. The writing is fast-paced, simplistic and, at 86 pages, incredibly short. It would be a good gateway book for someone who is already familiar with the Disney film series of the same name.

I don't feel qualified to rate this book. Its design, use of multiple fonts, and frequent use of all caps made for a very hostile read.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12 - 18 (though younger readers may not pick up on some of the pop culture references)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Character-driven, fast-paced, funny, romantic, conversational

Readalikes: Princess Diaries series, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares, Gossip Girl - Cecily Von Ziegesar, Pretty Little Liars series - Sara Shepard, How Not to be Popular - Jennifer Ziegler

Booktalking hook:

From page 51:

Ode to Michael
Oh, Michael, can't you see
You and me were meant to be?
Just like Britney's got her Justin
For you I will always be lustin'
You're the best I ever had —
I'm your Jennifer, you're my Brad.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the series due to its high profile

Category: Chick-Lit/Romance/Series