Helpful Score: 3
Beautiful story, that tells of two girls who face down parents, teachers, friends, and colleges to keep their love.
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of those rare books that I won't give up. It was extraordinarily meaningful to me at an important time in my life. If you're an adult (or a savvy teen) you'll know where the story is going before it gets there, but it doesn't matter. You'll still be drawn in. Just like real life.
Helpful Score: 2
Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Nancy Garden's ANNIE ON MY MIND, originally published in 1982, was recently re-released. (It includes an interview with the author herself.)
The book represents an early example of realistic young adult fiction depicting a lesbian relationship between two high school seniors. It is still a fitting portrayal for today's teens.
Liza and Annie meet in a New York museum and develop a fast friendship. Both seem to realize there is something different about their relationship, but admitting that at the start is difficult for both. The story is told as Annie remembers it, and focuses mostly on her struggle to accept the facts she is learning about herself.
The book's first half takes the reader into the growing friendship between the girls. There is considerable time spent describing how they discover their common interests and the activities they find to spend time together. The girls come from different backgrounds - Liza attends a relatively sheltered, private school currently struggling with financial difficulties, while Annie attends public school and is faced with drugs, violence, and other social problems public schools must deal with both then and now.
As the girls' relationship develops, the plot becomes more involved in Liza's role as student council president and her school's struggle with a fund-raising campaign. Liza and Annie begin to accept the true direction of their friendship, and of course, as other people become aware, controversy surfaces. Will the admission of their gay lifestyle cause acceptance or abandonment by family and friends? Could their situation adversely affect a similar relationship between two teachers in Liza's private school?
ANNIE ON MY MIND delves into the acceptance of homosexuality. It seems there will always be two sides to this controversy, but the re-release of the book may ask readers to decide if things are changing as time passes. What really matters in love - what is "right" for those involved or what is perceived as "right" by those whose views may differ?
Nancy Garden's ANNIE ON MY MIND, originally published in 1982, was recently re-released. (It includes an interview with the author herself.)
The book represents an early example of realistic young adult fiction depicting a lesbian relationship between two high school seniors. It is still a fitting portrayal for today's teens.
Liza and Annie meet in a New York museum and develop a fast friendship. Both seem to realize there is something different about their relationship, but admitting that at the start is difficult for both. The story is told as Annie remembers it, and focuses mostly on her struggle to accept the facts she is learning about herself.
The book's first half takes the reader into the growing friendship between the girls. There is considerable time spent describing how they discover their common interests and the activities they find to spend time together. The girls come from different backgrounds - Liza attends a relatively sheltered, private school currently struggling with financial difficulties, while Annie attends public school and is faced with drugs, violence, and other social problems public schools must deal with both then and now.
As the girls' relationship develops, the plot becomes more involved in Liza's role as student council president and her school's struggle with a fund-raising campaign. Liza and Annie begin to accept the true direction of their friendship, and of course, as other people become aware, controversy surfaces. Will the admission of their gay lifestyle cause acceptance or abandonment by family and friends? Could their situation adversely affect a similar relationship between two teachers in Liza's private school?
ANNIE ON MY MIND delves into the acceptance of homosexuality. It seems there will always be two sides to this controversy, but the re-release of the book may ask readers to decide if things are changing as time passes. What really matters in love - what is "right" for those involved or what is perceived as "right" by those whose views may differ?
Helpful Score: 2
I had to wait quite a while to get to read this book, and after so long I thought I'd be a little disappointed in it, but I wasn't at all. It's a very well-written and beautiful book.
Helpful Score: 1
Older book, but still can be applied to today's society. This is about 2 high school girls who fall in love and have to deal with their sexuality under the scrutiny of their parents, their teachers, and their peers.
Helpful Score: 1
This is such a sweet story, very good read :)
I read this book as part of Banned Book Week. Annie On My Mind is a sweet coming of age romance between two young women in New York in the 1980's. Liza goes to a private school and meets the free spirited Annie at a museum. The girl's form an instant friendship that turns into love. While Annie has suspected her attraction to women, all this is new for Liza. The two must deal with their new feelings as well as face the judgement of family, friends and Liza's school.
i loved this book. The writing left a little to be desired, but all in all the book was touching and simple. But the feelings of the two female characters were strong and I found myself feeling a little sad that the book was so small! the only thing i would like to say was i felt that the book should have been a few hundred pages longer. Give the girls alot more to think about etc, maybe more background on the characters and overall development.
but it is a heartfelt coming-of age tale that is not mundane or normal. . It is unique and a beautifull story
i give this book
4.5 stars out of 5
but it is a heartfelt coming-of age tale that is not mundane or normal. . It is unique and a beautifull story
i give this book
4.5 stars out of 5
Great book. I loved the characters and the message about how difficult it is to be a gay/lesbian/transexual in this society. Even if you aren't gay, you will love the touching message.
Although this book was written awhile ago, I think it will still resonate with teens and young adults today. It emphasizes the emotional connection that occurs in a relationship, and the pull of those emotions and need to physically be close to that person. I strongly recommend it for anyone who is struggling with coming out, or who has a family member or friend coming out who is trying to understand what they are going through.
