Teen Fiction - Adventure & Survival, Teen Fiction - Boys & Young Men, Teen Fiction - Sexuality

Rainbow Road

Name: Rainbow Road
Author: Alex Sanchez
ISBN: 9781416911913

by Alex Sanchez

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Overview

Jason Carrillo came out to his basketball team senior year and lost his university scholarship. Now, with graduation behind him and summer ending, he's asked to speak at the opening of a gay and lesbian high school across the country. But after spending years in the closet and losing his scholarship dream, what message can he offer?

Kyle Meeks is getting ready to go to Princeton in the fall and trying to see as much as possible of his boyfriend Jason before they have to separate. When Jason tells him about his speaking invitation, Kyle jumps at the chance to drive across country with him. Yet he can't help worrying: Will their romance survive two weeks crammed together in a car?

Nelson Glassman is happy his best friend Kyle has found love with Jason. Now he's looking for his own true love -- and hopes he might find his soul mate during the road trip. But will being the "third wheel" in a trio ruin his friendships with Kyle and Jason?

During an eye-opening postgraduation summer road trip, each of the three very different boys also embarks on a personal journey across a landscape of love, sexuality, homophobia, and above all, friendship.

Synopsis

It's the end of the road....

Jason Carrillo came out to his basketball team and lost his university scholarship. Now that he's graduated, he's been asked to speak at the opening of a gay and lesbian high school across the country — but what is he going to say?

Kyle Meeks is getting ready to go to Princeton in the fall. When his boyfriend, Jason, mentions the speaking invitation, he jumps at the chance to go with him — but can their romance survive two weeks crammed together in a car?

Nelson Glassman is happy that his best friend, Kyle, has found love with Jason. Now he wants to find a soul mate of his own and is going to start looking during the road trip — but will being "third wheel" ruin his friendship with Kyle and Jason?

Publishers Weekly

Fresh from Rainbow High (PW wrote, "The author expertly mixes coming-out issues with the universal complications of first love in this novel that culminates in the boys' senior prom"), the trio anticipates a cross-country car trip in Rainbow Road by Alex Sanchez. Will Nelson feel like a third wheel with best friend Kyle and Kyle's partner, Jason? Or can he find his own partner on the journey? Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

About the Author, Alex Sanchez

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 www.AlexSanchez.com.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

KLIATT

Jason lost a basketball scholarship to college when he came out as gay in his senior year, but now he's been asked to be a speaker at the opening of a new gay/lesbian/transgender high school in LA, all the way across the country. Road trip! He and his boyfriend Kyle, along with Kyle's best friend Nelson, set out from Virginia and encounter a wide spectrum of the gay experience as they travel the US, from a gay sanctuary to a transgender boy who dresses as Britney Spears, gay bashers who chase them in a truck, and a committed gay couple celebrating their 20th year together. The three teenagers, just graduated from high school, discover a lot about themselves and each other in the course of the trip: smart, sensitive Kyle learns that his idol Jason is only human; Jason continues to feel attracted to girls as well as boys; and outrageous Nelson, who dyes his hair pink, finds love at long last. This sequel to Rainbow Boys and Rainbow High focuses on the emotional ups and downs of the boys' experiences as they explore their feelings for each other and feelings about being gay, as well as presenting a look at various aspects of gay life. There is some drinking, smoking reefers, and sex, though nothing X-rated. YAs who have been following the series will be delighted to read this conclusion to the adventures of this trio. While the writing is not especially polished, the characters are appealing, their feelings are realistically portrayed, and the tone is supportive and hopeful. This might be a controversial book in some libraries, but it will also be an important book for readers looking for a sympathetic and empathetic portrayal of gay teens. (Rainbow Trilogy). KLIATT Codes:SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2005, Simon & Schuster, 256p., Ages 15 to adult.
—Paula Rohrlick

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-The final installment of this trilogy is a true winner. Even though coming out publicly resulted in Virginia high school basketball star Jason Carrillo's losing his college athletic scholarship, it turned him into an important role model for gay and lesbian teens. And so, when a new GLBT high school in Los Angeles is searching for a keynote speaker for its opening ceremony, it is not surprising that Jason is given an all-expenses-paid invitation. His boyfriend, Kyle, definitely wants to be there, too. And Kyle's best friend-pink-haired, boy-hungry Nelson-has a car and thinks that this would be the perfect opportunity for a post-senior-year road trip. Virginia to L.A. by car: 3000 miles and plenty of time to gain an understanding of what being gay in America is all about. These boys are distinct personalities and genuine teens, searching for clarity and identity and acceptance, trying to make sense of themselves and a world that can be equally bright and dark. Sanchez writes with humor and compassion. Some mature romance scenes, occasional frank language, and an inclusion of transgender/transsexual/bisexual story lines translate into a tender book that will likely be appreciated and embraced by young adult readers.-Jeff Katz, Queens Borough Public Library, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

More soapy goodness from the rainbow boys from Rainbow High (2003). This time Kyle, Jason and Nelson go on a road trip together. Jason, whose coming out and subsequent loss of college scholarship drew national attention in the last episode, is asked to speak at the opening ceremonies of Harry Hay High School in Los Angeles. This necessitates a trip across the country. Jason is sort of bisexual, but he loves his less uptight and totally gay boyfriend Kyle. The two think the trip will be a perfect time for them to get in some alone time before Kyle heads off to college, but they need Nelson's (Kyle's pink-haired best friend) car. It turns out to be a three-man trip with many pitfalls. They encounter Radical Faeries, Britney Spears look-alike transgendered boys, Hetero-flexible girls, long-term committed homosexual couples . . . and a little homophobia as they travel from landmark to landmark across the country. There are more after-school-special moments here than in the previous volumes, but fans of the trilogy will adore this final installment. A little sex might make this a not-for-everyone experience, but it's a perfect feel-good read for gay teens. (Fiction. YA)