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Debbie Harry Sings in French
Johnny’s had kind of a tough life so far, and he’s always been a bit of a freak. His goth look usually includes black nail polish and a little mascara.When he discovers Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie, he not only likes her music but realizes that he kind of, sort of, wants to BE her. He’d like to be cool and tough and beautiful like her. He’d like to dress like her. He’s not gay, at least he doesn’t think so. So what does it mean? And what should he tell his amazing new girlfriend?
This wise, hip novel introduces shades of gray into the black-and-white ideas of sexuality and gender. Anyone who has ever wished they could be a little bit tough and a little bit glamorous will recognize themselves in Johnny.
This wise, hip novel introduces shades of gray into the black-and-white ideas of sexuality and gender. Anyone who has ever wished they could be a little bit tough and a little bit glamorous will recognize themselves in Johnny.
234 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2008
8 people are currently reading
1655 people want to read
About the author
Meagan Brothers
5 books93 followersMeagan Brothers is the author of three novels for young adults, Debbie Harry Sings in French, Supergirl Mixtapes, and Weird Girl and What's His Name. She has also been, variously, a musician, a performing poet, a record store clerk, and an adjunct professor of creative writing at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. A native Carolinian, she currently lives and works in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
March 2, 2009
Meagan Brothers' Debbie Harry Sings In French very much a young adult novel. By that I mean every little thing that happens is extra dramatic. Death, mental breakdowns, addiction and recovery, fickle friends, cliques. Amazingly the author isn't trying to sensationalize all those things to make them seem dramatic. She's just honest about what it's like to be a kid.
Johnny has a fucked up life. His dad has died. His mom has shut down completely. Johnny has to take over taking care of himself, running the house, making sure the bills are paid. Drinking makes it easier. The soundtrack to this fucked up life is filled with bands his babysitter had introduced him to: the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus. Then Johnny discovers Blondie:
Ultimately Johnny's left wondering if he wants Debbie Harry, or wants to be Debbie Harry. She's "tough but beautiful" and that's what he wants for himself. Johnny's girlfriend, Maria, buys him a dress that looks like one of Debbie's and encourages him to enter a drag show. Somewhere in there Johnny finds his sense of self.
What I love about this story is that it's not a novel built around a lesson about gender and gender variance. It's a story about a kid looking for something that makes sense, and finding it in something that doesn't make sense to most other folks. The way Johnny interacts with gender is central to the story and to the character, but it's just a part of who he is. It's that honesty I talked about above.
You oughta read this book.
Johnny has a fucked up life. His dad has died. His mom has shut down completely. Johnny has to take over taking care of himself, running the house, making sure the bills are paid. Drinking makes it easier. The soundtrack to this fucked up life is filled with bands his babysitter had introduced him to: the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus. Then Johnny discovers Blondie:
"I thought it was bogus, at first, but there I was. Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky all of a sudden. I realized I didn't want to sit around in a dark room, in love with being in the dark. I wanted some new kind of energy. I wanted something good to happen for a change. Maybe that made me sound like a crystal-toting hippie, but so what? Drugs didn't make me happy. Drinking didn't make me happy. Dancing to Blondie, on the other hand, made me feel all right"
Ultimately Johnny's left wondering if he wants Debbie Harry, or wants to be Debbie Harry. She's "tough but beautiful" and that's what he wants for himself. Johnny's girlfriend, Maria, buys him a dress that looks like one of Debbie's and encourages him to enter a drag show. Somewhere in there Johnny finds his sense of self.
What I love about this story is that it's not a novel built around a lesson about gender and gender variance. It's a story about a kid looking for something that makes sense, and finding it in something that doesn't make sense to most other folks. The way Johnny interacts with gender is central to the story and to the character, but it's just a part of who he is. It's that honesty I talked about above.
You oughta read this book.
August 16, 2019
Debbie Harry Sings in French is a really awesome little coming of age story about a boy who likes to dress like a girl, in particular Debbie Harry of Blondie. I think what is so cool about this story is that it isn't such an obvious identity crisis that the main character faces. I think being a teen boy who's straight but likes to dress like a girl would be more confusing than being your average Gay Boy™. (But then, I'm a straight cis girl, so what do I know?)
