Customer Reviews

Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence

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What an awesome book! "Am I Blue?" is a collection of sixteen stories dealing with what it's like to grow up as a gay or lesbian teenager. The story that came closest to me personally was M.E. Kerr's "We might as well all be strangers" because it talks about a Jewish girl who comes out to both her mother and her grandmother. Surprisingly, her grandmother is much more accepting of the girl's sexuality since she had visited Nazi Germany under Hitler and knew what it was like to feel excluded. And in a twist of irony, the girl's mother says that her grandmother would be upset if she found out - perhaps just an indication that we don't know our parents quite as well as we think that we do! As it is my family, tolerance has appeared to have skipped a generation from grandparents to grandchildren, making the generation inbetween "strangers" in the family. To quote the book... "strangers take a long time to become acquainted, especially when they come from the same family."

Another story that I liked was "Am I Blue?" by Bruce Coville since it has let me see the world in shades of blue rather than black and white. Editor Marion Dane Bauer's contribution, "Dancing Backwards", is not only well-writen, but also has a good moral: don't look to others for direction - trust yourself. Finally, "Three Mondays in July" by James Cross Giblin was just the most fascinating story in the entire book. It helped me put a good perspective on what it would have been like to grow up gay in 1951.

Overall, as I said, the book was excellent. And the best part is that you don't have to be gay to read the book or to appreciate the stories - I'd bet that straight readers would get just as much out of the book as the intended gay audience! If you're thinking about reading it - don't hesistate! It will please even the most cynical readers :)

This is a wonderful book. It's funny, it's involving, it's moving, it's just fabulous. Not only that, it can do so much good. These stories are honest and this book is one no teen should go without reading. I can honestly say this book is one of the best I've ever read and it's probably going to be the first thing I give my parents when I come out to them, yes I know, it's time already! Hey, I'm only 15, give me a few more years!

Written over ten years ago, AM I BLUE? is still as important today as it was then. A short-story collection dealing with GLBT (gay/lesbian/ bisexual/transgender) issues by some of 1995's top authors, this book is a true gem for teens searching for their identity--or just looking for a good read. With stories ranging from contemporary paranormal, to ones set in the 1950's, to one based during the Vietnam War, and even one in another world of Amazon warriors, there's something here for everyone.

Stories include:

AM I BLUE? by Bruce Coville
WE MIGHT AS WELL ALL BE STRANGERS by M. E. Kerr
WINNIE AND TOMMY by Francesca Lia Block
SLIPPING AWAY by Jacqueline Woodson
THE HONORARY SHEPHERDS by Gregory Maguire
RUNNING by Ellen Howard
THREE MONDAYS IN JULY by James Cross Giblin
PARENTS' NIGHT by Nancy Garden
MICHAEL'S LITTLE SISTER by C. S. Adler
SUPPER by Leslea Newman
HOLDING by Lois Lowry
BLOOD SISTER by Jane Yolen
HANDS by Jonathan London
50% CHANCE OF LIGHTNING by Cristina Salat
IN THE TUNNELS by William Sleator
DANCING BACKWARDS by Marion Dane Bauer

It's hard to pick a favorite from this collection, as each story has something different to offer. From allowing everyone in the world to see who is gay, to wondering what it would have been like to have two gay shepherds at the birth of Christ, to manning a booth about gays and lesbians at a school parents' night, each short story has an engaging story to tell.

The only thing that would make this book better is to have a part two--another AM I BLUE? published in 2006 with some of today's best GLBT authors like Julie Anne Peters, Brent Hartinger, David Levithan, and more.

