Showing posts with label cliques. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cliques. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

"Geography Club" by Brent Hartinger


Russel feels like the only gay student at his high school. Well, he’s pretty sure he’s gay, but he’s never dated or kissed a guy before. He’s a pretty average guy, has friends, gets good grades, and has a decent social life. But if anyone knew he was gay, he knows his reputation would be ruined. So he keeps this secret to himself, and even goes on dates with girls to avoid questions about his sexuality. One night Russel goes online in a chat room, and discovers he’s not the only gay student at his school. Turns out that Kevin, the star baseball player, is also in the closet, and Russel learns that other gay students feel just as isolated as he does.

How can they hang out together and talk about these issues without being discovered? Start an after-school club that sounds so boring and lame that no one would ever want to join. That is how the Geography Club got founded. Meeting after school, the group members learn about each other, and start to realize how important it is to be true to yourself and be honest with your friends.

This is a great GBLT novel about discovering yourself, appropriate for 8th grade and up.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

"How to Rock Braces and Glasses" by Meg Haston

I had both braces and glasses in middle school, so was totally drawn into the title. Not that I rocked them, by any means. :-)

Kacey Simon says what's on her mind, even if people don't want to hear it. Her harsh critiques have made her a social butterfly at Marquette Middle School. Her popularity soars with her outrageous newscaster skills, and she's always surrounded by friends. But when she gets an eye infection, her contacts are taken away and replaced with new glasses. To make matters worse, her mom surprises her with a trip to the orthodontist, who puts on new braces. Getting used to metal in her mouth, Kacey struggles to overcome a new lisp. She realizes how her honesty towards others may have hurt some feelings. Her friends don't seem supportive to her situation, so Kacey starts hanging out with a new crowd, and even finds her voice as the singer for a new band. This is a hilarious look at overcoming puberty's challenges and making the best of a bad situation.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

"The Ashleys" by Melissa de la Cruz

Miss Gamble's Preparatory School for Girls is one of the most prestigious prep schools in San Francisco. For years, 3 snobby Ashleys have made Lauren's life miserable with teasing and taunting. Even so, Lauren wants desperately to get into their popular clique. Lauren's dad becomes a multi-millionaire and the Ashleys suddenly take notice of Lauren's fashion makeover. Bentleys, Chanel, private jets, chauffeurs -- these girls know how to spend money, and lots of it! Good for 6th grade and up.