South of Sunshine

Gr 9 Up—Kaycee Jean McCoy has lived her entire life in the small town of Sunshine, TN. She's aware of the dangers of revealing her lesbian identity, the secret she's worked hard to keep even from herself. From her mother's store to church on Sunday, Kaycee goes to great lengths to fit in, even seeking boyfriends to support her disguise. But when athletic, worldly Bren transfers to their school, Kaycee finds it hard to stay away, even when it puts her new girlfriend and closest friends in danger. Kaycee's coming-out story presents a dark side of contemporary small-town life. The members of Kaycee's community regularly use racial and antigay slurs, and she faces an immediate threat of antigay violence. The tumultuous coming out and secret romance with Bren will resonate with readers, as will the effects on the teen's friendships. The setting is fully realized, establishing a familiar backdrop for the realistic and unsettling bigotry of the town. Readers seeking lesbian coming-out tales might also enjoy Emily M. Danforth's The Miseducation of Cameron Post for its more authentic exploration of coming to terms with a lesbian identity.