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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, October 19, 2007
Paul is a boy who is highly religious, goes to a Christian school, lives in a very small town, and loves God and his girlfriend of several years. Living in such a small town and going to a small school, everyone knows the new kids.
The knew person, Manuel, is weird. Everyone talks about him, especially when he joins Paul and his friends at their lunch table. Manuel proceeds to tell them that he is both gay and Christian, two things that don't mix well.
The girls love Manuel, but the boys want to stay far away from him -- except for Paul. Manuel is trying to be Pauls friend and all the guys start talking about the both of them.
As Paul and Manuel hang out, a friendship is formed and Paul challenges Manuel about God, the Bible, and being gay. Every answer Manuel gives makes Paul think differently about his religion and what it says. Is being gay okay, and can you still go to Heaven?
While examining his feelings, Paul wonders about his own sexuality and if his friendship for Manuel is just that -- a friendship. When a series of events happens, Paul finds his true feelings, his true identity, and, most importantly, love.
Alex Sanchez's latest novel is amazing. It gives a new interpretation of "the Bible says that being gay is a sin," an excuse that many use. Very thought-provoking, this book will keep a smile on your face until the end.
Reviewed by: Jeremey
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for the holidays, November 24, 2007
This is the ideal book for any teenager, young adult, or parent of a young person struggling with their sexuality and their faith. It explores the terrain of teenage sexuality in such a way that is honest, convincing and deeply respectful of religious beliefs. In the end, it leaves the reader feeling that Christianity can be a source of liberation for all of us rather than an oppressive force.
Refreshingly, the book is also a real page turner. You end up learning quite a bit about the Bible without knowing it! The God Box is the kind of novel you'll devour in one setting yet it's message about faith will stay with you for a long time to come.
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marvelous coming-of-age story, October 26, 2007
The God Box is a marvelous coming-of-age story of a high school senior's struggle with his sexual feelings. It incorporates confusion, fear, sex, anger, Christianity, race, love, alcoholism, homophobia, acceptance, violence, and almost anything else a young gay student may experience.
Paul is a devout Christian in a small town about an hour's drive from Abilene. He sings in his church choir, belongs to a Christian bible study group in school, and prays daily. While he has been dating Angie for several years, he is not comfortable with even the mildest of teen-age sex play. He has been fighting his attraction to boys since puberty.
Manuel transfers to their school at the beginning of their senior year. Manuel is openly, vociferously gay. When another student asks "Is it true you're a fag?" Manuel responds with my favorite line from the book - "Why? Are you? If you are, I'm not interested."
But Paul is attracted to Manuel. The story, written in the first person, chronicles his struggles with his own acceptance of himself and his fear of rejection - or worse - by his father, Angie, and his peers.
This book is very well done. I recommend it for teens; it should be made readily available in every high school and municipal library, and every PFLAG chapter should have a copy for their guests.
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