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Rainbow Boys (Paperback)

by Alex Sanchez (Author) "Jason Carrillo walked around the block a third time, working up his courage to go into the brownstone..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jack Ransom, Jason Carrillo, Coach Cameron (more...)

4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Sanchez's debut novel chronicles the senior year of three gay teens struggling with issues ranging from coming out to first love to an HIV scare. The story lines communicate a hint of an educational agenda (Sanchez sprinkles in the names of support groups like Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays into the novel, and lists contact information for organizations at the end), but 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: Nelson and Kyle stand up to their principal for the right to form a gay-straight alliance at their school, and Nelson has unprotected sex with a stranger he meets online. The relationship between Kyle and closeted jock Jason also develops realistically, and the awkward triangle among the three males builds subtly and convincingly. Readers will learn and understand both boys' perspectives, from Jason's fear that he will be found out to Kyle's growing agitation at his mixed messages. Some of the writing is stilted ("You would've thought the prodigal son had come home," Sanchez writes when Kyle finally connects with his father), and 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. Ages 12-up. (Oct).

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-Nelson, "out" to the world, is secretly in love with his best friend Kyle. Kyle doesn't look gay or advertise it, but since he hangs out with Nelson, he's subject to the same harassment at school. Kyle is secretly in love with Jason, a popular jock who has a popular girlfriend but who can't stop dreaming of sex with boys. When Jason, trying to sort out his confusion, shows up at a Rainbow Youth meeting, he is greeted by both "Nelly" and Kyle, who are as shocked to see him as he is to be seen. This uncomfortable confrontation starts the ball rolling down a path of deception, denial, revelation, and acceptance not only for the three young men, but also for their friends, family, and all concerned. 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 (Turtleback, 1975) 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.

Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (May 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689857705
ISBN-13: 978-0689857706
Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,829 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
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#25 in Books > Teens > Social Issues > Homosexuality > Fiction
#49 in Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Sexuality

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First Sentence:
Jason Carrillo walked around the block a third time, working up his courage to go into the brownstone. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jack Ransom, Jason Carrillo, Coach Cameron, Gay-Straight Alliance, Rainbow Youth

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Citations (learn more)

9 books cite this book:

Invitations to the World: Teaching and Writing for the Young by Richard Peck on page 179, and Back Matter
Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World by Robyn Ochs in Back Matter
Serving Older Teens (Libraries Unlimited Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians Series) by Sheila B. Anderson on page 149
A Parent/Teacher Guide to Children\'s Books on Peace and Tolerance by Bob Blumenthal on page 240
Same sex Marriage: Putting Every Household At Risk by Mathew D. Staver in Back Matter

See all 9 books citing this book

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez

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	80% buy the item featured on this page: Rainbow Boys 4.8 out of 5 stars (83) $8.99
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	5% buy Rainbow High 3.9 out of 5 stars (29) $8.99

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Customer Reviews

83 Reviews

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4.8 out of 5 stars (83 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Love Story About Gay High School Seniors, October 26, 2001

By	Mark Ian Kendrick "-Author of 'Desert Sons', ... (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rainbow Boys (Hardcover)

This is the best book I've read all year. Mr. Sanchez is truly a gifted writer and proved it with this debut work. I immediately fell in love with all three of his characters (okay, I mostly fell in love with Jason). The drama that Sanchez so beautifully built into this story had me teary-eyed at just about every other chapter. That's the kind of story I love the most: one that can make me feel exactly what the characters are feeling. What an amazing love story he portrayed, what with Jason struggling to come out, with Kyle trying his best to get Jason to love him, and Nelson trying to get Kyle to understand that he loves him. I'm so glad everything turned out on a positive note. In addition to the storyline, I really like Sanchez's writing style: the use of concise phrases, and some very witty ones as well, to convey a lot of information was right on target. I can't wait to read something else by this author.

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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be mandatory reading for gay teens and their parents, March 18, 2005

By	T. Burger (Chicago) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

When I looked at the cover for this book, I almost wrote it off as fluff. After all, there are three "pretty boys" on the cover, and frankly, that type of cover doesn't shout: "GREAT LITERATURE!" I'm glad I looked at the back of the book because I saw that it was indeed literature to be taken seriously, as it had received some rather impressive accolades. Given that, I decided to give it a shot.

