Who we are

 

She Loves You, She Loves You Not – Julie Anne Peters

When seventeen-year-old Alyssa is disowned by her father for being a lesbian, she is sent off to a small town in Colorado to live with the mother she has never known, where she is forced to come to terms with herself and her family.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green and David Levithan

When two teens, one gay and one straight, meet accidentally and discover that they share the same name, their lives become intertwined as one begins dating the other's best friend, who produces a play revealing his relationship with them both.

Although these are both LBGT books, that is where there similarities end.  I became familiar with Julie Anne Peters after reading Luna for a class, and when I saw this book on a display, I picked it up to read for my project.  I really appreciate how Peters emphasizes the sameness of her characters.  No matter what the gender or sexuality of her characters, they remain real - with real problems - just like everyone else.  Peters goes a long way in breaking stereotypes and fears about people who are different.  

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a MUST read.   This is my top pick from ALL of the books that I read for the project.  I regret that I did not purchase this book prior to the project because I did not want to spend money on a hardback book. (I am sometimes cheap like that.)  I plan on buying my teenage sister a hardback copy of the book for her next birthday (as she is a John Green fanatic) to make up for my oversight previously.  This book explores the boundaries of relationships - and it shows people in their real element.  Green and Levithan share the story of each Will Grayson so well that each transition is seamless, and the story blends to create a unique voice.  It will be one of my frequent re-reads!