Say the Word

Say the Word

Authors

Jeannine Garsee

Publisher

Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publication Year

2011

ISBN

9781599903330

Pages

368 pages

Genre

realism

Format

novel

Item Type

Fiction

Annotation

Perfectionist Shawna dates the right boys, gets good grades, and follows her father's every rule. So when her estranged lesbian mother dies, Shawna needs to figure out how to have the perfect reaction. But anger from being abandoned ten years ago, combined with the introduction of her mother's other family, threatens to leave Shawna spinning out of control. A relatable and honest teen voice-and a shocking secret-make this novel a true page-turner.

Grade Level

9-12

Lexile Measure

HL580L

Diversity Topics

Family Relationships; LGBTQ (Gender and Sexuality); Divorce; Family member death; Single parent; Step parent; Legal guardianship; Family violence; Gay/Lesbian; divorced parents; death of a parent; death of a mother; single father; step mother; step brother; custody; spousal abuse; domestic abuse; verbal abuse; violent parent; rape; lesbian; lesbian mother; lesbian teenager; same-sex relationship

Main Character

female teenager

Race/Ethnicities

White

Family Formation

single father

LGBTQ+

lesbian females

Awards

Ohioana Book Awards, 2010, Finalist, Juvenile Literature
Booklist Book Review Stars, 2009
Rainbow List, 2010 Fiction
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2010

Keywords

perfectionism; secrets; abandonment; custody battle; civil rights; emotions; homophobia; friendship; sibling relationship

Diversity Impact

direct

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