Growing Up Gay -Op/77

Diversity is the central theme of this eclectic anthology, which takes a giant step forward in addressing lesbian and gay teens, a group often overlooked in YA literature. Presented in sections on self-discovery, friends, family and ``facing the world,'' this empowering collection of stories, poems, interviews, essays and excerpts from novels takes a healthy overview of gay writing. Equally balanced between male and female voices, its 56 entries represent a well-rounded and refreshing mix of viewpoints, ages and races. Coming out is, naturally, a frequent topic, but some of the most affecting pieces are those that recall the pains of adolescence and the struggles to understand a world that offers little affirmation. Not only does this anthology allow teens to see gay people's lives reflected in a rich variety of literature (from the novels of James Baldwin, Rita Mae Brown and Jeanette Winterson, to the resounding voices of poets Essex Hemphill, Dennis Cooper and Pat Parker), but it also reminds readers that the desires, fears and dreams of gay teens are not so different from those of their straight counterparts. A bibliography and an extensive resource directory are appended. Ages 13-up. (Nov.)