Rainbow Boys

May 26, 2003
PW
called this story about the senior year of three gay teens struggling with issues ranging from coming out to first love to an HIV scare "believable and touching." Ages 12-up.

October 1, 2001
Gr 9 Up-Nelson, "out" to the world, is secretly in love with his best friend Kyle. Kyle doesn't look gay or advertise it, but since he hangs out with Nelson, he's subject to the same harassment at school. Kyle is secretly in love with Jason, a popular jock who has a popular girlfriend but who can't stop dreaming of sex with boys. When Jason, trying to sort out his confusion, shows up at a Rainbow Youth meeting, he is greeted by both "Nelly" and Kyle, who are as shocked to see him as he is to be seen. This uncomfortable confrontation starts the ball rolling down a path of deception, denial, revelation, and acceptance not only for the three young men, but also for their friends, family, and all concerned. This gutsy, in-your-face debut novel speaks the language of real life for gay teens, that of the ecstasy, heartache, and humor of first love (and sex), that of daily harassment and fear, that of having what it takes to stand up and be proud of who you are. There will no doubt be challenges to Rainbow Boys, much like the challenges of Judy Blume's Forever (Turtleback, 1975) when it was published in the 1970s. But please, have the courage to make it available to those who need it-it can open eyes and change lives.-Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2001
Gr. 9-12. Three gay high school seniors, Jason, Kyle, and Nelson, deal with the difficulties of coming out and with all of the other problems that plague and perplex homosexual teens. First-novelist Sanchez writes with passion and understanding as well as some welcome humor, but it's issues, not characters that drive this novel. Homophobia, body image, gay stereotyping, AIDS, support groups, gay/straight alliances--all are shoehorned into an overcrowded plot that sometimes comes dangerously close to the didactic. What saves the story from problem-novel limbo are its realistic, right-on dialogue; its sympathetic characters who rise above the stereotypical; and--most important--its focus on love as the heart of homosexuality. Ultimately, the author demonstrates, coming out is really coming in--entering a circle of support and self-acceptance that may lead to a more universal community of acceptance and tolerance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)