Erik & Isabelle Freshman Year at Foresthill High

Rating:
Summary: so many better books
Review: at times, i found the book painful to read; i had to force myself through it for the sake of my education. it was a book so obviously written by a teacher spreading the word of how we should all love gay people - which is of course true - but there are so many other books out there telling us that, far better, and far far far less didactically. so much of the book struck me as an effort to empart wisdom and understanding to the gentle reader ; cheerleaders can be nice as well, cheerleaders are preocupied with self image, while working with comfortable stereotypes - hippys are accepting of gay people, millitary men are not. the book was so agonisingly squeaky clean - the great, rock bottom fall for isobelle was _ one - lone episode of binge drinking, which landed her in hospital - how realistic is that?

if you want a good book on being a queer teen, try "girl walking backwards," "Gravel Girl," "Annie on my mind" - and if you want it clean cut and all american pretty, "love rules" may have a little didacticism to it, but at least it doesn't make you cringe so much it hurts.

Rating:
Summary: Took me back to High School....
Review: Erik and Isabelle is a delightful read that touched my heart and my memories. Kim has done an incredible job capturing the depths of emotion and despair, the fragility of new love and exploration, the fear of rejection and the struggle of standing up to a world that just does not know what to do with you. All I can say is, when do I get to start my sophomore year? I can't wait for the next book. If this book can help just one marginalized and struggling gay and/or lesbian teen to understand they are not alone or unworthy of God's love, it will have been worth all the effort that has gone into its production. Thank you Kim for stepping out and challenging us to relive a time in our lives that holds some of our best and our worse memories.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read...
Review: Erik and Isablle was a great book with characters that were easy to relate to. I just started high school about a month ago, so it helped me realize that there will be people there for me and there may be some that will understand things I'm going through. I am actually bisexual, although not many people know. It's not something that you bring up in everyday conversation. I truly admire Isabelle for coming out, and not caring that everybody knows that she's a lesbian. It shows how much courage she has, and also that she doesn't mind being herself. I don't mind people knowing that I'm bi, but I don't just bring it up out of the blue. If someone asks, then I'll tell them. It's just a very inspiring book, and I think that people of all ages would really enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I travel and work in the gay community and have always wanted something hopeful to leave behind for the teenagers I meet who are struggling with their sexual identities. I can never give them just one answer - Tell your parents/don't tell them, tell your friends/don't tell them, etc. This book explores so many creative responses and realistic outcomes that I can leave it with them knowing they'll find SOME answer in there. Well written, fun to read, nothing pat or formulaic - great read.

Rating:
Summary: Send it to all the teenagers you know
Review: I work a lot with at-risk young people and I have NEVER found fiction that is so in tune with them. Erik & Isabelle is right there in the classroom with such believable situations and conduct that I stopped reading it just to see if kids I know would like it and started reading it to heal some of my own (long ago) high school scars. What a great job. On the edge of my seat - not as in reading a contrived mystery novel, but the way we were in high school: "What does she really think? Will he do what he said he would? How are they going to react? Will Mom find out???" Brilliant combination of healing and fun.

Rating:
Summary: Oh, The Pains of High School!
Review: It is so easy to get wrapped up in the imagery and life of Erik and Isabelle. I found myself reliving some of the painful and good moments of high school, almost 35 years ago.

Young people now have gay fictional characters they can relate to in Erik and Isabelle. Also, this book may open dialogue among many students as they are introduced to high school and a world of diversity.

Rating:
Summary: tragic.....tragically badly written
Review: This has to be the worst "breakdown" I have read in years. If not only terrible unrealistic, tragically written and incredibly disappointing, I would not even recommend that you use it for target practice. It is far too bad. It is a shame to the the gay and lesbian writing community. You can tell it is written by a straight woman trying to build high school acceptance in the classroom.

DO NOT PURCHASE!!!

Rating:
Summary: I wish I had been Isabelle
Review: When I was in high school I was more like Mandy, the girl who can't come out. I wish I could have been like Isabelle and reading this book brought me back there and was almost as good as if I had been able to. I loved the characters and the way things worked out for them. I can't wait for the next book to come out. This is a book that almost any queer person can find something that resonates in. For my students it is a wonderful additon to the classroom library. One student said this was "The best book she has ever read".

Rating:
Summary: Meeting a need with love and understanding
Review: Where do young, gay, teenagers turn with their questions, their needs, their problems? Many are struggling and need someone to understand.

Erik and Isabelle share their trials and joys, their heartaches and their victories. They are no different from any other teen ager, they just feel, within themselves, that they are.

I relived, with them, my teen years, striving to find someone who would care about me. Looking for someone to bring me happiness. That, after all is what we are all looking for.

Thank you, Kim, for bringing these two young people to life and showing our dear, gay youth that we are all alike and looking for the same things in life.

I can't wait for the next book. I trust this book will help those who are searching for someone to understand.