Nico is not the typical gay boy in children's fiction

One of the things that is so exciting about Nico being a gay teenage character in fiction for the pre-teen age group is that he is not a typical gay boy, no-one could have predicted with certainty that he would be gay. None of his peers in the books suspect his secret. This is in contrast to the very few other books written for this age group that includes gay boys. The gay boys in books like the Misfits and Stitches (see tab above - LGBT literature for children) have themes about bullying of boys who are different and "girlie". Nico is different, of course, he is a loner and a son of one of the big three Gods. But, he is certainly not feminine, no-one would call him a sissy and I can't imagine him the victim of bullying. He is one of the most powerful demigods and you would want him on your side in any fight. I have known many gay teenagers and talked with adult gay men about their teenage lives. Strangely enough one of my best friends was very much like the boy in Stitches - as a teenager he liked sewing dolls clothes, too. So there is certainly a place for stories about queer boys who identified and picked on for being different. However, There are other gay boys that you would never guess are gay, I've known them too, if anything there are more of those boys. Into all the stuff most boys are into. Nico is a powerful hero in these books so lets celebrate that at last boys who want to be powerful heroes have a gay role model to identify with. I can't wait for the next book and more stories with characters like Nico.

Tom Daley - swimmer

British young man and role model "comes out" on you tube:
He is 19 and an Olympic swimmer.

What do Reviews Say about House of Hades book in the Heroes of Olympus Series?

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive about this book, no surprise there, I've read it and it's wonderful!

 I read this interesting review today: http://bookriot.com/2013/11/19/percy-jackson-new-world-kid-lit/
Like many (including myself) the writer cannot resist a comparison with the Harry Potter series.

If you really want to find negative comments then you will need to look for those who left 1-star reviews at Amazon.com and you will find a minority upset by the Nico story line.

The critics are upset that a teenage boy can have romantic feelings for another boy in the book - and yet they have been happy to read the entire series up to this point, which has included plenty of girl-boy romance along with death and danger.  I hate to imagine the lives of lesbian and gay young people growing up in families like these and strongly recommend they watch the film "Prayers for Bobby" - see tab at top, or here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayers_for_Bobby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys5TyY8RaxI

 On Amazon dot co dot UK there are no 1 or 2 star reviews, there are few readers of the books here, perhaps more liberal attitudes and perhaps less readers with extreme homophobic views: I speculate.

Author Talks about Percy Jackson books

This was recorded in 2010 around the time of the Lost Hero.



Includes why many of the characters are ADHD and that girls are as likely to read the books as boys.

Using the word "gay" as an insult or to generally describe something in a negative way

This is common in the UK among school children and even young adults these days.

Though I would be very surprised to here proper grown up people use the word in this way (by which I mean those over about the age of 30).

There is a campaign to tackle this in schools but I am not sure to what extent this is taken as a serious problem by schools.  You can find a press release about the campaign here:
http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/9326.asp

Why the use of the word "gay" to mean all things negative and bad should be stopped.
It is so obvious that we do not call people names related to disability or race (anymore) - the same applies here.
If you use the word gay to mean something you do not like then you are saying you would not like gay people just as much.

All of the young people growing up in an environment where unpleasant things are described as gay (such as home work, a TV game, a teacher, a child you do not like) then the message that
GAY = UN-likeable
is being repeatedly reinforced.
No wonder that attempted suicides among gay youth are shockingly high.

This use of language is unacceptable if we do not want that for our own kids (if they turn out to be gay), and we do not want to live in a society where people are disliked, hated, bullied just for who they love.

Could Nico & Percy become boyfriends - is this consistent with the story so far?

Yes I think it could and RR is an excellent writer who could carry this off.  I don't want to speculate about what the author might do in future stories but as I am old enough to be Nico's mum I wonder what I'd say if asked

Does Nico stand a chance with Percy?

I'd look at the facts.
1) In the real world, where boys are boys and not demigods with super powers, boys rarely stick with their first teenage girlfriend so Annabeth and Percy are likely to split up soon.

2) Percy doesn't seem to be interested in boys, in that way, yet.  BUT
I've known many gay & lesbian people who dated members of the opposite sex first, and were perhaps late teens or in their twenties when they feel in love with someone of their own sex.  My best friend at school had a couple of boyfriends and then, half way between her 16th & 17th birthday she met the girl of her dreams.  She said to me,
"being a lesbian had just never crossed my mind before."
As we were at school in the 1980s lesbians dating each other caused much outrage.

3)  Most boys are not gay so when if it comes down to statistics Nico should not pin all his hopes on this, even if Percy & Annabeth finish.

Would Percy getting with Nico be consistent with the back story?

Given points 1 and 2 above it is certainly possible but given point 3 above - my guess it this is an unlikely route for the story.

Dealing with the facts we know Percy is thinking of a long term future with Annabeth and has said they shouldn't be parted again.  Percy is growing up though, not yet 17, so young to make such life plans.

