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Overview
Rainbow Parties. Are they real? Who's going?
GIN and SANDY
One's been with all the guys, one's terrified of them.
It's Gin's party; she invited everyone.
ALLISON
President of the Celibacy Club. What's she thinkin'?
HUNTER and PERRY
Friends...with benefits.
JADE
Hanging on to it for the right guy.
SKYE and ROD
Totally doing it, totally curious.
VI
Skye's BF who has it for Rod. The party could change everything.
RUSTY and BRICK
One thinks he's a playah. One's built like it. Neither's getting any.
ASH and ROSE
The class couple, not ready yet. So why are they going?
Would you?
Rainbow Party is a cautionary tale about a group of teens faced with the prospect of attending a party involving oral sex. The novel spotlights each of their diverse viewpoints in the hours leading up to the party. It explores what each teen has -- and has not -- been up to sexually, and why. And ultimately, why they would consider going to a party like this in the first place.
This book addresses important and timeless issues relevant to teens, including self-esteem, peer pressure, awareness about STD protection, and making an informed and educated decision about readiness for sexual activity. It was inspired by numerous news reports about the prevalence and attitudes among teens towards certain types of sexual behavior, and is intended to engage readers in this real-life issue in a responsible and constructive fashion.
Synopsis
GIN and SANDY
One's been with all the guys, one's terrified of them.
It's Gin's party; she invited everyone.
ALLISON
President of the Celibacy Club. What's she thinkin'?
HUNTER and PERRY
Friends...with benefits.
JADE
Hanging on to it for the right guy.
SKYE and ROD
Totally doing it, totally curious.
VI
Skye's BF who has it for Rod. The party could change everything.
RUSTY and BRICK
One thinks he's a playah. One's built like it. Neither's getting any.
ASH and ROSE
The class couple, not ready yet. So why are they going?
Would you?
Rainbow Party is a cautionary tale about a group of teens faced with theprospect of attending a party involving oral sex. The novel spotlightseach of their diverse viewpoints in the hours leading up to the party.It explores what each teen has — and has not — been up to sexually,and why. And ultimately, why they would consider going to a party likethis in the first place.
This book addresses important and timeless issues relevant to teens, including self-esteem, peer pressure, awareness about STD protection, and making an informed and educated decision about readiness for sexual activity. It was inspired by numerous news reports about the prevalence and attitudes among teens towards certain types of sexual behavior, and is intended to engage readers in this real-life issue in a responsible and constructive fashion.
Publishers Weekly
Promiscuous sophomore Gin is throwing a "Rainbow Party," at which girls "put on a different color lipstick, and the guys all drop their pants." In theory, after the girls perform oral sex on the boys, they would be left with rainbows around their penises. The author takes the perspective of Gin and her invitees in the hours before her after-school party. They all have reasons for going (Sandy hopes to find love, virgin Brick is being pressured by his friend to gain sexual experience, and there are rumors that Perry is gay)-and their own anxieties, too. This debut novel takes a steamy premise, and adds in plenty of racy material, too, including oral sex between two boys in a school bathroom, but while the author makes a compelling argument against abstinence-only education and also against limited definitions of sex, readers may tire of the standard-issue characters. They may also start to cringe every time a character talks about oral sex not really being sex. There is some important information to be gleaned here (Gin and Perry have mysterious sore throats, and Hunter notices a "burning sensation" when he urinates; later they learn of a gonorrhea outbreak among the sophomore class), but in the end, the story here is not as compelling as its premise. Ages 14-up. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Promiscuous sophomore Gin is throwing a "Rainbow Party," at which girls "put on a different color lipstick, and the guys all drop their pants." In theory, after the girls perform oral sex on the boys, they would be left with rainbows around their penises. The author takes the perspective of Gin and her invitees in the hours before her after-school party. They all have reasons for going (Sandy hopes to find love, virgin Brick is being pressured by his friend to gain sexual experience, and there are rumors that Perry is gay)-and their own anxieties, too. This debut novel takes a steamy premise, and adds in plenty of racy material, too, including oral sex between two boys in a school bathroom, but while the author makes a compelling argument against abstinence-only education and also against limited definitions of sex, readers may tire of the standard-issue characters. They may also start to cringe every time a character talks about oral sex not really being sex. There is some important information to be gleaned here (Gin and Perry have mysterious sore throats, and Hunter notices a "burning sensation" when he urinates; later they learn of a gonorrhea outbreak among the sophomore class), but in the end, the story here is not as compelling as its premise. Ages 14-up. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.VOYA
Tenth grader Ginger has hooked up with most of the boys in her class, although she is quick to point out that she is still technically a virgin. She invites a select group of classmates to a Rainbow Party. The premise is that each girl wears a different color of lipstick, gives each boy oral sex, and the boys strive to collect the rainbow of colors by party's end. Most of the story takes place in the two hours leading up to the event, following the characters as they try to decide how they feel about it. Despite the big setup, almost everyone backs out of the party at the last minute. In the weeks that follow, however, thirty-nine sophomores end up with gonorrhea, proving that these sophisticated teens do not need a party to help them instigate sex. This fresh, honest novel breaks free from stereotypes. Here both boys and girls are hesitant and demanding, sensitive and crass, in equal turns. Their actions always have consequences, but Ruditis avoids moralizing. The story also effectively examines the psychology involved in making sexual decisions, whether it is choosing abstinence, being monogamous, or sleeping around. With its large cast of characters, there is a perspective for everyone. Sure to be one of the most controversial books of the year, the obvious graphic content makes this novel best suited for older readers. The eye-catching cover and intriguing summary on the back will make this book fly off the shelves. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P S (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Simon Pulse/S & S, 256p., Trade pb. Ages 15 to 18.—Amanda MacGregor