I'm glad I did.

The author achieved something in this book that's difficult for even the most seasoned writers to do: he wrote from three different points-of-view, gave each character a distinctive voice, as well as unique personalities, with different problems and obstacles to overcome.

I thought at first that Kyle and Jason would be very similar people. The back of the book identifies Jason as a "jock" and Kyle as a "swim team star". Those descriptions aren't terribly far apart. However, "jock" carries with it a different stigma than does "swim team star", and Jason and Kyle are definitely very different people.

The author made an excellent choice starting the book from Jason's perspective. Kyle and Nelson were vastly more comfortable with their sexuality, so to start the book from one of their perspectives would have been to begin the story with little to no tension. In order to hook a reader, an author needs to introduce tension immediately. Jason was the most conflicted of the three, so he was the logical and perfect choice.

The author also did a tremendous job in that first chapter introducing us to all of the main players and probably plot lines. Beginning with Jason walking around the block three times while contemplating entering the brownstone where the "gay" meeting would take place, he then stepped back briefly and showed us the thought process that brought Jason to that point. He had called a gay hotline for youths three times, and we aren't privy to those conversations, unfortunately. Personally, I would have liked to know the type of questions Jason was asking. However, we are immediately introduced to Jason's thought processes, so it's easy to surmise what he may have asked. He imagined a room of "queers", with him in it, trying to imagine himself fitting into that group. The immediate picture he had was that of Nelson, who was the so-called type of homosexual that even a blind and deaf dog would know is gay. He knew that he wasn't like Nelson, he thought about his girlfriend of two years, but couldn't understand why he had intense dreams of naked men. Finally he decides to enter the brownstone, where the meeting is being held, and finds two other boys from his high school: Nelson and Kyle. Nelson was no surprise to him, but Kyle was. Kyle was not your so-called typical "queer", easily recognizable. Kyle seemed "normal". This threw Jason for a loop. So, to cut to the chase, a few things happened, and Jason went running from the room.

Nelson and Kyle both came to life in this chapter with very strong presences. Nelson was exactly as Jason expected - a flaming queen - and Kyle demonstrated sweet, kind gentleness, and we learn immediately in the next chapter that he had been infatuated with Jason for quite some time. (That's the only slightly unbelievable part of the book - that the guy Kyle's completely bonkers for walks into the meeting, and then they...well...read the book.)

I spent a lot of time talking about that first chapter because it's probably the most important chapter in the book. Everything is laid out very neatly. We know what to expect from Jason, Nelson, and Kyle.

What transpires throughout the rest of the book is touching and extraordinary. Kyle is in love with Jason. Nelson may or may not be in love with Kyle. Jason is in love with Debra, but he can't shake his interest in men and, especially, his blossoming interest in Kyle.

As with any book that deals with gay teenage issues, there are coming out scenes. It certainly isn't necessary in the case of Nelson, as I suspect he came out to his Mom when he was born. Kyle comes out to his parents, with mixed but very believable results. His mother went through very typical responses, his father was typically distant (although sometimes it's the reverse...every situation is different). Jason's family is very dissimilar to Kyle's. He has an alcoholic father and an enabling mother, and the father reacted violently when Jason came out. That was one of my favorite scenes in the book. I won't say why, in case someone is reading this and hasn't read the book.

I don't like to go through plot descriptions in reviews, because too often, even if you're careful, you give things away that could ruin it for the reader. So I'll leave it at this: Rainbow Boys is an exceptional book with believable, unique characters, all of whom are sympathetic. It's difficult to imagine someone reading this - gay or straight (if they're straight and have an open mind) - and not enjoying this book, both for the wonderful intricate story, and the author's laudable telling of the story through three distinct voices.

And if you're a gay teenager, this book should shine bright rays of hope into your life. I certainly hope that it does, because the highest percentage of teens who commit suicide are gay teens. This is exactly the type of book that should be mandatory reading for any gay teen.

As a matter of fact, it wouldn't hurt parents of gay teens to read this book either. Frankly, as I think about it, it should be mandatory reading for them as well. This book does an excellent job of displaying different "levels" of homosexuality (yes, specifically male homosexuality, but it's easy to make the references to lesbians).