Re-reading the story you can see that Percy's great feelings towards Annabeth could be due to their close friendship over many years.  His love and affection for her could be as a friend rather than a boyfriend. Annabeth is in love with Percy and keeps saying so but that sentiment is not returned.

We often here the world "confused" applied to young people and their romantic feelings, a story in which Percy is confused fits well with all that has gone before.
The girls who may have been interested in Percy as boyfriend material have all been more aware of the situation than he has.

Personally, I hope this does happen or that the story is left open ended to suggest it might. What a great turn of events to this fantastic story if the central Hero turns out to be gay.

Gay Teenagers in Kids Fiction: House of Hades & The Misfits

James Howe's book The Misfits is totally different to the fast paced non-stop action of Rick Riordhan's books nevertheless I think anyone with a sense of humour would enjoy reading The Misfits, almost every page is very funny.  It contains profound messages but doesn't feel as if the readers are being lectured.

The Misfits is perfect for children of about 10-13 years of age.

As a gay character Joe is a stereotype, which I found a little annoying at first: he loves Madonna, fashion and musicals, for example.  There are plenty of boys, however, who are just like Joe, different from most, perhaps girlie and perhaps gay - though not necessarily so.

Nico - seems very different to Joe.  No one would suspect Nico was gay or call him names like "fairy."  The two characters are similar in that they

•  both know they are gay,
•  they both name a boy they fancy,
•  they both have a lot of self confidence and do not try to fit in with the crowd,
•  they are both Misfits, outsiders who are excluded from the large popular groups because of their behaviour/ personalities,
• they both have just few core people they trust and consider friends. 

Jealousy figures in both stories.

As we join the story Joe is in 7th grade (so between 12-13 years of age), his closest friends know he may be gay.  One of his friends asks him how he knows he likes boys and not girls.

"How do you know you like girls?" Joe throws back at him.
....
"I just do. I don't have to think about it."
"Well," says Joe, "that's how it is with me and boys. I don't have to think about it." (J Howe)

The reader enjoys the scene in chapter 12 when Joe confirms who he is interested in (and has been since the end of 5th grade).
The next thing Joe tells his friends reminds me of Nico's pain and jealousy at the end of House of Hades.

What does a gay boy of 12/13 want more than anything in the whole world.

"What I want more than anything is to hold hands with someone I like."

.....
"Right. Can you see me walking down the hall holding hands with (xxx) the way Brittney holds hands with Will, or Sara with Justin? Not that I'm saying (xxx) would want to or anything, but it's not fair." (J Howe)

The Misfits is just one book with happy ending for all characters, just what we want! I hope Nico will also find happiness in the much anticipated The Blood of Olympus (Oct 2014).

Is Nico Di Angelo the First Gay Character in Main-stream Popular Children's Literature?

Yes. I think you could say that he is.
Although you could also argue he isn't depending on just how you define  popular and mainstream.
He is one of the main characters in a series of books with core readers being aged 9 to 12 years old.  Although also loved by teenagers and adults.
Books that have sold in their millions around the world.
Books that have multiple copies in every bookshop and library.

Now I really don't want to upset those who are aware of other earlier books such as

The Misfits by James Howe 

This is definitely a popular mainstream book by a well established author. Published more than 10 years ago and still available in print - with a central character being gay.  If there was any book that could be heralded as the first it could well be this one.

Words That Start with B by Vikki Vansickle

http://vikkivansickle.wordpress.com/books/

Published in 2011, popular with great reviews, it is the first of a series of three books.  Unfortunately not as widely available - be good if that could change.

Then there are a further pile of books that could be suggested.  Click on the tab at the top of this blog to link to a page with a longer list of kid's books with gay characters.

What should Parents Say to Gay Teenagers or Tween (Pre-teen) Kids?

What I Would Want to Tell Nico if I was his Mum

I would say teenage years are difficult for everyone, you are growing and learning and changing from child to adult but just know that it does get better.  You will find that in just a few years your life will change more than you can possibly imagine.

I would NOT say:

• you are probably confused
• you are too young to know
• it is just a phase.

These things are just wrong and dismiss the real feelings of the young people.  You would not say the same sort of thing if they told you they had a crush on someone of the opposite sex.

There is a load of research that shows lesbian and gay young people are more likely than their peers to attempt suicide.  Lots of young people attempt suicide so this should be a concern for parents.

L&G youth are also far more likely to find these years more stressful and more likely to be bullied.
You might find this article interesting, it is about bullying and things getting better

http://www.autostraddle.com/new-research-says-it-does-in-fact-get-better-for-gay-bullied-teens-155630/

Nico is a very unique case, being the son of Hades and arguably one of the two most powerful demigods created in the series.  Who is going to bully him!  Readers know he is lonely and isolated because most other demigods are scared of him or find him creepy.
Nico Di Angelo has promised that he is going to go away forever as he doesn't fit in.

Whilst our children are not fictional demigods they may have the same feelings as Nico and not realised how much they are loved and not realise how much their lives are going to get so much better.

At What Age Do Children Start to Realise they are Gay?

We could equally ask when do kids start to think they might be heterosexual?
An assumption of heterosexuality  is dominant in our society.
It is assumed we are all straight and our children will be straight.

The fact is that between 9 to 12 years of age is typically when children start to develop interests in the opposite sex or have same-sex desires, though for some it will be later.

Personally I have known many lesbian and gay teenagers so for me these aren't fanciful made up statistics.  When books, films and TV for children only show opposite sex couples they are making like harder for children who are different.

Parents may find this article interesting: http://www.parenting.com/article/could-your-child-be-gay

All kids should read books with gay characters, like Nico Di Angelo, which would make an easier transition from child to teenager, to adult.

What Will Become of Nico Di Angelo?

The final book in the series is due for publication 7th October 2014.
Children's books usually have positive ending and central characters do not usually die (the death of Dumbledore was such a shock) so I hope and predict good things for Nico.
He might not get together with Percy but he might meet someone new.  He might not meet the love of his life but he may be accepted, liked and loved by his peers.

Nico was already loved and admired by the readers, even before House of Hades.

What to Read After Percy Jackson?

There are a good many online recommendations of books for young adults who have enjoyed those written by Rick Riodhan.

Obviously, everyone should read the Kane Chronicle & Harry Potter!

Rick Riordhans recommendations (for young readers) are here:
http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/resources/ricks-reading-recommendations.aspx
And Rick's reviews of a range of books including some for adults are here:
http://rickriordan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/ricks-reads-collection-from-blog.html

Young people looking for lesbian and gay characters in teenage books may find something worth reading among those listed at this link or click on LGBT books tab at the top of this blog:
 http://reasonstolikenicodiangelo.blogspot.co.uk/p/more-gay-characters-in.html

Some of the books I have enjoyed within the past 18 months:

The Hobbit - I found this too slow and difficult as a child so I am always amazed to see 11 year olds with a copy!  I first completed it in my mid 30s and again just before the film came out.

Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green a good way to brush up on the old Myths.

One of the things I look for in a book is humour, so one of the best books I have read this year is:

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.  Laugh out loud, fast paced, crazy.  I think the older you are the more you would like it as the story weaves in and out of real events of the twentieth century.  The story is far fetched and I like that.  I also liked the writing style (many have been very critical of this)  - the author does not conformed to the conventions of story telling.

The Island by Victoria Hislop 

was thrust upon me after a friend learnt I was going to Greece - a trip inspired by RR.  This is another fast paced gripping book but one that needs to be read with a box of tissues.  It is not just that so much sad stuff happens in the story but even though this is a work of fiction events like these really did take place on the Island of Crete (land of the labyrinth and the Minotaur) within the last 100 years.  I have another book by this author to read very soon.

What is the Target Age Group for the Percy Jackson books?

In our local book shop the books are in the 9 to 12 years age group.  I think most 9 year old would enjoy the audio books but would find the books very challenging to read.  The same age group who enjoy Harry Potter.

They are ideal books for children to read, aged about 10 - 12.

When he was 9 my son was reading the Diary of a Wimpy kid series and would have struggled to read Percy Jackson.  Shortly after his 10th birthday they were no problem to him and he would sit for hours reading them.  Other children that I know who are/were reading the books were also 10+.

By the way, in reading tests my son has a well above average reading ability (in England) but sometimes the "average" seems to be a very low standard.

Another clue: the characters age.  In the Lightening Thief (book 1) Percy is 12.  Children usually read books about characters who are the same age as themselves or just a few years older.

Did Nico have a crush on Annabeth

There is little evidence of a crush on Annabeth but who knows, he is a fictional character and we have never had his point of view.

In the Mark of Athena, the 8th book, we find that Annabeth thinks he may have had a crush on her when they were younger there is no explanation and she has not seen him in a long time.

The first 5 books are all written from Percy's point of view.  We read that Nico spends very little time with any demi-gods except Percy himself.  There is just one line when Nico agrees to do something (come to Camp Half Blood), he says to Annabeth, just for "You." It is a big leap to read more into that line, which could so easily mean many things or nothing much at all.

Throughout the books Nico has only been close to one person, Percy.  They have saved each others lives many times, been on missions together and plotted together.  Nico is genuinely distressed when Hades tricks Nico to capture Percy, torn between the two Nico chooses Percy.

Why a blog about Nico Di Angelo?

I have so much to say about The House of Hades and the development of the Nico character, so I have set up this blog to get it all out.

As you have found this page you are probably aware of the issue.  This is the ninth book in the best selling series read by young adults and children.  Readers will typically be around 10 or 11 years old or older.  The series is also popular among adults.

The controversy (if it exists at all) is that one of the central characters is gay, is this suitable for children's literature?  

I am delighted that the book has this story line and the great way it has been written and for any parents who may doubt whether it is suitable for 9 or 10 year old advanced readers, I can assure you it is perfectly suitable.  I am a mother of young children.

In future posts I aim to look at the character development in more detail, address some of the critics of the development and more.  Now I will end by pointing to the author's own comments on the Nico character development in this book.

Rick Riordan FAQ:  http://rickriordan.com/about-rick/faq.aspx