I liked the pacing of this a lot because things weren't horribly drawn out, but also weren't skipped over.
Similar to Luna by Julie Anne Peters, this is an important and uplifting story that also manages to be fun and light and relatable. I'm glad I finally read this one!
I liked the pacing of this a lot because things weren't horribly drawn out, but also weren't skipped over.
Similar to Luna by Julie Anne Peters, this is an important and uplifting story that also manages to be fun and light and relatable. I'm glad I finally read this one!
July 18, 2008
Being a music lover, I was intrigued by this book when a friend of mine read it during a reading challenge. So, after tracking it down from the Monroe County Library system (thank goodness for MELCAT!), I picked it up and read it in a matter of hours.
Johnny is a very sweet character who had some hard emotional times. This book chronicles his journey of finding himself, while making new connections in his life. In some ways, it's a love story, but I found it to be more about Johnny finding himself, with the help of others.
Johnny is a very sweet character who had some hard emotional times. This book chronicles his journey of finding himself, while making new connections in his life. In some ways, it's a love story, but I found it to be more about Johnny finding himself, with the help of others.
February 29, 2008
Johnny lives an edgy life filled with Goth outfits, lots of drinking, and plenty of music. When he discovers Debbie Harry, he finds someone who inspires him with her toughness and beauty. Someone he would love to be like. Johnny isn't gay, but he's not sure what he is exactly. As Johnny copes with other issues in his life, including an overdose, he finds himself grappling with labels, love and sobriety.
Brothers has created a book that embodies the quest of teens who are different than those around them. Johnny's search for himself is told not only in his sexuality but through his struggles with addiction and his troubles with his mother. The book has a deft coolness and an addictive readability. It will be devoured by teens who are outsiders in any way.
The characterizations are wonderfully done as well. Johnny is a believable teen grappling with many issues as is his girlfriend Maria. The adults in the story are also multidimensional and honestly portrayed. It is refreshing to find an adult character who can handle sexuality issues with such grace as Johnny's Uncle Sam.
Highly recommended for any outsider. This book takes on issues that I haven't seen handled in teen fiction before. It is groundbreaking yes, but written so naturally and easily that it doesn't read that way. Just as it should be.
Brothers has created a book that embodies the quest of teens who are different than those around them. Johnny's search for himself is told not only in his sexuality but through his struggles with addiction and his troubles with his mother. The book has a deft coolness and an addictive readability. It will be devoured by teens who are outsiders in any way.
The characterizations are wonderfully done as well. Johnny is a believable teen grappling with many issues as is his girlfriend Maria. The adults in the story are also multidimensional and honestly portrayed. It is refreshing to find an adult character who can handle sexuality issues with such grace as Johnny's Uncle Sam.
Highly recommended for any outsider. This book takes on issues that I haven't seen handled in teen fiction before. It is groundbreaking yes, but written so naturally and easily that it doesn't read that way. Just as it should be.
August 28, 2009
I have known this clever, brave, and masterful author for over fifteen years now, and it has been my pleasure to read her work all along the way. This novel is a one-stop shop of the loud and the raw, getting at that awkward time when we want paradoxically to be invisible and in-your-face. A tender, unflinching look at the experience of everyone who wasn't prom king or captain of the football team but existed in the limbo of in-between, DHSIF is honest and true.
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May 9, 2017A fun and funky teen book - Johnny moves to nowheresville North Carolina after getting out of rehab, meets a cute girl who understands him, becomes obsessed with Blondie and glam rock, all while discovering who he really is. Sound weird? It is, but it is so good! I also recommend checking out a couple Blondie CDs along with it … this book had me singing along with Blondie's classic album, Parallel Lines, for weeks afterwards!
-Lindsey D.-
-Lindsey D.-
February 17, 2012
There are a few reasons I liked this.
First: the characters. The main character and narrator in this book, Johnny, is not only realistic but complex and thoughtful. He wants to do what is right, but just got swayed by circumstance and poor decision making (on his part and the part of his mother). I also loved the character of Maria for various reasons.
