Grl2Grl

Title Grl2Grl
Author Julie Anne Peters
Julie Anne Peters was born in New York in 1952 and moved when she was five to Colorado. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Computer and Management Science. She is the author of many books for young people including Luna, also reviewed here.
ISBN 9780316013437
Publisher Little, Brown and Company
Copyright Date 2007
Reading Level/Interest Age 15+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
Grl2Grl is a collection of ten short stories by Julie Anne Peters that feature mostly teenage lesbian characters. “Passengers” is the story of Tam who finally approaches the girl that she’s seen on the train to school every day for years. In “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” sophomore Mariah struggles over whether or not to attend a GSA meeting, fearing what it will do to her reputation. Rachael tries to decide what to do when her cheating ex asks for forgiveness in “After Alex” and in “Outside/Inside,” the narrator tries to choose a card to tell her secret crush about her feelings – but the object of her affection is not who you might think. Basketball serves as a metaphor for physical attraction in “On the Floor,” while “Stone Cold Butch” tells the tale of Cami’s attempt to close herself off to the possibility of physical attraction. Old friendships are rekindled over a discussion about abstinence in “Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” and “Boi” explores the pain of being transgender and the joy of feeling right in your own skin. Peters ends her collection with “TIAD” (Tomorrow Is Another Day), a story about using the internet to get over your first love and “Two-Part Intervention” about the possibility of love at a music summer camp.
Critical Evaluation
Peters’ first person narration is achingly honest and raw, dealing with issues that are heavy and real. Her ability to draw you in and make you connect with the characters is truly astounding given the length of her stories. These are snippets out of any queer girl’s life, glimpses into the confusion, the fear and the anxiety of growing up gay. From coming out, to dealing with first loves and first heartbreaks, Peters nails the lingo and the tone of this important part of growing up. Many of these stories would be particularly helpful for teachers wanting to ease their students into LGBT issues as many are written specifically to tug at one’s heartstrings, without being too graphic or sappy. A fantastic read for queer or questioning youth or anyone who is trying to understand a young, queer person in their own life.
Reader’s Annotation
From first loves to first heartbreaks, these stories tell it like it is, grl2grl
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Read any of the stories, particularly Can’t Stop the Feeling or Outside/Inside, encouraging the audience to pick up the book to read more stories like it.
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
Rainbow List Starred Pick (2008, ALA); I wanted to include books of short stories and Peters is considered an important author in this genre.