If I Told You So
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3. Sean admits to enjoying kissing with Lisa. How is it possible that he can enjoy kissing a girl while claiming to be gay? Is Sean being hypocritical in his relationship with Lisa?
4. Sean is surprised when Lisa tells him that Brad, a fellow camp counselor, is gay. Why is this so surprising to Sean? Sean also admits that he’d like to talk to Brad about coming out. What insights could Brad offer to Sean? How would Brad’s coming out story differ from Sean’s? How would it be similar?
5. Sean says his mother is a school counselor and he’s pretty sure she’ll be accepting of him as gay, but he’s still reluctant to share his sexuality with her. Why would Sean be unsure? What incidents from Sean’s past may have created his doubts? Why is it important for adults or those in positions of authority to speak up when they hear anti-gay language or bullying?
6. What is Sean’s mother’s initial reaction to his coming out? Does the circumstance of Sean’s announcement affect her reaction? Would she be more accepting if Sean had broken the news in another way? How does she let Sean know that she will be supportive?
7. Why does Sean have such a hard time coming out to his father? What does his father do or say that keeps Sean from opening up? Does the fact that Sean’s father lives in Georgia affect Sean’s wilfingness to come out to him? Does distance make staying in the closet easier?
8. Why is Sean’s relationship with his father so difficult? Why is it hard for them to communicate? Does Sean feel his father abandoned him by moving to Georgia? If so, why isn’t he happier for his dad to show up in Bell Cove? How do Sean’s father’s actions show his true feelings for his son?
9. Becky gives Sean “Gay Culture 101,” teaching him about gay movies, clothing, and music. Why wouldn’t Sean have discovered these on his own? Why does Sean need someone like Becky to help him experience gay culture when he has the resources of the Internet available to him? Why, do you think, is Sean so sheltered? Is it by choice or by circumstance?
10. Why does Sean fall for Jay so quickly? Even though she encouraged Sean to pursue Jay, Becky also warns Sean to take things slowly. Why does she give Sean this advice? Did Becky see Jay’s betrayal coming? What does Jay do that would make Becky suspicious? What warning signs did Sean have that may have saved him from heartbreak?
11. Sean admires one of Jo Anne’s paintings of Bell Cove and says that “for the first time that I can remember, I find myself wanting to see more of Bell Cove.” What is it about the painting that intrigues him? How has the summer changed Sean’s attitude toward Bell Cove? Jo Anne then shows Sean a painting from her first apartment in New York City and tells him “that sometimes you need to look beyond the surface to find what you’re looking for.” How does that apply to Sean’s life in Bell Cove? How does it apply to his life as a gay man?
12. Sean says he thought he was the only gay person in Bell Cove, but he discovers this isn’t so. How many gay people does Sean meet? Are they all surprises to him? How do you think these discoveries will change Sean’s feelings toward his hometown? How important is it for gay youth to be able to see themselves in their surroundings? Why are events like Gay Pride important for this purpose?
13. How will Sean’s life change as he heads back to school after the summer? Do you think he will come out to the rest of the school? What difficulties might he encounter? What resources will he have to rely on?
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2012 by Timothy C. Woodward
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-7999-6
Table of Contents
Advance Praise for Timothy Woodward and If I Told You So
Title Page
Table of Contents
Dedication
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
A READING GROUP GUIDE
Copyright Page