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June 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-Sheldon is a senior in high school with a girlfriend he really loves when he shocks himself by kissing a boy. His journey of discovery as he confronts his bisexulatiy is made all the more difficult by confused friendships, self-doubt, and school bullies. Davey tells the story from teen Sheldon's point of view in 1988, with footnotes from his older self. The footnotes are an attempt to clarify era-specific pop culture references and add levity, but they mostly fall flat and are so numerous that they sometimes interfere with the reading experience. Despite the compassion Davey shows in exploring the important and often overlooked issue of bisexual identity, the book fails to provide an interesting story or believable characters. The protagonist's actions are atypical of a young man struggling with his sexuality in an intolerant time (coming out to his girlfriend only a day after considering bisexuality, giving a sudden speech about his sexuality despite direct threats of serious violence, etc.) and his life outside of his bisexuality is nonexsistent. Secondary characters are flat and disposable, appearing and disappearing almost at random. The plot is scattered and uneven, making it hard to stay engaged in the story. The messages, too, are difficult to sort through, particularly when Sheldon refuses to give anyone the names of students who physically attacked himself and another student, claiming that they need to deal with it on their own. VERDICT Not recommended unless specific titles on male bisexuality are needed.-Amy Diegelman, Vineyard Haven Public Library, MA

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