Also laudable are information and references in the back of the book for: Organizing a Peer Group; Violence and Hate Crimes against Gays and Lesbians; Human Rights Campaign; Teen Sexuality, Advocates for Youth; Gay and Lesbian Teen Suicides; Gay and Lesbian Teen Services on the Internet; Youth Advocacy; and Youth Activism.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hardships and hurdles of homosexuality, June 10, 2004

By	QUEEN_OF_EVERYTHING (Outside Philly) - See all my reviews

Sanchez's novel chronicles three gay high school boys. One is out, proud, and totally a flamer. One, his best friend, is still in the closet. Another, with a steady girlfriend, has just come to the realization and is trying his best to understand - and hide, in a way, this new discovery.

Nelson is the flamer. With a trillion earrings, crazy hair, and a love for fashion, he sees no need to keep his secret. He's been out and has many friends and people who like him despite this. And why isn't he likeable? He's a loyal friend, a wonderful listener, and can provide his best friend, Kyle, with good advice and a shoulder to cry on.

Kyle is gay but has yet to announce it to the world. Nonetheless, he's known the truth since an early age. People do expect he is a homosexual because he always hangs around with Nelson. Their friendship is incredibly strong. Kyle's parents are loving and supportive - at first only his mother seems to be, but his father does eventually come around once Kyle gives them the news. Nelson wants to be more than just friends but Kyle only has eyes for Jason.

Jason is a jock with a beautiful girlfriend named Debra. They've been going steady for two years and even have had sex. So he can't be gay, can he? Well...he tries, like some may, to deny and supress the thought, tries to dismiss it from his mind. But when he makes love to Debra, he pictures men. He dreams of naked men. He thinks of Kyle. With an alcoholic father who constantly calls him weak, home life is sometimes an obstacle. It is difficult for Jason to muster the courage to tell Debra but when he does, her reaction is normal. After all, she does love him.

Sanchez's novel is real. When the two boys finally come out of the closet, family and friend reactions are totally understandable, apt to happen in those situations. Sanchez's ability to convey character depth and meaning are incredible and make this novel what it is. You'll enjoy this book whether you happen to be straight, gay, or bisexual. And, to be frank, it really opened my eyes. Although I choose to be straight, it helped me realize that love between same sexes can be just as real, just as true. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars No Seriously Guys, This Book Sucks. Like, a Whole Lot.
Well, someone has to do it- I must confess that I am rather perplexed that this book has not received more (read: any) negative reviews. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Maurice B. Hazel

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous gay YA book
*Rainbow Boys* is such a good book and a rare one on gay themes. The book focuses on three gay teens: Kyle, Jason and Nelson. Read more

Published 8 months ago by LARRY

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic gay coming-of-age novel for all ages
"Rainbow Boys" is a novel that excels at character development, telling its story through the eyes of three gay teens--Jason, Kyle and Nelson. Read more

Published 13 months ago by William Siwicki

5.0 out of 5 stars A good read for young socially conscious teens
I bought this book for my son as a gift. He says they are well written and thinks that it's a good insight into the minds dilemmas and real life situations of queer youth. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Tweedle Dee

5.0 out of 5 stars loved it
i loved this book so much the first time that i picked it up i couldn't put it down i had to read the other 2 books

Published 16 months ago by R. Lozano

5.0 out of 5 stars No one else could have done it a better way
I have just finished Rainbow Boys and am completely shocked. I have never thought that I could feel so much better about myself after one book. Read more

Published 17 months ago by A Freshman in High School

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo
From the first to last page I was hooked on this book. It was so good that I am thrilled that the stories continue. Alex you have a new fan!

Published 23 months ago by Dance Dance Dance

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It
I probably do not fit this books demographic!

I'm a 22 year old straight female.

But I LOVED this book, and the other two that follow it. Read more

Published 23 months ago by Heidi Rebecca

5.0 out of 5 stars Rainbow Boys
I loved the book. It could really help young boys who are sturggling with their sexuality. The story line keeps you involved and the context of the story is very appropriate. Read more

Published on May 9, 2007 by T. Prine

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
This realistic contemporary literature novel covers many social and emotional issues faced by high school students. The problems and solutions were realistic and practical. Read more

Published on May 4, 2007 by S. Feldman

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