This treasure should be everywhere because it will save lives. Really. All of these stories, because they are written by authors who frequently write for a very demanding reading audience (i.e.teenagers), are immediately involving, beautifully crafted, truly oustanding. Ease on in with the first story "Am I Blue" by Bruce Coville a clever, light and amusing play on the word "blue." William Sleator's "In The Tunnels" will surprise because much of it is true. In M.E. Kerr's story, Alison's grandmother thanks her for confiding in her about being gay. Her grandmother tells her she is proud that Alison told her first because, as she explains in detail to Alison, she experienced being Jewish in Germany in the 1930s, and "...you don't have to tell me about what it feels like to be an outsider." James Cross Giblin explores the coming-of-age of a young many in the 1950s, a different, yet not so different, world. The editor collected these stories because, as she writes, "On

As a straight college student who has many gay friends, I thought this book was phenomenal. Am I Blue is a collection of 16 different short stories dealing with common problems facing the gay community. I feel that there is something that everyone can take away from this book, gay and straight alike. I was really touched by each characters story and now I can better understand what the gay community is going through. Am I Blue does a really good job of putting the truth out there. So many people are scared to talk about controversial issues such as homosexuality but this book does not sugarcoat it. Topics such as sex, confusion, homophobia, and harassment are all addressed in these short stories.
The many authors that contributed to this work took time in their writing. You can tell that they were not just writing these stories to pay the bills. There was passion and concern, a real drive to make a difference with each and every author. They each took a personal risk and put themselves on the line when they spoke out. I admire that.
When reading this book, one must keep an open mind. Because like I said many controversial issues are discussed. If one goes in with a set idea in their head then, one will not be able to except the book for what it is really worth.
Again, Am I Blue is an amazing book. I would recommend it to anyone with an open mind who is looking for some comfort or is just wanting a glimpse of what it is like to be gay in this world.

I absolutly loved this book. Not only is it entertaining, it's informative as well. There were stories focusing on all aspects of being BLGT teen, or in situations with others who are. AIDS, religion, and growing up gay yourself. Some, like Am I Blue? were more lighthearted in their aproach. Others, like Micheal's Little Sister or Three Mondays in July concentrated on coming to grips and realising and accepting yourself. All of these stories in one way or another teach you something.
This is a wonderful book and wether you are homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual or just curious, this book is a wonderful way to teach yourself and enjoy yourself at the same time.

I picked up this book when I was starting to write a story about two lesbian teenagers to do some research, to find out what might be going through these girls heads, and it sent me on my own path of questioning my sexuality. Before reading this book, I was adamantly straight, but after reading it I saw myself in several of the characters. Some of my favorites are Ellen Howards 'Running', Nancy Garden's 'Parents' Night' and Gregory Maguire's hilarious yet touching 'The Honorary Shepherds'. Some of the author's in here are very well known, like M.E. Kerr, Nancy Garden and Francesca Lia Block, others I'd certainly never heard of, but I'd recommend every story in the book to anyone with an open mind.

The stories in this book are diverse, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, sometimes both; but although they are not preachy, there is a message that underlies all of them: you are not alone. I highly recommend this book for use in high schools -- it handles the subject of homosexuality in a variety of ways, from many points of view, so that anyone can find something they can identify with. "Parents' Night" made me cry at the end. Twice. And I never cry. The title story is hilarious. Yes, it's an allegory, but it's a funny allegory. Great for kids who are gay or questioning, and great for kids who aren't.

_Am I Blue?_ is a brilliant YA anthology that should be required reading in every classroom! Dealing with homosexuality in teenagers and their parents and friends, these stories will move any reader--gay, straight, questioning, or bisexual. This anthology helps gay kids understand that they are not alone, while shining a light on what it feels like to be homosexual for straight readers. The stories have similar themes, but range in genre, giving every reader something to thoroughly enjoy. I can't recommend it strongly enough!

My only complaint is that there were no stories that really focused on a bisexual character.

I first read this collection as a gay high schooler in a very small town. I found it in a collection of books my English teacher had in her classroom library. Eventually, I got the nerve to ask to borrow it. It was immensely cathartic. At the time, there were few images (literary or otherwise) that were relatable to me. This collection really allowed me to see that there were people in the world with whom I could identify. Even though I didn't know those people at the time, it reminded me that one day I would and that was very comforting. This is a must have for English teachers, librarians, and parents with gay children.