Am I Blue? edited by Marion Dane Bauer

       

Title:  Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence    Editor:  Marion Dane Bauer
ISBN:  0758795963   Pages:  273
Publisher:  HarperTrophy, New York, 1994

Readers Annotation:
This first ever collection of eighteen short stories address the meaning of gay and lesbian identity in the lives of adolescents. 

Editor Information:

Marion Dane Bauer was born at the edge of a small town called Oglesby in Northern Illinois. Marion attended the University of Missouri where she obtained a degree in English literature. Bauer has written many award winning children's picture books, as well as a large selection of critically acclaimed children's books and young adult books.

Marion Dane Bauer taught high school English before she became a writer. She had two children, Peter and Beth Alison, with her ex-husband Ronald Bauer. Marion currently works for Vermont College, teaching part time in a Master of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

http://www.mariondanebauer.com/about.html

Content:
Am I blue? / Bruce Coville -- We might as well all be strangers / M.E. Kerr -- Winnie and Tommy / Francesca Lia Block -- Slipping away / Jacqueline Woodson -- The honorary shepherds / Gregory Maguire -- Running / Ellen Howard -- Three Mondays in July / James Cross Giblin -- Parents' night / Nancy Garden -- Michael's little sister / C.S. Adler -- Supper / Lesleá Newman -- Holding / Lois Lowry -- Blood sister / Jane Yolen -- Hands / Jonathan London -- 50% chance of lightning / Cristina Salat -- In the tunnels / William Sleator -- Dancing backwards / Marion Dane Bauer.

Critical Evaluation:
Written by a group of notable children's and young adult authors, this anthology provides a high quality compilation of stories. Although a common theme is shared by every one of the entries, each narrative takes on its own unique viewpoint. Therefore, this variety speaks to many teenagers coming from assorted backgrounds and ideologies. Additionally, the reader is exposed to a motley of genres, including humor, fantasy, reality, and science fiction. The character selection is a great blend of different races, and the settings contain various time periods and places. Interestingly enough, many of the authors are not homosexual themselves, yet were able to write realistic and thought provoking stories dealing with the issue. Overall, the integral concept of survival and hope is apparent throughout the book.

Genre:  Varied - Comedy, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Realistic; Short story collection

Curriculum Ties: English reading - Analyze social influences of LGBTQ

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  The main character in the short story Am I blue? is still unsure if he is indeed gay or not, even towards the end of the story. Are you ever unsure if you fit into a category of LGBTQ? 
     2.   In We might as well all be strangers, a girl's lesbianism was surprisingly accepted by her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor . Were you ever in a situation where it took your parents longer to accept you than others?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  13+

Challenge Issue:  LGBTQ themes
- Gay-straight alliance, need more than one viewpoint, serve diverse populace, winner seven awards

- Awards include the ALA Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Award for Literature. Named to the ALA Best Books for Young Adults and ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.
- Recommended book on the LGBTQ Round Table bibliographic list put out by the ALA.

Why I chose this item: I wanted to include a book that speaks specifically to those interested in LGBTQ themes.