I am currently reading David Levithan's book Two Boys Kissing. From the title and the cover art, I assumed this was going to be light-hearted and fun. Boy was I ever wrong! This story is narrated by a group of men who died of AIDS a few decades ago. Craig and Harry are trying to break the world record for longest kiss ever and are doing it on the front lawn of their high school. Ryan and Avery met at a gay prom given at Ryan's high school and are tentatively starting a relationship. Avery has a secret that he fears will mess up his chances at happiness with Ryan. Connor lives with a violent and unaccepting father and lives in a dangerous on-line world that is dark and drawing him in farther and farther each day. These boys' stories are observed and told by victims of AIDS who intersperse their stories and feelings throughout the book. The differences in the world of 30-40 years ago and present time is striking and bold. This is NOT a light-hearted book at all, but rather one that tackles some pretty difficult issues.
Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You by Joyce Carol Oates tackles the difficult subjects of suicide and cutting. The story is not groundbreaking, but Oates' exceptional writing talent makes this one stand out.
The In-Between by Barbara Stewart is a bizarre story of a young girl, Ellie Moss, whose suicide attempt prompts her family to begin a new life in a small New York community, but a tragic accident along the way a whole new downward spiral for Ellie. It's hard to know what's real and what's not in this edge of your seat story told by a very unreliable narrator. Hang on to your seat because there are plenty of twists and turns in this one!
Don't forget our One Book One Town teen selections: The Art of Fielding and One Shot at Forever. Discuss them with friends and classmates on line (link on the teen page) or at one of our scheduled in person book discussions: March 27th at 6 for One Shot at Forever here at the library (pizza will be served), and March 31st at 2:30 in the Trumbull High School media center! See you all there!
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