Debbie Harry Sings French by Megan Brothers - NO

Brothers, Meagan Debbie Harry Sings in French, 234 p. Henry Holt, 2008. 

Language: R 

NOT RECOMMENDED

After Johnny's father died, Johnny raised himself as his mother descended into a funk. Now, a year later, Mom has snapped out of it and Johnny is ready to self-destruct on drugs and alcohol. In order to remove him from his friends, Mom sends him to live with his uncle, the brother of his deceased father. Even here, Johnny doesn't blend in very well, and when he becomes interested in a pretty girl, her jealous ex-boyfriend wants to make Johnny's life miserable. On top of everything, the world seems unsure about Johnny's sexual preference, while Johnny is surprised how good it feels to dress up like his idol Debbie Harry and sing in a drag show. 

Don't get bent out of shape about a boy realizing that he is a transvestite - that part of the book is very well done. In fact, on the whole I liked the book and think it fills a niche that has very few entries. Unfortunately, I also have to tell you about the 15 "f's", the 50-ish other swear words, the drugs, drinking and tastefully done sex scene. It's those things, rather than the theme of the book, that makes this inappropriate for schools. 

Cindy
Brothers, Meagan Debbie Harry Sings in French, 234 p. Henry Holt, 2008. After Johnny's father died, Johnny raised himself as his mother descended into a funk. Now, a year later, Mom has snapped out of it and Johnny is ready to self-destruct on drugs and alcohol. In order to remove him from his friends, Mom sends him to live with his uncle, the brother of his deceased father. Even here, Johnny doesn't blend in very well, and when he becomes interested in a pretty girl, her jealous ex-boyfriend wants to make Johnny's life miserable. On top of everything, the world seems unsure about Johnny's sexual preference, while Johnny is surprised how good it feels to dress up like his idol Debbie Harry and sing in a drag show. Don't get bent out of shape about a boy realizing that he is a transvestite - that part of the book is very well done. In fact, on the whole I liked the book and think it fills a niche that has very few entries. Unfortunately, I also have to tell you about the 15 "f's", the 50-ish other swear words, the drugs, drinking and tastefully done sex scene. It's those things, rather than the theme of the book, that makes this inappropriate for schools. NO