Sandra Levins

This book is so achingly earnest that I feel guilty for finding it laughably bad. Three different storylines converge into a big pile of cheese. On track one, we have Cael struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and whether he should keep it secret. On track two, we have a classroom of kids giving presentations on the history of gay rights. On track three, we have the memoir of a gay soldier that Cael reads throughout the book. In the course of the book, a variety of characters keep saying this catchphrase: "It's okay to be gay. Or not. Either way it's okay." Over and over and over from character after character after character until I'm gritting my teeth every time a new character shows up because I know pretty soon it will come spewing out of their mouth. Again, there is good information and good intentions evident on every page, but as a whole it is too awkward for words. I sincerely hope that I'm just the wrong age or audience or something and that there is someone to whom this book will be a revelation.… (mais)