Reading Rants! Out of the Ordinary Teen Booklists!

Everyone can remember the first time his or her best friend chose a girlfriend or boyfriend over him or her. It sucks. All of sudden, it’s like you don’t even exist. The only thing your best friend wants to talk about is how cute he is or what a great kisser she is. Emi-Lou is starting to feel that way, too, except that her best friend Yvonne hasn’t got a new guy, but has instead fallen in love with a girl on her softball team, the ironically nick-named Babes. Now, people in her school are starting to question and make fun of Emi-Lou’s sexuality as well. Add that to the already emotional backpack of having an absentee mom, an unknown dad and a massive weight problem, and Emi-Lou is not a happy camper. But through a series of painful experiences, she sheds most of that baggage and learns to think for and love herself. What’s so great about this book is watching Emi-Lou realize that it doesn’t matter if Yvonne is a lesbian or not, she (Emi-Lou) can be straight and still love Yvonne just as much. For all of you out there who are still a little bit uncomfortable with your friend’s sexuality, this one’s for you.