Tuesday, February 21, 2012

My awful popularity plan by Seth Rudetsky –ADVISABLE

My awful popularity plan by Seth Rudetsky, 224pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2011. $11.98.

Language-PG13 (Use of the word Fag); Violence: G; Mature Content: PG13)

MS, HS– ADVISABLE 

What Justin would really like is to be more popular and to date Chuck, the captain of the football team. These are lofty goals for a short, nerdy, hardly noticed gay teen who likes Broadway. Justin accidentally stumbles into a situation where his dreams seem to be taking off. But to reach them, Justin must travel far from his real self: dating a girl, ignoring his best friend, and even doing Chuck's homework. Will Justin find the courage to be the real Justin?

I really enjoyed this book. It is a light-hearted look at life in high school, which features a much neglected main character –a typical gay teen boy. It was self-deprecating with about being angsty. Funny without being too silly. Trendy without dating itself. I feel like the author really provided his main character with an authentic voice. The only issue for a school library might be the repetitive use of the word Fag. If that is considered a swear word at your school, this book is out. If not, I think that this book provides a great context to get to know this word from a gay perspective.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

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