Publishers Weekly Review
| First published in the U.K., this irreverent, informative handbook offers a wide-ranging overview of gender identity, sexual orientation, coming out, dating, and more. Adopting a humorous tone that should help set anxious readers at ease, Dawson dismantles stereotypes, such as "Gay women hate men" ("I imagine they'd hate men who said that to them, yes"); defines a range of terms from "camp" to "cubs"; and offers (very) frank information about sex ("A bit of spit, Brokeback Mountain-style, is NOT a substitute for a proper water-based lubricant"). Gerrell's playful b&w cartoons help maintain an encouraging atmosphere, even when Dawson turns to homophobia/transphobia, anti-gay legislation, and STDs. Readers will find guidance to navigating their sexual identities and more general advice about self-esteem, forming respectful relationships, and seeking personal fulfillment. Ages 14-up. Agent: Jo Williamson, Antony Harwood Ltd. Literary Agents. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. |
School Library Journal Review
| Gr 10 Up-This witty, no-holds-barred look at the LGBTQ experience provides information that parents or school friends often can't or won't give. The book covers dating, religious perceptions of LGBTQ people, bullying, coming out, and more. Employing occasionally snarky, informal language, Dawson provides very direct, frank guidance (among the subheadings are "Doing the Sex" and "Why Are Gay Men So Slutty?"), including sexual advice (complete with labeled anatomical cartoons). However, these are all topics about which teens are curious. Though the book has an intended audience, a variety of readers will appreciate it. VERDICT An insightful option for those with questions about what it's like to be LGBTQ.-April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
