The latest in the True-to-Life series from Hamilton High focuses on a young lesbian's decision to come out to her family and friends. Reynolds' realistic dialogue and respectful portrayal of young people work well in this story, told by high-school senior Lynn, best friend and spirit sister of Kit. Though Lynn feels awkward at first with Kit's revelation, she quickly rallies to support her friend, attending GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) meetings at school. Lynn, who is Caucasian, is herself encountering prejudice from others because of her blossoming romance with an African American football star. There's a lot of strong language here, mostly describing the verbal and physical harassment Kit experiences, but none of it is gratuitous. As always, Reynolds breathes life into important social issues with likable, believable characters who elevate this beyond a problem novel.

After Lynn's "spirit sister" Kit comes out as a lesbian, Lynn deals with her own homophobia, then joins Kit's Gay/Straight Alliance club at school. Although the story line plods along prosaically and the themes are textbook neat, the issue of violence against gay and lesbian youth is clearly and sympathetically laid out, as is the side issue of Lynn's interracial romance.

Gr 8 Up-When her best friend returns to Hamilton High after a summer in San Francisco, Lynn can't wait to catch up on all the news. When Kit reveals that she is coming out as a lesbian, Lynn struggles to be supportive, despite her surprise. Kit's desire to be honest with herself and her friends while also finding a new community leads her to explore a local school's Gay-Straight Alliance and motivates her to start a similar group at Hamilton High where jocks rule and anti-gay sentiment is apparent. Kit announces her sexual identity through shaving her head, piercing her ears multiple times, wearing multiple rainbow accessories, and getting her first girlfriend. At the same time, Lynn is experiencing her first intense romantic relationship; she is dating an African-American star football player who is struggling between doing the right thing and not making waves with his teammates. Harassment of gay students escalates from small pranks, which are virtually ignored by the administration, to a vicious assault in which Kit and another student are attacked, forcing the school to take action on threat of a lawsuit. Reynolds has created a sensitive exploration of these teens' sexual identity and their desire to find a place in the world. Her story of friendship and romance is realistic, tender, and engrossing. Some popular-culture references will date this book and the bullies' characters are not fully developed, but, for the most part, this is a worthy addition to YA literature in which straight, gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals are represented.-Katie O'Dell, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.