Debbie Harry Sings in French [Hardcover]

Meagan Brothers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2008

Johnny’s had kind of a tough life so far, and he’s always been a bit of a freak. His goth look usually includes black nail polish and a little mascara.When he discovers Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie, he not only likes her music but realizes that he kind of, sort of, wants to BE her. He’d like to be cool and tough and beautiful like her. He’d like to dress like her. He’s not gay, at least he doesn’t think so. So what does it mean? And what should he tell his amazing new girlfriend?

This wise, hip novel introduces shades of gray into the black-andwhite ideas of sexuality and gender. Anyone who has ever wished they could be a little bit tough and a little bit glamorous will recognize themselves in Johnny.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—In 1990s Tampa, a week after Johnny's 13th birthday, his father dies in a horrible auto accident, his mother shuts down, and the boy is left to cope for himself. While somehow managing to maintain his grades and pay the bills, he also takes up the goth lifestyle and begins drinking so heavily that by 16 he ends up in a hospital from an accidental overdose. After a stint in rehab where he first hears and falls in love with singer Debbie Harry, Johnny is shipped off to live with his paternal uncle in South Carolina. Bullies at Langley Prep taunt him because they think he is gay, but with his supportive new girlfriend, Maria, and understanding Uncle Sam, Johnny finally realizes that he has more than a fixation on the performer. He wants to sing and dress like her. Maria encourages him to enter a competition as Debbie Harry at a drag club in Atlanta, and his uncle reveals surprising details about his father. With such a problem-heavy novel, at times the book comes close to overpowering the real "problem"—Johnny's transvestism. Still, having a straight, cross-dressing protagonist is groundbreaking YA fiction.—Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield
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From Booklist

Debut author Brothers tackles the topic of teenage transvestism in this ode to ’80s music. After a stint in rehab where the music of Blondie becomes his recovery touchstone, 16-year-old former alcoholic Johnny is sent to live with his uncle to start anew. School bullies call him “faggot,” but eyeliner-wearing Johnny knows he’s not gay because he’s smitten with Maria, a Goth chick who shares his love of ’80s punk. Maria helps him explore his need to cross-dress by encouraging him to enter a drag contest as Debbie Harry, while Johnny’s unconditional love helps her come to terms with past suicidal impulses. With Maria’s support and his family’s gradual acceptance, Johnny learns to proudly embrace his inner Debbie. Though the story takes time to build momentum and the prose occasionally slides into cliché, this compelling and ultimately uplifting novel fills a niche in the growing body of GLBTQ literature for teens. Offer this to groupies of James St. James’ Freak Show (2007), Cecil Castelucci’s Beige (2007), and Ellen Wittlinger’s Parrotfish (2007). Grades 8-12. --Jennifer Hubert

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805080805
• ISBN-13: 978-0805080803
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,254,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tough and Beautiful, May 30, 2008

By 

Person (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debbie Harry Sings in French (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful, one of a kind book-- it is funny and tender and it also rocks! Johnny's voice is so warm, so believable across all his hardships and inner struggles, and Maria is heartbreakingly genuine. The story is fresh, life-affirming, without turning away from sorrow.

The book really captures what it feels like to be in love: not just young love, but deep connection at any age. I read this book on a plane and was both laughing (out loud) and at other times literally wiping tears from my eyes.

The story also celebrates the healing power of music and the way our heroes, however unlikely, can help our true, best self emerge. The writing itself is sensational: easy-going and true.

This is not just another young adult book. It is a wholly moving, terrifically entertaining story about first love, emerging sexuality, and of course Blondie. A+.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIghly recommended, June 17, 2008

By 

NY Music Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Debbie Harry Sings in French (Hardcover)

An engaging, touching, endearing, funny, and beautiful story about the struggle to know oneself. An easy, enjoyable read that makes you laugh out loud and touches you at the same time. I'm terrible at writing reviews, but I just finished this book and felt the need to tell others. Buy it, read it, you won't be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fan Mail, June 30, 2008

By 

feralduck "Opinions reasonably priced!" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Debbie Harry Sings in French (Hardcover)

There's something in everyone that makes us feel distanced from our peers at one time or another. During the teenage years, that distance can be felt most keenly, and mocked fiercely. This novel deals with the feelings of some of those children who pass through the gauntlet of being "different".
Some kids achieve a comfort zone with their individuality; some, unfortunately do not, and end up drugged out, or compromise their principles to fit in, or, in extreme cases, choose to end it all.
This story explores the lives of two such teens, and how they deal with their respective pains and attempt to find a place for themselves in the world is the premise of this sure-handed first novel.
Geared for the teen audience, the book does not dumb down the language, nor preach homilies; instead, it speaks clearly to all teens who question those things that make them who they are, especially if those things fall outside the "norm" of what society tolerates.
A very promising start from an author I hope we hear much more from.