Journeys across the Rainbow: Inspirational Stories for the Human Race
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\ KLIATTA remarkably candid collection of short personal essays covers a panoply of spiritual matters. I found myself skipping from theme to theme (love, coming out, poetry, spirituality, recovery), reading a range of talents in fiction and nonfiction voices. The emphasis is on the gay and lesbian experience. While I applaud the sentiments expressed in most of the stories (triumph over adversity, knowing oneself, overcoming familial dysfunction, looking for a better future), I could only shelve this volume alongside inspirational materials. This is not for a middle school audience, and might only be used in a creative writing class. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Rainbow Pride Press (6525 Gunpark Dr., Suite 150-117, Boulder, CO 80301), 299p. 23cm. 00-091740., $17.95. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Nancy Zachary; YA Libn., Scarsdale P.L., Scarsdale, NY , July 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 4)\ \ \ \ \ VOYAGrandpa Suzie. AIDS activism. A beautiful organ purchased for a dying lover. Suicide. Laughter and hope. All of these topics and many more are included in this collection of essays on living and being gay, lesbian, or transsexual. In a Chicken Soup format, the essays look for inspiration in every facet of living gay, including what it is like to be a mother whose gay son is closeted and how spirituality figures in the lives, loves, and families of the contributors. As with most essay collections, these stories will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers. Although the rainbow is featured prominently on the cover, any indication that these stories involve the homosexual community is absent. Those who might not be likely to read such a book might pick it up and feel the warmth and caring within the pages. This book will make readers laugh one minute and cry the next, as they take in the various journeys traveled by the eclectic collection of gays and their supporters. The power of this collection is expressed in the words of an anonymous contributor, "I hope God doesn't hate me for being this way. I pray that he doesn't. Thank you for writing this book." VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P J S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2000, Rainbow Pride Press, 299p, $17.95 Trade pb. Ages 12 to Adult. Reviewer: Lynn Evarts\ \
