grl2grl: Short fictions by Julie Anne Peters

From the Publisher

In this honest, emotionally captivating short story collection, renowned author and National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters offers a stunning portrayal of young women as they navigate the hurdles of relationships and sexual identity. From the young lesbian taking her first steps toward coming out to the two strangers who lock eyes across a crowded train, from the transgender teen longing for a sense of self to the girl whose abusive father has turned her to stone, Peters is the master of creating characters whose own vulnerability resonates with readers and stays with them long after the last page is turned. Grl2grl shows the rawness of teenage emotion as young girls become women and begin to discover the intricacies of love, dating and sexuality.

Publishers Weekly

Peters's (Luna) short stories focus mostly on young lesbians but also take in teens struggling with other gender and sexuality issues. Their conflicts range from commonplace (Mariah tries to summon the nerve to attend a Gay/Straight Alliance meeting; Kat wonders if the cellist she likes at music camp returns her feelings) to extreme (Cammie, sexually abused by her father almost nightly, worries that she will never feel pleasure; transgendered Vince, née Eva, is assaulted by a group of guys after work). Regardless of the intensity of the characters' struggles, girls of any sexual orientation will feel quickly drawn into the lives glimpsed here, thanks to the authenticity of Peters's voices. However, many of the stories feel like the beginnings of intriguing novels rather than standalone works, and endings can seem arbitrary. On the other hand, teens searching for a fast read, especially in an underserved subject, will be gratified to find this collection, and the author's ability to bring such a diverse cast to life is impressive. Ages 15-up. (Sept.)

VOYA

In this short story collection, Peters navigates the varied emotional terrain of the lesbian teenager. There is something for everyone here, gay and straight alike. The issues that the stories explore encompass a wide range of teen emotions and experiences, from the girl who keeps returning to an emotionally abusive relationship to the teen with a crush on her teacher. Teens spend their adolescent years coming to grips with self-identity; however, as these stories tenderly reveal, that process takes on an added poignancy when the identity in question is still a cultural taboo. Peters provides readers with a window into the worlds of a transgender teen, a stone-butch abuse survivor, and ordinary teens in various stages of self-acceptance. Not every teen will pick up this book, but those who do will find their efforts rewarded with beautifully written prose, characters who are hauntingly real, and honestly portrayed emotions. Peters gives eloquent voice to a marginalized group, which alone merits this book's inclusion in teen collections. Librarians and teachers should be aware of the clear descriptions of each character's experiences, which include incest, sexual situations, and a gay-bashing scene. It also contains stories of great beauty, strength, and courage. For straight teens, this collection will be a haunting revelation and a chance to feel someone else's experience; for gay teens, these tenderly written stories will provide an emotional lifeline of acceptance.

Corinda J. HumphreyCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information. - School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up
This collection consists of 10 short stories, all written in first person, about being a girl-in love with another girl, hurt by another girl, abused by a parent, born into the wrong body. The selections read like personal journal entries about the characters' secret thoughts and feelings. Aimee questions her sex ed teacher about abstinence, asking if it applies to her, and the teacher replies, "I guess that's between you and your god." Another teen describes herself as a "stone cold butch"; after a lifetime of sexual abuse from her father, she doesn't know how to feel. Peters's stories deal with mature subject matter but are quick and easy to read. The author does not shy away from difficult or controversial topics, and these selections may appeal to someone exploring GLBTQ literature for the first time.

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