The Final Installment

Less than one month to go before I get my hands on the final book in the series, The Blood of Olympus. I still recall reading the very first Percy Jackson book and I do hope there will be more.

The books have fueled my interest in Greek Mythology, which is still relevant and influential today.  I can most highly recommend the book Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, it was as good and as funny as the other books by Rick Riordan.

James Howe and the 4 Misfits Books

At last another book in the series from James Howe.

My 12 year old son greatly enjoyed the Misfits (as did I).  Interestingly he doesn't identify with their group - he's quite popular and e goes to a selective school - so all the kids are bright.  He has just read Totally Joe and is about to start on Addie on the Inside.  Several times he has asked me if there is or will be a book from Skeezies point of view.
And now there is.

Personally I was Addie when I was at school so I know how well her character was written.

Also Know As Elvis by James Howe was published recently but I've not read it yet.
http://parents.simonandschuster.com/9781442445109

Alec & Magnus Bane a gay love story within main stream Young Adult Fiction

I have been enjoying the Immortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare (but I might not admit it to anyone I wanted to impress).

In my honest opinion this is romantic trash fiction for teenagers (age 14+) and no where near as good as the Percy Jackson books — but books do not have to be that good to still be enjoyable. I am enjoying the writing of Ms Clare but it is a bit too racy and too romantic for younger readers.

I wanted to tell readers of this blog that gay/bi sexuality is really marvellously handled in these novels, it is all just normal, as it should be.  Alec is scared of coming out, which is understandable.  There is homophobia is the world but such views are held by the minority.

If you want to tuck into a series similar to the Percy Jackson books with a gay story thread throughout then I would recommend the Immortal Instruments, starting with City of Bones.

I was delighted to find online that the author has a treat for fans of Magnus & Alec, their first kiss.  It would have taken place within the City of Bones (book 1) story but it is not in that book, you can read it on her website here:
http://www.cassandraclare.com/my-writing/excerpts-extras/kissed/

By the way, there are a series of films based on the books, I've not seen the films so can't comment on those.

A good source for "gay-friendly" children's books

I just discovered that the British website of the campaigning organisation Stonewall has an excellent comprehensive list of books to recommend for all ages.
Type books into the search box of the home page.
http://www.stonewall.org.uk/what_we_do/at_school/3730.asp

Some of the books for younger children are not about sexuality as such but celebrate diversity.

And
This article lists a load of new books that I've not seen:
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/may/15/top-ten-lgbt-books-for-pre-teens-susie-day

Counting down the months unitl the next installment

Just over six months to go until we read the final book in this series - I have days blanked out in my diary so I can sit and enjoy the book and then engage online with people who want to discuss it. I hope the author will eventually write more as we love these characters and they are still so young. I am, however, also looking forward to meeting the new characters in his new books about Norse mythology. I am hoping for gay/bi characters to be written in the same way as Nico was developed: I have been reading many other styles and genres lately. I am a gown-up of course, so I have been reading grown up books too. I have come across nothing new that I could recommend to readers of this blog though I feel sure writers out there somewhere must be inspired and encouraged by House of Hades.

Gay teenagers Know or Suspect by the time they are 13

It is important that gay characters show up in modern literature for kids because kids themselves are aware of sexuality and recent research supports what many already were saying: Most kids know they are gay or are questioning their sexuality by the time they enter the teenage years. Unfortunately, the research also shows what a difficult time kids have: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/mental-health-crisis-looms-for-gay-teenagers-9053688.html

Banned Books & Gay Characters

I've been reading some books for older people just lately (perhaps more my own age) but on my list of books to read soon I am including something by Tim Federle after reading his interesting article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-federle/book-for-kids-raises-eyebrows-over-young-gay-character_b_3976264.html Tim Federle has written Better Nate than Ever. Now I like musicals as much as the next woman, and I grew up with them as people my age did (there was only 3 TV channels and two of them were probably showing sport of war films so I call that no choice). Books about people who love musicals would not be my first choice but I'll give this a go.