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Twelve-year-old William Heden is at the center of Patricia Nell Warren's latest novel about the struggles facing homosexuals in homophobic America. A sequel to the great gay classic, ''The Front Runner'' (now sadly out of print) and ''Harlan's Race'', the book stands alone and can be read without knowledge of Warren's previous stories. Billy's Boy follows adolescent William as he explores his family history and delves into the role anti-gay attitudes have played on the people he lives with, in particular the role of the Christian right-wing in forming homophobic attitudes. With issues like coming out to friends and family; the role of educational institutions in fostering tolerance for different types of students; and the necessity of creating alternative families for those whose biological kin have rejected them, Warren creates tremendous empathy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth. William's struggle to understand his own sexual desire as he comes of age will intrigue adolescents as well as adults, and should be read by anyone concerned about the pressures facing queer kids as they navigate life.
Paperback, 339 Pages, Published 1998
Author: Patrica Nell Warren