Top 10: For Annie and Liza
I love Annie on My Mind. I personally think it should be a book choice for those in schools, not a forced book, but a reading choice for those reading classes where you have to choose one of five books on relationships and write about themes, and what did you learn from these books. Yes, there would be some that would be all upset because it is a GLBTQ book, but there would be others (and I bet many others) that would cheer for it’s inclusion.
I wrote in my earlier post about how it was hard for me to find books like Annie when I went looking. For the record, I’m not GLBT or Q; for personal reasons in my life I am an *extremely* vocal straight ally. For those who liked Annie on My Mind, here are my personal Top 10 books that would go on a booklist with Annie and Liza, in no particular order.
Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters. Cece and Holland have to hide their growing relationship just as Annie and Liza did, and when their relationship is found out, it has serious repercussions.
Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle. When a friendship is blown apart by a kiss, Lissa must learn who she is and start accepting who she is.
The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson. It’s always been Nina, Avery and Mel, BFFs… until one summer when it starts to be Avery and Mel, together.
Empress of the World by Sara Ryan. When Nic falls in love with Battle, she must struggle to figure out if she’s bisexual, lesbian, or if she really needs any label at all…
The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson. Not as obvious as some of the others, but Staggerlee definitely fits into this list.
Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn. When Very gets sent to “unplug” during her electronic addition rehab, she learns that her love has been right in front of her all along.
Sister Mischief by Laura Goode. After Esme confirms that she is definitely “a homo. Like, Same-Sex City, Esme”, her feelings for another band member may become too much to handle.
Perfect by Ellen Hopkins. When Cara, ever so perfect Cara, decides that she needs to come out about her preferences to everyone, what will she have to give up?
Pink by Lili Wilkinson. Trying to be “normal” for once by transferring to a new school, Ava hides her relationship with Chloe while trying to figure out just who she wants to be.
A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner. After Julia dies, Cass is left questioning her own identity, including her sexuality- can she find herself and learn to live without Julia?
Filed under: Booklists, GLBTQ, GLBTQ Fiction, Reader's Advisory, Teen Issues, Top 10s
About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
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I think The Miseducation of Cameron Post by emily m. danforth would be a good contribution to this list too; it's one of the best books with GLTBQ themes/characters I've read.
I have heard great things about it but haven't read it yet. Also, I am in love with Ask the Passengers by A. S. King – I think everyone should read it
I loved both The Mideducation of Cameron Post and Ask the Passengers… In fact, they're both nominated for The Rainbow Project List this year… Definitely would be perfect additions to a bibliography looking at loves like this!
🙂