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Powell's Q&A | January 17, 2012

Ryan Boudinot: IMG Powell’s Q&A: Ryan Boudinot



Describe your latest work. Blueprints of the Afterlife is a novel about the following things: giant heads that appear in the sky, a mystical... Continue »
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    Blueprints of the Afterlife

    Ryan Boudinot 9780802170910

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1 Burnside Children's Young Adult- General

Debbie Harry Sings in French

by Meagan Brothers

Debbie Harry Sings in French Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Johnnys had kind of a tough life so far, and hes 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. Hed like to be cool and tough and beautiful like her. Hed like to dress like her. Hes not gay, at least he doesnt 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-andwhite 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.

Review:

"In this impressive debut novel, the 'problem' (transvestitism) is so nimbly woven into the narrative that it will barely surprise readers. After a successful stay at a rehab facility, 17-year-old Johnny, a recovering alcoholic, is sent by his mother to live with her late husband's brother, Sam. There he begins a relationship with fellow prep-school student Maria; they bond over music and over their outcast status (classmates falsely assume Johnny is gay and taunt him). Johnny harbors a throwback fascination with Debbie Harry ('I imagined her as a cross between Jean Seberg from Breathless and the St. Pauli Girl. I wanted that voice to sing to me forever'), and Maria nurtures it, even when it folds into a desire to look like Harry — tough and beautiful. It's Maria who encourages him to perform, dressed as Harry, in a drag contest. Meanwhile Johnny's relationship with his uncle provides some of the most touching scenes: through Sam, Johnny comes to know his late father not as a withdrawn, road-weary businessman but as someone more surprising (and more like him). Although the novel can feel plot-heavy, the brisk pace and the strong-willed, empathetic narrator will keep readers fully engaged. Ages 14 — up." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

About the Author

MEAGAN BROTHERS made a name for herself in NYCs spoken-word scene. Her chapbook, 1978, was published in 2001 by CafeMo Press, and in 2003 she was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. This is her first novel, and she is currently at work on the second.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780805080803
Author:
Brothers, Meagan
Publisher:
Henry Holt & Company
Subject:
Situations / Adolescence
Subject:
Sex role
Subject:
Schools
Subject:
Social Issues - Adolescence
Subject:
Identity
Subject:
Children s Young Adult-Social Issue Fiction-Adolescence
Subject:
Children s Young Adult-Social Issue Fiction
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Trade Cloth
Publication Date:
20080531
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
from 9
Language:
English
Pages:
240
Dimensions:
7.77x5.13x.77 in. .65 lbs.
Age Level:
14-17

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Related Aisles

Debbie Harry Sings in French Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$11.50 In Stock
Product details 240 pages Henry Holt & Company - English 9780805080803 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "In this impressive debut novel, the 'problem' (transvestitism) is so nimbly woven into the narrative that it will barely surprise readers. After a successful stay at a rehab facility, 17-year-old Johnny, a recovering alcoholic, is sent by his mother to live with her late husband's brother, Sam. There he begins a relationship with fellow prep-school student Maria; they bond over music and over their outcast status (classmates falsely assume Johnny is gay and taunt him). Johnny harbors a throwback fascination with Debbie Harry ('I imagined her as a cross between Jean Seberg from Breathless and the St. Pauli Girl. I wanted that voice to sing to me forever'), and Maria nurtures it, even when it folds into a desire to look like Harry — tough and beautiful. It's Maria who encourages him to perform, dressed as Harry, in a drag contest. Meanwhile Johnny's relationship with his uncle provides some of the most touching scenes: through Sam, Johnny comes to know his late father not as a withdrawn, road-weary businessman but as someone more surprising (and more like him). Although the novel can feel plot-heavy, the brisk pace and the strong-willed, empathetic narrator will keep readers fully engaged. Ages 14 — up." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
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