Forgive Me If I've Told You This Before

Gr 10 Up—It's 1989, and the state of Oregon is attempting to pass legislation against gays, and Triinu Hoffman's high school principal makes no secret about how he feels on the issue. The teen knows she is a lesbian, understands that she might be up for a challenge. Classmate Pip Weston has bullied her for years, but she doesn't let that stop her from continuing to discover who she is. The principal does not make it easy for Triinu and neither do the girls she encounters in her quest for companionship. This is a true coming-of-age novel that is open and honest as relationships develop between Triinu and several love interests. High schools will not be able to keep this book on the shelves as it intertwines a variety of issues and challenges that teens endure. There are some sex scenes as the protagonist develops relationships with different young women and strong language that is organic to the situations in which they occur. Adult characters are real with strong opinions for and against the gay population; Triinu's parents are presented as a major part of her support system. A good discussion starter for mature teens.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI