Genre: Modern Realistic Fiction (sexual orientation, love)
Subjects: Young Adult Fiction - love and romance, LGBTQ, teenage girls, homosexuality, dating and sex, social issues
Audience: age 14 & up
Summary: Liza is a senior in high school, President of the Student Council at Foster Academy, and aspires to become an architect. She meets Annie at a museum while working on a project and is instantly drawn to her charismatic ways. Their friendship grows into something more and Liza begins to wonder if she could be in love with Annie. It is a confusing time for Liza and the more time she spends with Annie, the more she wants to be with her. At Spring Break, Liza takes care of her teachers' cats and house while they are away. Annie holds her and they pretend that it is their house and become intimate. They are discovered by a fellow student and Liza is taken before the school council for what is seen as immoral behavior. What is even worse is that the school discovers that the teachers whose home they were in are homosexual and they are also brought up on disciplinary charges. Liza doesn't know how to continue her relationship with Annie as they go their separate ways to summer camp and college. Liza is cleared of guilt by the council, but the teachers are fired. She is pressured by the expectations of her family, friends, and society. Throughout the book, Liza struggles to deal with what has happened and write a letter to Annie who has been writing to her for months. After she writes down her feeling, she makes the decision to continue to love Annie and calls her. Garden has created a love story that encourages teens to be true to themselves in a positive way.
Awards:
Margaret A. Edwards Award 2003
Teaching Resources:
Author's Website
Interview with Nancy Garden
Book Trailer
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