Second: the plot. What happens to these characters is at all times sad, funny, and ridiculous. But I enjoyed it. Maria and Johnny make a good pair and they work together well and take what comes to them with a weird sort of grace and understanding. Especially Maria. She understands Johnny and it makes them both move through the events in the book remarkably; Johnny appreciates her understanding, and Maria appreciates his understanding and company as well.
Third: I loved how the book was musically oriented. It was about a boy being saved by music, and a girl who had the same attitude towards music. For a music lover, this book was great. I'm definitely going to be looking into some of the more obscure bands mentioned in the book.
Fourth: it surprised me. It was not at all what I expected from reading the synopsis on the jacket flap and I love books that surprise me.
First: the characters. The main character and narrator in this book, Johnny, is not only realistic but complex and thoughtful. He wants to do what is right, but just got swayed by circumstance and poor decision making (on his part and the part of his mother). I also loved the character of Maria for various reasons.
Second: the plot. What happens to these characters is at all times sad, funny, and ridiculous. But I enjoyed it. Maria and Johnny make a good pair and they work together well and take what comes to them with a weird sort of grace and understanding. Especially Maria. She understands Johnny and it makes them both move through the events in the book remarkably; Johnny appreciates her understanding, and Maria appreciates his understanding and company as well.
Third: I loved how the book was musically oriented. It was about a boy being saved by music, and a girl who had the same attitude towards music. For a music lover, this book was great. I'm definitely going to be looking into some of the more obscure bands mentioned in the book.
Fourth: it surprised me. It was not at all what I expected from reading the synopsis on the jacket flap and I love books that surprise me.
December 2, 2014
Debbie Harry Sings in French is the kind of book that you pick up unsuspectingly and wind up wishing more people would read. Our hero, Johnny, is a thoughtful, goth-clothed, eyeliner-wearing teen who's been left to fend for himself (dead father, checked-out mother)after a stint in rehab and a relocation to his uncle's house in South Carolina. Everyday is a fight. Though the book takes an honest look at Johnny's difficult life, it ultimately becomes a tale of love and acceptance. Johnny meets a young, spirited woman who sees in Johnny the beauty that he cannot see in himself. With her help, Johnny embarks on a non-cliched journey of exploration and identity.
This excellent novel tackles real issues that may be uncomfortable to some, but which deserve and need to be talked about. It's an examination of gender expression, teenage sexuality, family dynamics, bullying and so much more, wrapped up in an honest and unassuming young adult book. For the open minded, this book may be a refreshing treat.
This excellent novel tackles real issues that may be uncomfortable to some, but which deserve and need to be talked about. It's an examination of gender expression, teenage sexuality, family dynamics, bullying and so much more, wrapped up in an honest and unassuming young adult book. For the open minded, this book may be a refreshing treat.
June 4, 2010
While growing up in Tampa in the early 1990s, Johnny's life is seemingly derailed by a series of tragic events: His father dies suddenly and accidentally; his mother suffers from a nervous breakdown and refuses to function as a parent; and Johnny turns to alcohol to dull the pain of losing both parents. Forced into rehab and later sent to South Carolina to live with his uncle, Johnny discovers Debbie Harry along the way and falls in love with the singer. Although heterosexual, Johnny begins to dress and perform as Debbie with the support of his counter-culture girlfriend Maria. With so many different personal issues worked into the novel, Brothers at times teeters on the edge of being overwhelmed, but luckily never falls over the line. The story is well told and surprisingly believable with so many unusual plot points. Best for 13-15 year olds, especially if they've discovered Debby Harry. Or transvestism.
July 30, 2012
This book hit very close to home for me. It explores the reasons and catalysts behind drug and alcohol use disorders without condemning or othering the people involved. One thing I found unrealistic was the main character's total abstinence from alcohol after only one stint in rehab; only one try at quitting. However, I understand the need for simplification in YA books, as well as the limits of how long a book can be. It's just important for young readers to keep in mind that it's often not that simple. I loved that our protagonist's healthy new methods of coping with life's problems were not necessarily easy to explain and not easy for others to understand. The author made it clear that none of this makes the character's actions any less healthy or acceptable. I really saw myself and people who are close to me in the troubled teens portrayed in this beautiful story.
