Rainbow High

Wonderful to listen to the trials of three kids as they come to a great understanding of themselves. ( )

Nelson Glassman and Kyle Meeks, best friends for many years, are gay teens at Walt Whitman High School. Kyle becomes romantically involved with basketball jock Jason Carrillo, while Nelson embarks on a strained relationship with Jeremy, who has tested positive for HIV. Jason comes out to his teammates and endures public scrutiny on television, eventually losing his athletic scholarship. On the homefront, Kyle's parents desperately want him to attend Princeton, although this would mean leaving Jason behind, and Nelson's mother insists that he end his relationship with Jeremy. Throughout these vicissitudes, the young men provide support for one another as graduation approaches.

Nelson is anxiously waiting for the results of his HIV test - and falling in love with a boy who's already positive. Jason has the boyfriend of his dreams, even if they aren't public yet - but is he ready to give up his educaiton so they can stay together? And is Kyle ready to come out to the entire school? The Rainbow Boys are back, and their stories are as full of humour, feeling, and drama as ever. ( )

Gay teenage boys fall in love, deal with the outing of a high school sports star, and contemplate their future after high school. The sequel to Rainbow Boys.

An interesting and enjoyable book, I loved the characters and the way Sanchez is able to give them voices that rings true.

It is, of course, very American-flavoured for this Aussie reader, which adds another dimension to the read – understanding American high schools, and the college selection process.

But it is the characters who drive this story. Nelson, who is waiting for the results of his HIV test, is dating Jeremy, who is HIV positive. Jason has to determine what effect it would have on his basketball career if he should come out, when so much depends on his scholarship for college. His boyfriend Kyle must decide whether to accept his offer from Princeton, when it would mean being so far away from Jason.

Sanchez writes with such clarity and confidence about such issues as coming out, safe sex and homophobia, and he mixes it in with universal issues such as first love, and the doubts, conflicts and sheer joy of falling in love. The balance seems just right, resulting in a well-crafted story.

Thoroughly caught up in these boys lives, I’ll be looking for the other titles in this series. ( )