So Hard to Say by Alex Sanchez

Summary:

Frederick is the shy new boy and Xio is the bubbly chica who lends him a pen on the first day of class.

They become fast friends-but when Xio decides she wants to be more than friends, Frederick isn't so sure. He loves hanging out with Xio and her crew, but he doesn't like her that way.

Instead, he finds himself thinking more and more about Victor, the captain of the soccer team. Does that mean Frederick's gay? He can't be-he sees how everyone makes fun of Iggy, a boy all the other kids think is gay. Frederick has to deal with some tough choices: Even though he is curious about Iggy, he's just started fitting in at his new school, and he doesn't want to lose Xio, his best friend.

In So Hard to Say, Alex Sanchez, acclaimed author of the groundbreaking novels Rainbow High and Rainbow Boys, of which School Library Journal said, "It can open eyes and change lives," helps younger readers look at self-discovery, coming to terms with being gay, and acceptance of people who are different from us. He says, "The book comes in response to so many teachers, librarians, and students asking for a story like this."

I was a big fan of Sanchez's YA novels Rainbow High and Rainbow Boys so I chose So Hard to Say because I was curious to see how he wrote about gays issues from a tweens point of view. A tweens struggle with coming out of the closet can be one of the most difficult events in his or her life because its usually a time when hormones are racing, voices are changing, and wanting to be accepted among your peers is top priority. Not only is it a struggle for the gay tween, but the other tweens who must learn to form opinions and views about homosexuality. Is it right or is it wrong? Is it more important to fit in with the popular vote and continue to use terms like "that's gay" or "faggot" or is it more important to stand up to homophobia at the risk of being shunned? So Hard to Say tackles these issues through the voices of Frederick, the shy new boy at school and Xio, the sassy popular girl in love with him. It's a simple story with each chapter alternating from Frederick's voice to Xio's. Frederick tries to figure out why he doesn't feel the same way about Xio as she does for him. He feels those ways about Victor, the captain of the soccer team. Frederick finally begins to come to terms with being gay via the picked-on gay kid at school, Victor. The revelation forces everyone involved to deal with what it means to be gay and to have friends who are guy. In the end some of the kids make the right decision yet some choose to follow the crowd.

I love a well-written book that is a positive resource for kids struggling with sexuality and this book is definitely one of them. Another great one from Mr. Sanchez! I wish I had authors like this around when I was growing up!

About the author:

http://www.alexsanchez.com/Teen%20Reads.asp.html

More on the book:

http://www.alexsanchez.com/So_Hard_To_Say/So_Hard_To_Say_Excerpt.htm

http://books.simonandschuster.com/So-Hard-To-Say/Alex-Sanchez/9780689865640