Carlee Hallman (Children's Literature)
This novel about the anguish of a gay high school senior from a conservative Christian background is carefully plotted to cover related Biblical interpretations, high school bigotry, and self discovery in a realistic way. Paul has a girlfriend he has been friends with since grade school. But when a new student, Manuel, admits that he is gay and tries to be Paul’s friend, Paul feels threatened. Since adolescence Paul has felt “different” but does not want to admit it to himself. Especially since his faith condemns homosexuality. As Paul presents the Biblical arguments against homosexuality, Manuel counters with broader interpretations of the same passages. As Paul begins to admit the truth to himself and wants to share that truth, there is still the threat of exclusion by his peer group, his girlfriend, and his father, plus real physical threats from some high school students. Paul’s grandmother who visits from Mexico on important holidays, is a source of strength. This book will be of great help to those from a conservative religious background who grapple with being gay. The story is exciting and right on target. 2007, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, $16.99. Ages 12 up.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 17))
Hispanic high-school senior Paul has struggled to overcome his attraction to boys, placing his prayers on slips of paper in an ornately carved "God box" in hopes the feelings will be taken away. He also dates best friend Angie and prays he will soon be sexually attracted to her. A new student arrives at their small-town Texas school, and Manuel comes out on his first day. He shocks the Bible Club by not only professing to be Christian but in more than holding his own in scripture-heavy debates. Manuel and Paul's friends start a GSA and deal with homophobia. After a six-month struggle and a tragedy, Paul realizes he can't love God or anyone if he doesn't love himself. Sanchez takes on the myth that homosexuals are ungodly in this sometimes melodramatic tale. Occasionally reading more like a manual on dispelling homophobic misinterpretations of Bible verse than a novel, this is still an important work about self-acceptance and the meaning of God's love. 2007, Simon & Schuster, 224p, $16.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 13 up. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Christine Gingrich (Kutztown Book Review, Spring 2008)
This is a challenging, thought-provoking book about Paul, a religious high school student, who is trying to cope with his homosexual feelings. All his life he has been told that being homosexual is wrong, and every day he prays that these feelings will go away. When an openly gay Christian student moves to town, Paul is forced to deal with his faith and his feelings, ultimately having to take a stand. This book was engaging and easy to read. It realistically follows the inner conflicts of a young man dealing with his spirituality and sexuality. Using quotes from the Bible, thoughts on homosexuality are debated and pored over. This is a great read for someone who is struggling with what they believe and what they feel, or anyone who wants to understand oneself. Category: Coming of Age. 2007, Simon and Schuster, $16.99. Ages 15 to 18.

April Spisak (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, January 2008 (Vol. 61, No. 5).)
Paul hoped that his senior year would be calm, successful, and full of God and friends. Instead, things are almost immediately thrown off track with the arrival of Manuel, a gay Christian whom Paul finds both irresistible and abhorrent. All of Paul’s hidden sexual feelings about boys come unbidden to the surface, sending him down a path to self-discovery that includes a meeting with an ex-gay organization, a painful breakup with his best friend and girlfriend (who suspected this for years), and, ultimately, a first stab at true love with a boy who makes him feel alive and, surprisingly, closer to God than ever. Paul’s torturous journey evokes strong sympathy: he is clearly a young man whose fear of disappointing others and losing his faith have driven him away from his own heart for years. Unfortunately, Manuel is little more than an idealized martyr, available to quote the perfect scriptures, endlessly patient in his gentle pursuit of Paul, and even brave and forgiving in the face of a cruel and life-threatening beating. In addition, the strong focus on religious exploration and discussion overshadows all, resulting in a powerful message book that will likely comfort gay teens struggling with religion but may disappoint readers who are simply seeking a love story. However, Sanchez fans may still see enough of his humor and warmth to balance out the goal-oriented writing Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2007, Simon, 248p., $16.99. Grades 8-10.

Francisca Goldsmith (VOYA, October 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 4))
Gay-positive Sanchez, author of Rainbow High (Simon & Schuster, 2004/VOYA December 2003), offers a story here that will resonate with Christian youth who are aware of their own or a close friend's gay orientation. Paul (nT Pablo), a senior at a small-town, Texas high school, has been dating his best friend, Angie, for years. When a new-and openly gay-student appears on the scene, Paul struggles with his attraction to Manuel, his inability to feel the same sort of attraction for Angie, and above all, the fundamentalist Christian equation of homosexuality with evil that he has internalized. Sanchez addresses theological interpretations head on but through credible use of teen dialogue and ponderings. Manuel is no less Christian in his convictions than is Paul and encourages his new friend to think beyond the anti-gay Biblical interpretation that Paul's pastor preaches. Angie is as saintly as her name suggests, but there are bullies in the story as well. Manuel's beating at the hands of some football players is stereotypical only because such scenes have been staple in so many young adult novels, but it rings true in terms of the context of this particular story and its setting. In the end, the protagonist not only owns his sexual orientation but can admit to his Mexican heritage and given name, Pablo, as well. Identity-sexual, ethnic, and religious-are each compelling to teens, and this novel treats all three openly and honestly. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2007, Simon & Schuster, 272p., $16.99. Ages 15 to 18.