It Gets Better...

It's hard to listen to the news the last few months and not come across a story about a teenager who, after facing horrific bullying, has taken his own life. Many of the teenagers in these stories were gay or thought to be gay by classmates. No one should ever have to feel this way or think that the only option is suicide. Sometimes we all feel we have to face a problem alone, but the truth is that there is always someone that can help. Try a family member, trusted teacher or good friend. If you can't, try The Trevor Project or the It Gets Better Project.

I'm a librarian, so I'm sure you can guess what's coming next:
Here two new books with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered) characters. They're also two of my favorites so far this year. Each character faces different problems, successes, failures and triumphs but no matter the ending of the story it can certainly be said that IT GETS BETTER!

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green
Will Grayson #1 doesn't know quite what to do with his best friend Tiny. Tiny is huge, plays football, can't seem to keep a boyfriend for more than a few days and wants, desperately, to stage his musical creation "Tiny Dancer" at school. Will is, frankly, horrified that he's a main character in the play. Also, he is totally, positively sure that he doesn't like a girl who's friends with Tiny. Well, maybe he likes her just a little. Will Grayson #2 thinks he has finally found true love, but it's a secret. What he doesn't know is that he's not the only one with a secret. His sort-of best friend has been keeping one two...and it's about to blow up in his face. Then, on a strange night in the streets of Chicago Will Grayson meets Will Grayson and their lives will never be the same. This is a hilarious book and I just fell in love with the characters. I would recommend this book for older teens because there is a significant amount of "strong" language.

A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
Cassie's best friend Julie was killed in a car accident at the end of the school year. Julie, a total dramatic genius, wrote her own musical in the months leading up to her death. It's called "Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad." Julie's drama friends are determined to stage it and spend the summer and fall casting, creating sets and getting ready for opening night. Unfortunately, Cassie feels left out. She's not one of the drama kids and no one seems to really understand how much she misses Julie. Then, two events turn everything upside down. First, Cassie tries to fulfill her promise to Julie and bike all the way across the United States to spread Julies ashes in the ocean. Things don't go as planned. Then, her arch nemesis from middle school, the person who made Cassie's life miserable, returns to her high school AND gets the lead role in Julie's play. Is this the worst thing ever, or the start of something amazing? I totally loved this book and I couldn't put it down. It's recommended for grades eight and above.

For a list of books with other LGBT Characters try this list from Alex Sanchez. He's one of my favorite authors and I've even met him!