February 25, 2009
Johnny is one of my new favorite characters. He's got plenty of problems and the way he decides to deal with it involves a lot of alcohol. He does go into recovery and starts to sort himself out, but what really impresses me about him is the way that he refuses to be boxed in by labels. He does what he needs to do for himself and doesn't feel like he HAS to be one thing or another. Reading this book made me feel very happy. Obviously, there is some drug and alcohol use, as well as a wee bit of sex and some language, but it's relatively tame.
August 20, 2009
I loved this book! I always read the ends of books right away to see if the ending is something I can live with! If it is, and if I find the book worth reading, I go back and see how it got there. This book was wonderful in that respect. I had to read little bits and think about them....and also savour it. I read exclusively books about adolescents. I find it hard to find books about boys which aren't action oriented. So this was quite a delight!
Hugh
Hugh
March 11, 2009
Current GLBT lit is getting better and better, and this book is no exception. Johnny doesn't spend a lot of time contemplating whether or not he's gay, whether he's a transsexual, or a transvestite, but after a series of events, both believable and sentimental, Johnny realizes that he is a transvestite. Funny and worthwhile.
August 29, 2010
Five stars, just because the world needs more books about teenage cross dressers. In particular, I like how it's an obsession with Blondie singer Debbie Harry that triggers the main character's desire to dress like a woman. Who hasn't idolized a famous female musician at one point or another and dreamed about being her?
April 13, 2012
I love this book. I absolutely love it. The characters are believable and actually develop as characters, and the first person narrative pulls you in, even if you think the storyline is not so relate-able. As a music person myself, I have to admit I love the idea of music being what pulls you back from the edge, and being able to find peace in it, where before you had drinking or drugs.
January 14, 2015
Sometimes young adult novels seem generic and obviously written by an adult. I didn't feel this way about this book. A ten year old boy who is kind of nerdy suddenly has this really cool high school "babysitter" afterschool each day. She introduces him to genres of music and he ends up finding out about new dimensions of himself.
"Orta" English difficulty level.
"Orta" English difficulty level.
February 4, 2008
Maybe a bit partial due to friendship, but I am an honest person, and I honestly loved it. It is easy for me to sympathize with the outcast/loner types. I never felt that I fit in, sometimes still dont, but now I am ok with it.
September 29, 2013
Engaging right from the start. I loved Maria and Johnny. And the chapters named for Blondie lyrics. Will kids who who didn't grow up listening to "Hanging on the telephone" care? I don't know. But I loved it!
October 5, 2009
what's not to like about a sort-of-goth, alcoholic, straight high school guy who loves Debbie Harry so much he wants to dress like her? and his new girlfriend is supportive, to say the least. long a hardcore Blondie fan, I'm now also a Meagan Brothers fan.
October 1, 2012
I'm late to the party on this one, but MAN did I love this book. Johnny and Maria broke my heart -- I wanted to climb into the book and help them (not that they needed my help, mind you). This is a gorgeous book about figuring out who you are when all signs around you say "YOU ARE A FREAK."
February 7, 2009
My second time reading this book. Really terrific!
January 6, 2010
All I have to say is:
READ. THIS. BOOK.
No question. Just go.
READ. THIS. BOOK.
No question. Just go.
April 5, 2011
Both an excellent first novel and an excellent juvenile themed premise. Meagan brings the characters to life.
March 31, 2013
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11413959
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11413959
April 10, 2016
A great edgy YA novel. The story deals with issues of gender identity and does a good job of differentiating between gender and sexuality.
