I realise that I am posting more book reviews this week than I’ve posted all year, but that has something to do with it being summer. 🙂 I can get through two books a day during the summer time (or a read of someone else, and some work on my own writing projects). Here’s a great one for you!
Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher
ISBN 978-0-385-73665-7
New York: Delacorte Press, 2009. 361 p.
This is a brilliant book. Katcher created fully drawn, believable characters dealing in confusion and sincerity with complex issues. Logan, a kid in a red necked town in Missouri falls for the new cute girl at his school. Much to his shock, she turns out to be transgendered. Issues are explored. Love. Sexuality. Violence. Acceptance. Families. Friendship. Katcher has it all, and it is absolutely wonderful.
A great read for anyone willing to walk a mile in other shoes, straight, or LBGTQ. The courage it takes for Sage to be who she is, makes a profound statement about what a hero is.
Cheers to Brian Katcher. I couldn’t put this book down. Great read.
All 5 stars.
Shawn L. Bird 
this letter is purple September 14, 2011
Tags: acceptance, BC, education, gender, homosexuality, identity, inclusion, postaday2011, purple letter campaign, Ryan Clayton, schools, trans-gender
Every one of my students is special and unique.
I don’t care if they’re white, black, green or purple.
I don’t care if they are drama kids, jocks, or computer nerds.
I don’t care if they are tattoed, pierced, or sport virgin skin.
I don’t care if they are rich or poor.
I don’t care who they want to have sex with.
I don’t want any of my students to feel hopeless and alone because of gender identity or sexual orientation .
I care that my students feel valued and safe.
I care that they can get information they need to live healthy and happy lives.
I care that they have role models who can show them how to behave respectfully, amid individual differences.
I care that they know their biology is not a crime or a sin.
I care that they know that they are worthy of acceptance and respect.
I care that they leave school and lead productive lives full of love and friendship.
I want each of them to choose life.
I support the purple letter campaign to adopt a provincial policy of inclusion and acceptance in our schools.
Our kids are worth it.
All of them.
.
PS. I’m proud of my former student, Ryan Clayton. He does amazing work to raise issues of sexuality in our province. He makes a difference for students who need the message of acceptance that he brings to them. For some, it is a matter of life and death. Thanks, Ryan!
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