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Rainbow Boys Audiobook
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(3.00) - 6,271 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Jason Carrillo is a jock with a steady girlfriend, but he can't stop dreaming about sex—with other guys. Kyle Meeks doesn't look gay, but he is. And he hopes he never has to tell anyone—especially his parents. Nelson Glassman is "out" to the entire world, but he can't tell the boy he loves that he wants to be more than just friends.Three teenage boys, coming of age and out of the closet.
In a revealing debut novel that percolates with passion and wit, Alex Sanchez follows these very different high school seniors as their struggles with sexuality and intolerance draw them into a triangle of love, betrayal, and, ultimately, friendship.
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"I would have loved to have had a book like this around when I was in high school. It follows three high school seniors who are dealing with being gay. Each is at different level of acceptance and being out to their families. Kyle, Nelson, and Jason each come from very different families and social groups, but what they each deal with is what draws them together. The book follows the trio through the first half of their senior year as they come out to families, fall in love, create a Gay-Straight Alliance at school, are gay bashed and bullied, and grow as young men. The book is blunt with its language and willingness to deal with sexuality, which is as it should be. Books for straight teenagers aren't shy about being blunt with sexuality, violence, and real human emotions. So why should a book geared towards gay teens be any different? The writing is very good, allowing the reader to really understand and care about these three characters. All the situations they find themselves are honest and relevant. If I had read this as a teenager, it would have been a powerful and affirming piece of literature. You don't have to be a teenager to really connect and get something from the story. I'm eagerly going to start reading the next book in this trilogy. Can't wait!"
— Josh (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Groundbreaking.”
— Time Out New York -
“A forthright portrayal of growing up gay.”
— USA Today -
“Realistic and remarkably honest.”
— Lambda Book Report -
“When a work of fiction embodies such accuracy and emotional complexity, there is but one word to describe it: true.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) -
“First-novelist Sanchez writes with passion and understanding as well as some welcome humor, but it’s issues, not characters, that drive this novel…[with] sympathetic characters who rise above the stereotypical and—most important—its focus on love as the heart of homosexuality. Ultimately, the author demonstrates, coming out is really coming in—entering a circle of support and self-acceptance that may lead to a more universal community of acceptance and tolerance.”
— Booklist -
“This gutsy, in-your-face debut novel speaks the language of real life for gay teens, that of the ecstasy, heartache, and humor of first love (and sex), that of daily harassment and fear, that of having what it takes to stand up and be proud of who you are. There will no doubt be challenges to Rainbow Boys, much like the challenges of Judy Blume’s Forever when it was published in the 1970s. But please, have the courage to make it available to those who need it—it can open eyes and change lives.”
— School Library Journal -
“The characters’ complicated feelings are well drawn, and readers will find themselves interested in each of the protagonists’ lives. Sanchez creates modern situations that speak to contemporary teens…Some of the language and sexual situations may be too mature for some readers, but overall there’s enough conflict, humor, and tenderness to make this story believable—and touching.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Thought-provoking and informative for all young adults.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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Finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Best Children’s/Young Adult Novel
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An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Rainbow Boys Listener Reviews
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" I love me a good coming out story. "
— David, 2/8/2014 -
" rainbow boys was an amazing book. It was especially interesting to me because i am a supporter of gay rights. this was a touching story of 2 best friends who happen to be homosexual, and 1 boy who is confused about his sexuality. Kyle, Jason, and Nelson continue their journey in realizing that you shouldn't be afraid to show who you really are, and that you shouldn't feel like you need to hide youself from others. This book will have your eyes glued to the pages hoping the book goes on forever. This book is not just good, its greaaat! i highly recommend it to people who enjoy reading about issues that some teenagers go through. "
— Alice, 2/3/2014 -
" An amazing story about three gay teens who are all in different places in their lives as far as their sexuality goes. The alternating perspectives make you love each character and cheer for their accomplishments and progress with finding love. Deals with sexuality (duh), homophobia, violence, HIV/AIDS, family stuff, and more. "
— Kelsey, 1/15/2014 -
" I think this book really teachs people the real life trobles gay or bisexual people face every day. it goes through them and handels them like every kid should. i am in love with this series!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Lili-nicole, 1/6/2014 -
" A good book for teens who are questioning their sexuality -- good realistic characters. I really liked how it was told from the point of view of three different people, so teens reading it can see three different perspectives, and probably relate to at least one of them. "
— Sara, 12/20/2013 -
" Super quick read. Good storyline and pretty darn entertaining. Jason was my favorite character : ) "
— Jamie, 10/30/2013 -
" It was awhile go when I read this. If I remember, it was my very first LGBTQ book I ever read. It was a really well written book and I greatly enjoyed it. "
— Jarod, 10/26/2013 -
" Second book that I read with one of my friends at the same time, I finished first! I loved the characters so much. My favorite was Nelson he made me laugh and want to cry with the actions that he made. I love how the author ended the book and I can't wait to read the next book! "
— Brittany, 10/24/2013 -
" This book is so heartfelt. It shows each side of how boys deal with being gay and falling in love. From being out and proud to hiding a deep secret each chapter follows one character after another. You get to know and love all 3 boys. "
— Carole, 8/30/2013 -
" I had fun reading it, great, entertaining story. Finished it over a weekend. But there is nothing spectacular about it, written poorly... Like a kids journal. But the story was well crafted, just a bit on the predictable side. "
— Ana, 7/17/2013 -
" rlly good story couldnt put it down "
— Sherice, 6/1/2013 -
" Quite a page turner - loved the way each of the three boys represented different personalities and had families who represented different reactions. "
— Sbe, 5/25/2013 -
" Three gay high school boys deal with their own sets of struggles over the course of a school year--I really liked the focus on the angst that all teens feel and the relationships between friends. "
— Libby, 4/8/2013 -
" While I'm impressed by the way Alex Sanchez handles topics like coming out, first sexual encounters, and homophobia, I'm frustrated by the writing, which seems stilted in many portions of the book, and by the degree to which the homophobic characters appear completely flat. "
— Liz, 3/28/2013 -
" This is one of those books that is surprisingly good. I didn't expect it to be bad or anything, just not to like it as much as I did. "
— Stephanie, 10/18/2012
About Alex Sanchez
Alex Sanchez spent almost fifteen years working with youth. He is the author of the teen novels Boyfriends with Girlfriends, Bait, The God Box, Getting It, Rainbow Boys, Rainbow High, and Rainbow Road, as well as the Lambda Award–winning middle-grade novel So Hard to Say. Lambda Literary Foundation honored Alex with an Outstanding Mid-Career Novelists’ Prize. He lives in Thailand and Hollywood, Florida.
About Alston Brown
Alston Brown is an actor and writer, currently enrolled as an MFA candidate in the Brown University / Trinity Repertory Company’s acting program. He has worked extensively in theater in New York and regionally, including workshops of the Broadway play Next Fall and at the Sundance Institute, and appeared in the film Observe and Report. Alston lives in Providence, Rhode Island.