March 30, 2013
ohnny is not a stranger to heart break. At thirteen, his father was killed in a car accident and his mother drowned her sorrows in sleeping pills and Gin. In order to keep a roof over their heads, and food in their stomachs, Johnny had to become the "man" of the house and take over for his emotionally distraught mother. Now that he is sixteen, Johnny has one thing he never thought he would have: a drinking problem. In order to get away from his awful existence, Johnny drinks and drinks. The fond memories of his time with his "babysitter," Tessa, are what keep his somewhat sane and addicted to music. Other than that, Johnny does what he can to carve his place in the world, which is somewhere between the wall and the wallpaper to escape his former zombified mother. As much as he enjoys his solitude, Johnny does have one friend whom he can partake with named Terry. If Johnny is messed up, Terry is a train wreck. Although Johnny is struggling to find his place, his world changed when he woke up in the hospital after mistakenly taking pills that he thought were Aspirin. After being sent to rehab, Johnny's discovered the brilliance of Blondie and when he heard Debbie Harris sing in French was literally love at first sound. When he was released, nothing was the same and things got weirder when his mom shipped him off to his uncle's in South Carolina. Although he was expecting the worse, living with his uncle and cousin isn't that bad, especially when he meets Maria. For Johnny, life may actually get better, but when he decides he wants to be Debbie Harry, things between him and Maria, and his classmates, is going to leave on fabulous mess.
In this relatively short story, one teen loses everything only to gain so much more. After the death of his father, Johnny, and his mother, fell apart. When his mother finally got it together, Johnny was an alcoholic. Unfortunately, when we lose a loved one, some people aren't able to deal with the loss and they hide from everything and everyone. In Johnny's case, he had to become the adult to make sure that he and his mom had a roof over their head and food on the table. However, while his mother was sulking, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol. Obviously, it wasn't anyone's fault that this happened, but, in reality stuff like this does. The only way Johnny could cope was to self-medicate, which led him to a party that landed him in the ER, Fortunately, Johnny found a much safer alternative to deal with his problems by listening to Blondie. What's interesting about this particular story is that Johnny has been constantly looking for himself and it seems that he isn't satisfied with just Johnny. When he heard Debbie Harry sing in French he was just amazed, entranced, and mesmerized. Not only was she gorgeous, her voice made her special and different. Johnnie has always wanted to be and feel special so he used clothing, make-up, and radical hair styles to show everyone that he is someone different. Although most teens experiments with fads, especially fashion fads, they are trying to demonstrate their autonomy, but, at the same time, find that place where they feel comfortable in their own skin. For Johnny, he felt that if he somehow became Debbie Harry, he would feel wonderful and perfect. As the story unfolds, a lot of secrets will be revealed, which will not only settle the animosity between Johnny and his mother, but allow him the opportunity to stand up for himself and have the courage to believe in himself.
In this relatively short story, one teen loses everything only to gain so much more. After the death of his father, Johnny, and his mother, fell apart. When his mother finally got it together, Johnny was an alcoholic. Unfortunately, when we lose a loved one, some people aren't able to deal with the loss and they hide from everything and everyone. In Johnny's case, he had to become the adult to make sure that he and his mom had a roof over their head and food on the table. However, while his mother was sulking, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol. Obviously, it wasn't anyone's fault that this happened, but, in reality stuff like this does. The only way Johnny could cope was to self-medicate, which led him to a party that landed him in the ER, Fortunately, Johnny found a much safer alternative to deal with his problems by listening to Blondie. What's interesting about this particular story is that Johnny has been constantly looking for himself and it seems that he isn't satisfied with just Johnny. When he heard Debbie Harry sing in French he was just amazed, entranced, and mesmerized. Not only was she gorgeous, her voice made her special and different. Johnnie has always wanted to be and feel special so he used clothing, make-up, and radical hair styles to show everyone that he is someone different. Although most teens experiments with fads, especially fashion fads, they are trying to demonstrate their autonomy, but, at the same time, find that place where they feel comfortable in their own skin. For Johnny, he felt that if he somehow became Debbie Harry, he would feel wonderful and perfect. As the story unfolds, a lot of secrets will be revealed, which will not only settle the animosity between Johnny and his mother, but allow him the opportunity to stand up for himself and have the courage to believe in himself.
