Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Another Kind Of Cowboy

Yes the title character is gay.* But there's another main character, a rich prep school girl - and her story is much more shocking and intense. I do recommend this book because of the insights the author shares and how it might help teens learn more about themselves, their friends and family, and the world. But parents, I recommend you read it first, especially if your child is 15 or younger.

* I read the book because of the gay character. I don't see much YA or children's fiction that portrays gay kids and I want to read more. Recommendations welcome, especially if it's not too intense with drugs or cutting or whatever, and especially if it reveals how the character realized he was gay in the first place.

I'm glad you read this book Cheryl! I love to hear other people's impressions.
You found her story to be really that intense? I saw it as a girl going through the pressure of peers and how she chose to work through the situation. Yes, the pressure is shocking, I guess, but it was realistic and not too blown out of proprotion.
I too really enjoyed the insight that the author had into both characters and I really felt that young adults could learn from both of these characters.
VOYA has it suggested for ages 12-18.

Sorry to sound stupid, but what's VOYA?

Isn't The Perks of Being a Wallflower supposed to be about someone who realizes they're gay - I think it's a guy. I've been wanting to read this for a long time, since I kept hearing about it from my daughter. She started reading it tho, and I got the feeling it's pretty depressing...so I've steered clear of it.

VOYA is a magazine that reviews YA books. It is very reputable. It stands for Voice of Youth Advocates.

www.voya.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOYA-Ma...

Laura wrote: "Sorry to sound stupid, but what's VOYA?

Isn't The Perks of Being a Wallflower supposed to be about someone who realizes they're gay - I think it's a guy. I've been wanting to read thi..."

In Perks he doesn't realize he is gay. He just has a gay friend who kisses him. I do really like that book though :)

On another discussion board (YA Reads for Teachers) we've been discussion LBGT in the classroom and on their I listed some LBGT books. Check out the discussion:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

Kellee wrote: "VOYA is a magazine that reviews YA books. It is very reputable. It stands for Voice of Youth Advocates.

www.voya.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOYA-Ma......"

Very cool, thanks Kellee!

Tx ladies for two great links!

Well, Cleo's story is pretty horrid. I just think that people who are just starting to outgrow Andrew Clements (for example) might be glad somebody warned them. This is Parents' Corner after all. :)

I personally like to read more about nice things. I know that the dark stuff exists, but I don't feel the need to over-expose myself or my child to it.

Tx ladies for two great links!

Well, Cleo's story is pretty horrid. I just think that people who are just starting to outgrow Andrew Clements (for example) might be glad somebody warned them. This is Parents' Corner after all. :)

I personally like to read more about nice things. I know that the dark stuff exists, but I don't feel the need to over-expose myself or my child to it.

Cheryl wrote: "Tx ladies for two great links!

Well, Cleo's story is pretty horrid. I just think that people who are just starting to outgrow Andrew Clements (for example) might be glad somebody w..."

Me too! I like to read about nice things. It's so hard to find that kind of read it seems.

Hey there,
there's a pretty comprehensive list here called "Best YA Fiction with GLBTQQI themes / characters" that give you several titles to start with if you are looking for teen reads with these themes. I haven't read all of them, so I can't vouch for every single one of them or their content, but it looks like a good jumping off point. Definitely worth checking out, some the titles have been around for decades. Hope that helps!

thank you!