This is a beautiful book, not just because of how it is presented, but also because its content. Next to 40 stunning black and white photographs appear painful and sometimes funny feelings, stories, and coming out experiences of teens who are not afraid to show who they are. The captions to each picture contain text that is written in the teen’s own handwriting, which makes each of their stories that much more personal and touching. Chris writes about how hard it is to be a closeted gay in a close-knit, Irish Catholic community, while Mollie poses with her obviously loving parents whom she came out to long ago. The book’s title comes from the fact that no matter how different we all are ethnically or sexually, we all share the same heart. I totally agree. With escalating violence against gays in the news, this book promotes tolerance and peace. It’s a keeper.
Reality Bites!
The Shared Heart: Portraits and Stories celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual young people by Photographs by Adam Mastoon
05.03
“A Totally Alien Life Form”: Teenagers by Sydney Lewis
05.03
Sydney Lewis interviewed about 60 teens to get this collection of 40 essays that document teen life, liberty and pursuit of popularity. She divides the essays into subjects like “Outcasts”, “Faith” and “Secrets”. The essays are written in the teens’ own words, with just a short intro to each where Lewis provides brief background info and a physical description. What’s cool about Lewis is that she’s worked closely with Studs Terkel, a cultural historian who’s written books on everything from WWII to the state of America in the 80’s. With greatness like that rubbing off on her, Lewis is golden. Last, but not least, this hefty volume definitely has the coolest cover – with black and white stripes and magazine cut-out faces. Give it a look-see!
Coming of Age: The True Adventures of Two American Teens by G. Wayne Miller
05.03
Except for the lameness of the title (hello, MOST books about teens are some sort of coming of age story) this is actually a pretty good book. Like A Tribe Apart, it documents the day to day lives of Dave and Beth, two teens from the class of ’93. However, Miller doesn’t interject as much of his opinions as Hersch did in Tribe. He basically just observes, takes in the action, and saves his shtick until the afterword. Again, this book is interesting because the fly-on-the-wall perspective. As teens, we all want to know what other teens are up to and how close they are to being like us. The good news is, by reading the books listed here, you’ll find out that you’re all normal (if definitely not all the same!).