Forgive Me If I've Told You This Before

I absolutely loved this book. I cried my eyes out, so touched and amazed to read something that so closely echoed my own adolescence... The injustice and fear that homophobia unleashes on society's young people has twisted so many coming-out stories into ones of tragedy. I will cherish Forgive Me and its message of kindness and hope while cheering the trailblazers who came before me; in their simple acts of defiance and love, they have changed the world. - Sara Quin, of Tegan and Sara

Smartly set in a dangerous time, when the politicizing and normalizing of a virulent homophobia was gripping Oregon, a teen must find the audacity to simply be who she is. Stetz-Waters has drawn a genuine young heroine who reminds us, not without humor, that small acts of courage move the world forward. -Heather Lyn McDonald, director of the documentary film Ballot Measure 9

Take a deep breath. Step back twenty years to a virulent antigay political campaign, when being queer meant being branded a pariah and an abomination. Walk with Triinu, a shy and achingly honest girl who tries to navigate love and friendship, hold to her faith, and accept her draw to other young women. At the end of the road, you'll thank author Karelia Stetz-Waters for this bold and lucid story that is compelling, compassionate, and leavened with humor. Stetz-Waters dedicates her book to "queer kids everywhere," but you needn't be queer or a kid to appreciate Forgive Me If I've Told You This Before. - Ruth Tenzer Feldman, Oregon Book Award-winning author

Gr 10 Up--It's 1989, and the state of Oregon is attempting to pass legislation against gays, and Triinu Hoffman's high school principal makes no secret about how he feels on the issue. The teen knows she is a lesbian, understands that she might be up for a challenge. Classmate Pip Weston has bullied her for years, but she doesn't let that stop her from continuing to discover who she is. The principal does not make it easy for Triinu and neither do the girls she encounters in her quest for companionship. This is a true coming-of-age novel that is open and honest as relationships develop between Triinu and several love interests. High schools will not be able to keep this book on the shelves as it intertwines a variety of issues and challenges that teens endure. There are some sex scenes as the protagonist develops relationships with different young women and strong language that is organic to the situations in which they occur. Adult characters are real with strong opinions for and against the gay population; Triinu's parents are presented as a major part of her support system. A good discussion starter for mature teens.--Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Queer Books Across America: Incredible Lesbian and Bisexual Novels and Memoirs Set in Every State

Sara Quin's front-page endorsement of this novel -- she cried her eyes out, and was "so touched and amazed to read something that so closely echoed my own adolescence" -- is likely all you need to fall for the story of shy, nerdy Triinu Hoffman of rural Oregon, who in 1989 is finding herself (and her love for girls) while her town takes sides over equal rights.

--Auto Straddle