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.
The author of the novels Keeping You a Secret (2003) and Luna (2004) shows she's an even better short story writer. Continuing with her themes of coming out and the experiences of young lesbians, the 10 stories here present different but equally polished facets of varied experience and emotion. Characters include a transgendered youth who identifies as a "boi," a teenage girl with a crush on her young teacher, campers who share a passion for one another as well as for music, and a brazen young woman who questions the ambiguities of terms such as virginity and abstinence when applied to herself. Accessible and credible, the stories belong in teen collections not only because of their sympathetic yet clear-eyed depictions of minority sexual orientation but also for their exemplary crafting. Goldsmith, Francisca
About the Author
Julie Anne Peters is the critically acclaimed author of Define "Normal," Keeping You a Secret, Far from Xanadu, Between Mom and Jo, and Luna, a National Book Award Finalist. She lives with her partner, Sherri Leggett, in Lakewood, CO.