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Breanna F. for TeensReadToo.com
Johnny has had a bit of a tough life so far and he has always been somewhat of a freak. When he was younger, his father died and his mother completely fell apart. Johnny had to learn how to pay the bills and practically take care of the both of them. When Johnny ended up falling into the Goth scene, his mother somehow came out of her funk and became all concerned for Johnny. All Johnny wants to do is party with his friends and drink. But, one night at a club, this girl gives him some sort of drug when all he wanted was an aspirin - and he ends up in the hospital from a drug overdose.
Of course, after the overdose, his mother sends him to rehab, and while there Johnny discovers Debbie Harry of Blondie singing in French. He is immediately taken aback. Debbie's voice blows him away, and it doesn't hurt that she's a complete bombshell.
After Johnny gets back from rehab, things are a bit weird between him and his mother. His mom can't handle it, so she sends him away to live with his Uncle Sam and his daughter, Bug, in South Carolina. Johnny is flaming angry at first, but once there realizes that his Uncle is pretty great and Bug is an awesome little kid. And of course, there's Maria Costello (as in Elvis). She's an interesting girl who Johnny takes a liking to pretty quickly. When Maria discovers Johnny's love of Debbie, and that secretly Johnny wants to be like her, she buys this dress that looks like one of Debbie's and tells Johnny about a drag contest in New York. At first Johnny doesn't know whether she's serious or if she's making fun of him.
With trying to practice for the contest, helping Bug with projects for school, getting bullied nonstop by some guys who used to be Maria's friends, and dealing with the fact that his mother can't handle him, Johnny has a lot on his plate.
DEBBIE HARRY SINGS IN FRENCH was a great debut novel by Meagan Brothers. It puts you inside the head of a pretty confused young man. Things are tough enough for teenagers in the first place, but when you throw in the loss of a parent things can be even harder. The title had me intrigued when I first picked up this book and it didn't let me down. Johnny was a really great in-depth character and so was Maria.
If you're in the mood for reading about a slightly troubled boy who turns to Debbie Harry and his girlfriend Maria to keep him from starting to drink again, then this is a great book for you.
Johnny has had a bit of a tough life so far and he has always been somewhat of a freak. When he was younger, his father died and his mother completely fell apart. Johnny had to learn how to pay the bills and practically take care of the both of them. When Johnny ended up falling into the Goth scene, his mother somehow came out of her funk and became all concerned for Johnny. All Johnny wants to do is party with his friends and drink. But, one night at a club, this girl gives him some sort of drug when all he wanted was an aspirin - and he ends up in the hospital from a drug overdose.
Of course, after the overdose, his mother sends him to rehab, and while there Johnny discovers Debbie Harry of Blondie singing in French. He is immediately taken aback. Debbie's voice blows him away, and it doesn't hurt that she's a complete bombshell.
After Johnny gets back from rehab, things are a bit weird between him and his mother. His mom can't handle it, so she sends him away to live with his Uncle Sam and his daughter, Bug, in South Carolina. Johnny is flaming angry at first, but once there realizes that his Uncle is pretty great and Bug is an awesome little kid. And of course, there's Maria Costello (as in Elvis). She's an interesting girl who Johnny takes a liking to pretty quickly. When Maria discovers Johnny's love of Debbie, and that secretly Johnny wants to be like her, she buys this dress that looks like one of Debbie's and tells Johnny about a drag contest in New York. At first Johnny doesn't know whether she's serious or if she's making fun of him.
With trying to practice for the contest, helping Bug with projects for school, getting bullied nonstop by some guys who used to be Maria's friends, and dealing with the fact that his mother can't handle him, Johnny has a lot on his plate.
DEBBIE HARRY SINGS IN FRENCH was a great debut novel by Meagan Brothers. It puts you inside the head of a pretty confused young man. Things are tough enough for teenagers in the first place, but when you throw in the loss of a parent things can be even harder. The title had me intrigued when I first picked up this book and it didn't let me down. Johnny was a really great in-depth character and so was Maria.
If you're in the mood for reading about a slightly troubled boy who turns to Debbie Harry and his girlfriend Maria to keep him from starting to drink again, then this is a great book for you.
