When we turn the corner, we’re right behind Kit and her parents. Her mom is in the front seat, but turned toward Kit, talking animatedly. When I think how things were with them, when Kit first came out . . . it’s a minor miracle. And Kit . . . she hasn’t exactly changed through all of this, she’s just become, I don’t know, more Kit. Looking back on all that’s happened, it’s hard for me to believe I was so uptight about everything when Kit first told me she was a lesbian. It’s like what’s to worry about?
Something else I’ve not told you yet—Kit’s going to stay with her aunt and attend California State at San Francisco. I’ll miss her soooo much. Which is another thing I don’t want to think about right now. I really don’t want to walk across the stage tonight drowning in tears, with my face all blotchy from crying, and snot running out of my nose. Oh my gosh!
What else do you need to know? Conan finally told his family about me. They flipped. But he told them that’s who I’m with, that’s who I love. Let me know when you want to meet her. So far, no dates are penciled in. Here’s the thing though, now that Conan’s acknowledged me, I don’t care so much what his parents think.
What will I remember about my senior year when I’m thirty? Or forty? Or fifty? I’ll still remember Celie, and Shug, from The Color Purple, and how Celie finally found love when Shug helped her break the man-made rules. I’ll remember how Kit grew strong and happy once she determined to be true to herself. The beach, with Conan and Kit. All of the times under the tree I’ve told you about, and some I haven’t. Pride bracelets. Choir. Emmy and Rosie. Woodsy, Guy and Mr. Cordova.
Of course, I will remember Conan. Again Conan. And more of Conan. I expect we’ll be together, years from now, remembering it all. And we’ll treasure the strength of our love for one another, knowing we’ve overcome those crazy rules that say color is more important than spirit.
Besides The Color Purple, I’ll remember the title of the Alice Walker book I didn’t read—the one titled The Way Forward Is With a Broken Heart. But I’m going to remember it as The Way Forward Is With an Open Heart. Because it is. And I’ll for sure remember that love is stronger than hate. All of that and more is what I learned in my senior year of high school.
The Complete True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High
BY MARILYN REYNOLDS
1–TELLING When twelve-year-old Cassie is accosted and fondled by the father of the children for whom she babysits, she feels dirty and confused.
2–DETOUR FOR EMMY Classic novel about Emmy, pregnant at 15. Read by tens of thousands of teens. American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults List; South Caro¬lina Young Adult Book Award.
3–TOO SOON FOR JEFF Jeff is a senior, a nationally ranked debater, and reluctant father of Christy’s unborn baby. Best Books for Young Adults; Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers; ABC After-School TV Special.
4–BEYOND DREAMS Six short stories dealing with situations faced by teenagers - drinking and driving, racism, school failure, abortion, partner abuse, aging relative. “...believable, likeable, and appropriately thoughtful.” —Booklist
5–BUT WHAT ABOUT ME? Erica pours more and more of her life into helping boyfriend Danny get back on track. But the more she tries to help him, the more she loses sight of her own dreams. It takes a tragic turn of events to show Erica that she can’t “save” Danny, and that she is losing herself in the process of trying.
6–BABY HELP Melissa doesn’t consider herself abused - after all, Rudy only hits her occa¬sionally when he’s drinking . . . until she realizes the effect his abuse is having on her child.
7–IF YOU LOVED ME Are love and sex synonymous? Must Lauren break her promise to herself in order to keep Tyler’s love? “engaging, though-provoking read, recommended for reluctant readers.” —Booklist
8–LOVE RULES A testament to the power of love - in family, in friendships, and in teen couples, whether gay or straight, of the same ethnicity or not. It is a testament to the power of gay/straight alliances in working toward the safety of all students.
9–NO MORE SAD GOODBYES “For all the sadness in it, Autumn and her baby’s story is ultimately one of love and hope. It’s a very positive presentation of adoption, especially open adoption.” —Kliatt
10–SHUT UP Mario (17) and Eddie (9) move in with their aunt after their mother is sent to Iraq with her National Guard unit. Months later, Mario discovers their aunt’s boyfriend in the act of sexually molesting Eddie. Mario’s sole purpose is now to protect his little brother. He takes extreme measures.
Praise for the Hamilton High Series
“Reynolds’ treatment of youth and their challenges, from sexual abstinence to mixed-race parentage, is compassionate, never condescending; the dialogue, situations, emotions, and behavior of the well-defined teen characters ring true. [If You Loved Me is] an engaging, thought-provoking read . . .”
—Shelle Rosenfeld, Booklist
“Out of all the books I’ve read (and trust me, I’ve read tons of books), yours have impacted me the most. They are filled with reality and hope and strength, and make me feel stronger.”
—Gillian, Georgia
“For all the sadness in [No More Sad Goodbyes], Autumn and her baby’s story is ultimately one of love and hope.”
—Claire Rosser, Kliatt
“I have just finished reading Detour for Emmy. I wanted you to know that in all my years of school that book is the first book that I have honestly read from cover to cover. I can’t wait to read more of yours.”
—Amy, Montana
“Touching on the adolescent themes of teenage sex, adoption, and abortion - this [No More Sad Goodbyes] topical novel is poignant and inspiring.”
—Lambda Rising
“I want to tell you that I find your books very interesting and reading them has helped me get through a lot in my life. Thank you.”
—Julie, La Puente High School
“Before I read If You Loved Me I had never bothered to check out a book at a library, but now I can’t stop reading. Thank you for changing the way I lived my life.”
—Maria, Bell Gardens High School
“Your book [But What About Me?] touched me because it feels like I was the only one going through these things, but when I read your book I knew that I wasn’t alone.”
—Kendra, Wisconsin
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Also by Marilyn Reynolds
True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High
Telling
Detour For Emmy
Too Soon for Jeff
Beyond Dreams
But What About Me?
Baby Help
If You Loved Me
Love Rules
No More Sad Goodbyes
Shut Up
Eddie's Choice
About the Author
Marilyn Reynolds is the author of eleven books of realistic teen fiction: Eddie's Choice, Shut Up, No More Sad Goodbyes, But What About Me, Love Rules, Baby Help, Telling, If You Loved Me, Beyond Dreams, Too Soon for Jeff and Detour for Emmy, all part of the popular True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High. Reynolds is also the author of a book for educators, I Won't Read and You Can't Make Me: Reaching Reluctant Teen Readers, and Over 70 and I Don't Mean MPH. Reynolds has a variety of published personal essays to her credit, and was nominated for the ABC Afterschool Special teleplay of Too Soon for Jeff.
Reynolds worked with reluctant learners and teens in crises at a southern California alternative high school for more than two decades. She remains actively involved in education through author presentations to middle and high school students ranging from struggling readers to highly motivated writers who are interested in developing work for possible
publication. She also presents staff development workshops for educators and is often a guest speaker for programs and organizations that serve teens, parents, teachers, and writers.
Reynolds lives in Sacramento where she enjoys neighborhood walks, visits with friends and family, movies and dinner out, and the luxury of reading at odd hours of the day and night.
About the Publisher
New Wind is an independent publisher dedicated to providing readers with quality fiction and non-fiction. We believe in the craft of writing, the importance of books, and the ability of the written word to express truth, convey beauty, and change lives. We work closely and collaboratively with each writer through the entire stage of bringing a book to life. Writers interested in submitting manuscripts to New Wind Publishing should request to be added to our mailing list; we will notify you when our reading periods open.
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