Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #85966 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Jason Peele, hiding the fact that he is gay from his friends and family, finds himself attracted to the new guy on the track team, which forever changes his life--and makes his senior year one to remember. Original.

Customer Reviews

sixteen year old school athlete confronts his sexualtity
Young Jason Peele lives with his aunt an uncle, his parents having been killed when he was two, but he is confused as his dreams centre on boys and not girls. At sixteen years old he is perhaps an average student and not the most popular, but he enjoys English Lit and he excels at athletics, particularly running. It is while training for an upcoming inter-schools competition that he notices Raj, a particularly lithe and good looking coloured student practicing the high jump. He makes himself known to Raj who has recently arrived from India, and soon the two fall in love, but all is not plain sailing. Raj, a year older than Jason, soon seduces him, but then proves to be something of an enigma seeming at times distant and leaving Jason uncertain as to where he stands. Jason also has to contend with bullying, particularly involving a one time friend who has now turned against him.
Then there is Robert, a quiet homely looking student who rescues Jason from his attackers and then seeks his help with school work as well as guidance dating girls. As a result Jason finds himself on a double date with Robert and two girls, adding to is confusion. To compound his problems he is flattered by fellow student and athlete Norm, coming from the wealthy side of town, who also falls for him.
Jason has to contend with all these problems including coming out to his aunt and uncle, sending his emotions into turmoil at the time of his training for his all important athletics; but he remains remarkably well balanced and positive, proving a perfect role model for other youths similarly confused about their sexuality.
It is a little patronising in tone at times, even slipping in advice on preparing English assignments in addition to the handling of gay issues. But that aside it is a warm and touching love story, and Jason comes out of it well proving that honesty is the best approach, and showing that whatever problems there are, there are always more then enough positive points to counter them.

enjoyble read
yes it is similar to other books about teenage life as a gay guy but theres a difference, its also got more then 1 culture unlike all the others, theres two main characters, one white and one asian (hindu)

me personally im asian and found i could relate to "Raj", i also found it informative on the whole "Vedism" section, who would have thought gay asians wouldnt be shunned upon many hundreds of years ago. its a surprise to me, and im not just taking this info from the book. i did research on vedism to clarify this for myself.

Educational - not patronising - teen read
If ever I had to choose a good quality, educational (without being patronising) book for a secondary school/college library or English reading group on understanding gay issues, then this would be it. By using a positive, strong character (yet not without his flaws)that young people will be drawn to and have sympathies with, Reardon is able to convey a real feeling of the confusion and heartache that comes from growing up with a "secret edge" inside of you.

With very few Americanisms, the text is fresh and versatile, and there are even some handy questions at the back of the book to assist reading groups. I will concede that the novel is designed at least in part as an instructional text (hence the reading group questions), but Reardon uses a very light touch - no finger wagging!

I'm happy to say that this book easily achieves and indeed surpasses its goals - it's realistic without being visceral and you don't get the feeling the author is pulling strings with his characters acting like mindless puppets. Young people will certainly warm to Reardon's style.