October 19, 2013
Thanks to his father’s early death and his mother’s emotional shut down, sixteen-year-old Johnny has become alcoholic. In rehab after an emergency room trip, Johnny discovers that listening to Debbie Harry—-lead singer of the 80’s band Blondie--somehow eases his pain. She is “cool and tough and beautiful,” and sometimes, he wishes he could just be her. After rehab, Johnny’s mother ships him off to his uncle in backwater South Carolina, and to a private school where kids call him “fag” despite his heterosexuality. Johnny makes the best of it, gaining a kickass girlfriend who not only understands his love of Debbie Harry, but encourages it—-to the point of buying him a dress and teaching him to walk in heels.
This book pulls none of its punches, offering raw honesty about Johnny’s issues with alcohol, bullies, and his confusing desire to become Debbie Harry. Even readers who do not “get” transvestism will sympathize with Johnny’s struggle to understand himself, and cheer him on when he confronts his fears and desires and becomes the person he was meant to be. Secondary characters all have complexity and defects, including Johnny’s girlfriend, and the writing and structure help create a surprising depth of story in a fairly brief book. For teens uneasy with desires they do not comprehend, this book is a winner.
This book pulls none of its punches, offering raw honesty about Johnny’s issues with alcohol, bullies, and his confusing desire to become Debbie Harry. Even readers who do not “get” transvestism will sympathize with Johnny’s struggle to understand himself, and cheer him on when he confronts his fears and desires and becomes the person he was meant to be. Secondary characters all have complexity and defects, including Johnny’s girlfriend, and the writing and structure help create a surprising depth of story in a fairly brief book. For teens uneasy with desires they do not comprehend, this book is a winner.
December 30, 2008
I have two other books that I read before this one that I still need to write my reviews on, but I tore through this one today and couldn't wait to write about it.
While this isn't the most action packed book ever, Johnny's sincere, funny and poignant coming of age tale had me riveted. I read it every spare moment I had today, from getting on the subway to go to work, on my break, and in the first few minutes of the ride back home. While there are elements of "the problem novel" here that are fairly predictable - alcohol abuse, school bullies, dating - the surrounding theme of Johnny's exploration of transvestism kept me coming back. That was the part I couldn't predict - how would he feel wearing his first dress? Would he want to go out in public? How will other people react? I wanted and needed to know.
It's not a perfect book, but it's an excellent addition to LGBT YA literature. While Johnny isn't gay, he certainly suffers because people think he is (or at least, teenage boys think calling someone a fag is the most excellent insult ever, regardless of a person's actual sexual orientation).
While this isn't the most action packed book ever, Johnny's sincere, funny and poignant coming of age tale had me riveted. I read it every spare moment I had today, from getting on the subway to go to work, on my break, and in the first few minutes of the ride back home. While there are elements of "the problem novel" here that are fairly predictable - alcohol abuse, school bullies, dating - the surrounding theme of Johnny's exploration of transvestism kept me coming back. That was the part I couldn't predict - how would he feel wearing his first dress? Would he want to go out in public? How will other people react? I wanted and needed to know.
It's not a perfect book, but it's an excellent addition to LGBT YA literature. While Johnny isn't gay, he certainly suffers because people think he is (or at least, teenage boys think calling someone a fag is the most excellent insult ever, regardless of a person's actual sexual orientation).
June 30, 2009
Navigating his new life after the death of his father and coping with the ensuing alcoholism of his mother, Johnny attempts to keep his household a home. After losing their house and living in poverty, his mother finally sobers up and finds Jesus, allowing Johnny to experience adolescence without the responsibilities of adulthood. However, he finds solace with the same alcoholic demon with which his mother battled, and he lands in rehab after an incident with E. In rehab, a fellow patient introduces him to Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie, who becomes his savior in the tough months ahead. Her power and allure captivate him. As he adapts to his new life staying with his uncle and attending a private school in small town South Carolina, Johnny falls in love with a young woman who hides as many secrets as he does and who opens new realms of possibility for Johnny to express his infatuation with Debbie Harry. Fresh and tender in its portrayal of a subculture rarely understood (heterosexual male transvestites), this book challenges readers to examine society's notions of beauty, power, sex, and gender.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews