Trying Hard to Hear You

Rating:
Summary: Easy Read
Review: A good story although it takes awhile to get to the heart of the matter. Reminds me of my theatre group in highschool. It's a very light book quickly read. Good insight into how someone who's not views the situation since the narrator happens to be a 16 year-old . Overall a good book to read when you have a couple of hours to spare.

Rating:
Summary: This is a must read for young gays, and their friends
Review: Being a gay teen, i can relate to most of the issues that were presented. I've given my copy to friend's to read, and overall most people have enjoyed it. The perspective is great, because it's not like any other gay coming of age novel that i know of.... though it's a little slow to start, it does get better...

Rating:
Summary: Trying Hard to Hear You
Review: Fabulous. I'm so much in awe of this book. It's poignant, and realistic, and intensely, intensely moving. Scoppettone has successfully achieved a realistic voice for Camilla, which is very rare in a lot of books.

I really don't know what to say about this book, except it's a must read for everyone. If you're in the slightest homophobic, it's a real eye opener. In my opinion, it should be a text in every secondary school.

READ IT!

Rating:
Summary: Not the nicest people.
Review: I liked it a lot. AFAIK, (I was a toddler at the time the book is set) it's a fairly accurate portrayal of what teenagers were like in the early '70s. But I have one issue with it.

Phil and Jeff are both pretty crummy towards Camilla. First there's the bit when Phil misinterprets Camilla's *joking* put-down of Jeff's performance, and calls her on it. Instead of saying, "Oh, that's how we are," Jeff *agrees* with him that Camilla is immature! WTF? You don't betray your best friend like that, no matter who you're attracted to, or how strongly. Then they ditch her at the Strawberry Festival, and to top it off, Phil asks her out for the sole purpose of getting information about Jeff. What a jerk, toying with her emotions like that!

Perhaps this was Scoppettone's way of showing that gay people have human flaws and frailties like the rest of us, but it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I thought this was an awesome book. It was so realistic and sad. I liked how the author really described every situation so completely. I loved it!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: The characters in this book are based on real people, thinly disguised. I was one of those involved (Walt); it's odd to see yourself and your friends in a novel.

The book is generally a good read, with a strong message. The plot isn't exactly smooth, but it does have some important things to say. I'm glad to see it's still in print.

Rating:
Summary: It's strange to read about yourself.
Review: The characters in this book are based on real people, thinly disguised. I was one of those involved (Walt); it's odd to see yourself and your friends in a novel.

The book is generally a good read, with a strong message. The plot isn't exactly smooth, but it does have some important things to say. I'm glad to see it's still in print.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: This is a book set in the early 70's. Though it takes place 30 years ago, the issues are still taking place today. It is about a large group of friend involved in a Drama program. Over the summer they find out two of their friends are gay. Immediately they turn on them, even their best friend, Camilla. Eventually the taunting leads to two deaths. This book really shows how a person's actions affect others. A simple books that any and every high school student should read and most would enjoy.

I was hooked from the first page. I can't believe that people are treated this way. Well, I can believe, but I don't understand why. I really think everyone should read this book early on in life.