3 - Totally Joe by James Howe

This is another book I picked up last Friday from the library. It didn't take me too long to read it, although I think I might've read Another Kind of Cowboy a bit faster.

It's organized as an alphabiography, a school assignment in which Joe has to write a chapter of his autobiography for each letter. In the story, Joe is gay and very comfortable with who he is (although his coming-out scene is kind of cute). However, he is learning to let other people be who they are instead of expecting the same level of self-awareness and comfort from them! It's a very touching story and a good example of how kids can do great things given the opportunity. I also like that Joe seems to like boys, but isn't interested in kissing or being very sexual, since he is only in the seventh grade. I think that's very realistic and healthy.

I was very excited to learn that James Howe, one of my favorite childhood authors, is gay. It's good that kids have such outstanding role models to look up to.