Hard Love

Whittlinger,Ellen.Hard Love.

Simon Pulse 2001

Annotation: John Lives with his mother and sees his father occasionally on the weekend. He has one Friend and is trying to find out where he fits in. Soon discovers a zine and is not only inspired to write his own but, to meet the writer of his favorite zine. This takes John from sarcastic and aloof to discovering love for the first time , even if it hurts.

Defence of Nomination:

This story brings a deep resonance with both teens and adults. It is peppered with many of the themes that growing up is made of. Not only does John find love for the first time but he is able to understand his parents in the process. Initially john is a cynical kid that does not know where he is in life and doesn't care. He does not care if he has a romantic interest and is happy with his one friend. Through the Zine, that he creates, he pours out his feelings about his poor relationship with his father, the fact that his mother will not make physical contact with him and the coming of his new step father.

Soon He meets Marisol, a young lesbian that is looking for "escape velocity". The odd paring leaves John is love. It is a love that he will never actually have and that helps him to realize what the grown ups in his life are going through as well. This novel lays out the stuff of growing up in a way that adults and teens can relate two in an eloquent way. I would definitely recommend it.