Title Baby Be-Bop
Author Francesca Lia Block
Block was born to a painter and a poet in Los Angeles where she still currently lives. She is the author of many books and is best know for the Weetzie Bat series. She has received many awards including the Margaret A. Edwards lifetime achievement award.
ISBN 0060248793
Publisher Harper Collins
Copyright Date 1995
Reading Level/Interest Age 12+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
Baby Be-Bop is the fifth of the Weetzie Bat series by Block and is actually a prequel to the first book, Weetzie Bat. This is the story of Weetzie’s best friend, Dirk MacDonald, before they meet. Dirk is 16 years old and trying to squelch the fact that he is gay, hiding it from his friends and Grandma Fifi, with whom he lives. But after he meets Pup Lambert, it becomes harder to pretend. Through the help of the magic that is Grandma Fifi, Dirk learns to overcome his fear and embrace his sexuality.
Critical Evaluation
The Weetzie Bat books are truly some of my favorite YA tales. I remember when my mom brought the first book home for me and said that she had been hearing a lot about it from her colleagues (she works in UCLA’s LIS program). Little did she or I know that within its covers I would learn about teen sex, homosexuality and AIDS for the first time. (I was a precocious reader, but sheltered and a bit young for the book!) Though I liked the book at the time, mostly because it felt scandalous to me, the true magic of Block’s language and the sensual descriptions that fill her books did not dawn on me until I was much older. This makes me wonder if this is one of those YA books that is critically acclaimed because adult readers enjoy it so much. Some of Block’s language is as out there for today’s readers as it was for me ten years ago, drawing on lyricism and beat-era rhythms that might not resonate with teenagers. Additionally, the foray into a ghost story in Part II might put some teen reader’s off. Still, the issues discussed in Baby Be-Bop are significant and her descriptions of what it feels like to love, to lose and to form your own sexual identity are captivating. The character of Dirk is particularly compelling as he is portrayed as hip, strong and handsome and yet still able to be sensitive and caring.
Reader’s Annotation
“Dirk had known it since before he could remember.” He hopes liking boys is just a phase like Grandma Fifi says, but is it?
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do a first person booktalk from Dirk’s perspective, focusing on his concerns about masculinity and being strong/having no fear. Encourage the class to think about the connections between perceived strength and heterosexuality, and to read about Dirk, who defies all expectations.
2. Do a plot summary of the book, highlighting the magical nature of Grandma Fifi’s house. Encourage the audience to read more.
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
ALA Stonewall Book Award Nominee (1996); Lambda Literary Award Nominee (1995); ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1996); personal favorite.
Author Francesca Lia Block
Block was born to a painter and a poet in Los Angeles where she still currently lives. She is the author of many books and is best know for the Weetzie Bat series. She has received many awards including the Margaret A. Edwards lifetime achievement award.
ISBN 0060248793
Publisher Harper Collins
Copyright Date 1995
Reading Level/Interest Age 12+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
Baby Be-Bop is the fifth of the Weetzie Bat series by Block and is actually a prequel to the first book, Weetzie Bat. This is the story of Weetzie’s best friend, Dirk MacDonald, before they meet. Dirk is 16 years old and trying to squelch the fact that he is gay, hiding it from his friends and Grandma Fifi, with whom he lives. But after he meets Pup Lambert, it becomes harder to pretend. Through the help of the magic that is Grandma Fifi, Dirk learns to overcome his fear and embrace his sexuality.
Critical Evaluation
The Weetzie Bat books are truly some of my favorite YA tales. I remember when my mom brought the first book home for me and said that she had been hearing a lot about it from her colleagues (she works in UCLA’s LIS program). Little did she or I know that within its covers I would learn about teen sex, homosexuality and AIDS for the first time. (I was a precocious reader, but sheltered and a bit young for the book!) Though I liked the book at the time, mostly because it felt scandalous to me, the true magic of Block’s language and the sensual descriptions that fill her books did not dawn on me until I was much older. This makes me wonder if this is one of those YA books that is critically acclaimed because adult readers enjoy it so much. Some of Block’s language is as out there for today’s readers as it was for me ten years ago, drawing on lyricism and beat-era rhythms that might not resonate with teenagers. Additionally, the foray into a ghost story in Part II might put some teen reader’s off. Still, the issues discussed in Baby Be-Bop are significant and her descriptions of what it feels like to love, to lose and to form your own sexual identity are captivating. The character of Dirk is particularly compelling as he is portrayed as hip, strong and handsome and yet still able to be sensitive and caring.
Reader’s Annotation
“Dirk had known it since before he could remember.” He hopes liking boys is just a phase like Grandma Fifi says, but is it?
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do a first person booktalk from Dirk’s perspective, focusing on his concerns about masculinity and being strong/having no fear. Encourage the class to think about the connections between perceived strength and heterosexuality, and to read about Dirk, who defies all expectations.
2. Do a plot summary of the book, highlighting the magical nature of Grandma Fifi’s house. Encourage the audience to read more.
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
ALA Stonewall Book Award Nominee (1996); Lambda Literary Award Nominee (1995); ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1996); personal favorite.
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