Getting It

He clicked on Queer Eye, a show where five gay dudes gave some grungy straight guy a makeover — plucking his nose hairs, redecorating his apartment, and teaching him to bake a quiche — so he could confidently propose marriage to his girlfriend and she'd tell him "yes." Which, of course, she did. On TV the guy always gets the girl.

As Carlos watched, he recalled Sal, the supposedly gay guy at school. It was then that the idea first popped into his brain: If Sal truly were queer...could he possibly help Carlos?...Nor to propose to Roxy, of course — at least not yet — but to get her to maybe like him?

"Sanchez (Rainbow Boys) begins with an intriguing premise: inspired by the TV show Queer Eye, 15-year-old Carlos Amoroso asks Sal, the gay guy at school, to make him over so he can stop being a 'girlfriend-less virgin.' Sal agrees, in exchange for Carlos's help with forming a Gay-Straight Alliance. As Sal helps Carlos fix up his room and shop for clothes — and even eat better — he also teaches Carlos to be more honest and to stand up for what is right. The story goes on a bit too long, but the author presents an authentic if somewhat raw world here: the characters describe their hookups, many of which begin with the Web; his friends tell Carlos about the 'hookup rules' that explain why his crush, Roxy, ignores him the day after they make out. The author also gives readers valuable information and ideas: his mother's boyfriend tells Carlos of the importance of condoms; when forming the GSA, Carlos tells his uncooperative principal that 'because of, um, a Supreme Court decision... you have to allow the club'; and Sal speculates about why gay guys have style ('None of the guys will come near you — and you try to figure out why. So you notice things — how people dress, wear their hair, decorate their room'). In the end, it is sensitive-but-flawed Carlos and his struggle to do right that keeps this story grounded. Ages 12-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Alex Sanchez received his master's degree in guidance and counseling from Old Dominion University. For many years he worked as a youth and family counselor. His novels include the Lambda Award-winning So Hard to Say, the Rainbow Boys trilogy, and Bait. When not writing, Alex tours the country talking with teens, librarians, and educators about the importance of teaching tolerance and self-acceptance. Originally from Mexico, Alex now lives in Thailand and Hollywood, Florida. Visit Alex at AlexSanchez.com.