Tools of Ignorance: Lisa's Story

Clarksonville #2

by Barbara L. Clanton

Lisa Brown is the starting catcher for the Clarksonville Cougars High School softball team, and she has a major crush on her pitcher Marlee. Lisa continues to carry her torch for Marlee, even when Sam, a rival softball player, flirts sweetly. Lisa becomes more confused than ever when Tara, the first girl she ever kissed and the first girl who ever broke her heart, resurfaces. Since Marlee doesn't know Lisa's alive, should Lisa give up on her once and for all? Sam seems to have secrets of her own, but Lisa wonders if she should over look them and allow her fledging attraction grow for the pretty blonde or should she fan the tiny flame still burning in her heart for Tara? Lisa faces these problems and deals with society's tools of ignorance in her quest for love and acceptance.

Genres: Young Adult, Lesbian, Sports, Queer

196 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2010

About the author

Barbara L. Clanton writes young adult lesbian fiction because she wants girls and young women to experience positive lesbian coming out stories. Clanton hopes her books will be safe harbors for young people coming out to themselves, their friends, family, and society.

From the author's website: Barbara L. Clanton is
- a writer of Young Adult Fiction
- a writer of Children's Fiction
- a New York Mets fan
- a New York Jets fan
- a Florida resident
- a native-born New Yawker
- a softball pitcher
- ASANA Hall of Fame inductee
- a bass player in her band
- the proud "mama" to several cats
- proudly in a long-term relationship
- a Buffy fan
- a Xena & Gabrielle fan
- a mathematics teacher
- wishing she were a snow-bird
- wishing she were at a Mets game
- happy that you read her bio! ;)

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story! Barabara L. Clanton continues the Clarksonville Series focusing on Lisa, Marlee's catcher and the challenges of first crushes, first kisses, and first love. I was quickly caught up in the story of Lisa's life- playing softball, taking care of her siblings, and accepting who she is and who she is possibly attracted to as she navigates the Spring of her sophomore year. Clanton puts the reader right into the action of a high school softball player heading to the state championship while navigating the ups and downs of first love. The romance was sweet and perfectly orchestrated to allow the reader to bond with the Lisa. It was a great read and I am very much looking forward to the next in the series!

[Alena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Combined review for Tools of Ignorance, Out of Left Field and Going, Going, Gone.

All these books take place in a group of friends/softball rivals. YA romances dealing with first love, coming out, etc.

The blurbs suggest way more drama/conflict than actually takes place, which isn't a bad thing, just that blurb and content don't match.

Nice, mindless reads (I read them all back to back and have to admit they all blurr in my mind). Strong, queer, characters with different sets of problems so that the whole gamut is covered. Unfortunately it reads and feels like the characters never left the drawing board stage and don't really come to life. The writing isn't very good, this may also be a reason that characters don't feel more real. They have clear roles and purposes to fulfill. I realize I'm not the target audience, but I think teenagers as well would appreciate better writing.

I'm repeating myself, but now that I know what YA writing can be like (Malinda Lo), I can't help but compare things with her world, and other things keep falling short.

But I still couldn't put them down. Go figure.