The Difference Between You and Me

The Difference Between You and Me
George, Madeleine, Release date: March 15, 2012.
The Difference Between You and Me.
New York: Viking Juvenile.
256 pages, hardcover.

ISBN 9780670011285.

Format: Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)
Rating: 4.5/5.0 stars

Plot Summary
This is a two-voices novel. The first voice: Jesse is an openly gay high school student, who wears fisherman's boots, cut her hair with a Swiss army knife, is rebellious for a cause, and a romantic at heart who is head over heels in love. The second voice: Emily is an all-American girl striving to do it all and be all, with a long-time boyfriend, and goals of saving the world, one public good deed at a time, who sets up events like gay rights day, yet doesn't feel it is necessary to attend the actual event.

Every Tuesday afternoon, Jesse and Emily meet in the upstairs bathroom of the public library where Emily volunteers -- for some kissing and other getting-to-know each other moments, the only time they actually spend together.

As an activist, Jesse stands out in the open about who she is and what she believes in. Emily would prefer to keep things, including their relationship, more private. When Emily pursues fundraising for their school events and finds herself in an internship supporting a giant corporation, she and Jesse find themselves on opposite sides of the issue of corporate sponsorships in education, and each must decide what is most important.

Critical Evaluation
George is brilliant in the way she presents both of the main characters: Jesse and Emily, and how so very different from each other they really are. She has crafted a believable persona for each, allowing the reader to discover their true identity without any bias reflected in the tone of the writing.

At the same time, George shares a very funny story about these two teen girls who are equally passionate about changing the world, but each takes an incredibly different approach. This allows readers to connect with either Jesse or Emily, and in some ways, even both girls throughout the book.

As readers get to know both Jesse and Emily, they can predict how this relationship will progress. Some readers might become frustrated by how much Jesse can ignore in order to maintain this relationship, and how little Emily seems to really understand who Jesse is – though should be satisfied with the progression of the story and its ending.

Reader’s Annotation
Two teen girls: Jesse and Emily, who have absolutely nothing in common, except for an undeniable passion that plays out in the upstairs bathroom at the local library each Tuesday. As Jesse and Emily get to know each other, each is exposed to the reality of how different they truly are.

Information About the Author
Madeleine George grew up in Massachusetts and is a playwright, fiction writer, and teacher who lives in New York. She taught writing at many places including New York University, Bard College, Barnard College, SUNY, University of Rochester, a number of NY public schools, as well as various correctional and alternative facilities. When not writing, she is the site director of a college writing program at a Manhattan women's prison (George, 2011).

In addition to The Difference Between You and Me, she published Looks in 2008, and The Zero Hour in 2011. Madeleine is an extremely shy author who will be on book tour with her writer friend, Carley Moore - as they both promote their new YA fiction novels (Brechner, 2011).

Genre:

Fiction: Contemporary – sexual identity

Read-Alikes

Keeping You a Secret - Julie Anne Peters

Boyfriends with Girlfriends - Alex Sanchez

Curriculum Ties
The Difference Between You and Me ties to both health promotion and the risks to your well being associated with trying to be someone you aren't, as well as the complexity of sexual relationships.

Booktalking Ideas
1) two voices: first, bio of rubber-boot wearing obsessed Jesse then bio of perky, popular, perfect-blonde-ponytail swinging Emily

2) bathroom scene where Jesse is observing Emily, nearly obsessed with everything about her, as Emily and her friends prepare for the pep rally

Book Trailer Links
N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 14 and up / YA

Challenge Issues
coming of age, political activism, sexuality identity, lesbian relations, bi-sexual relations

First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as teens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district’s policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district’s philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.

Awards
N/A

Why Title Included & Selection Tools
Some of our teens struggle with sexual identity -- and living in rural areas somehow makes it that much more challenging for them to learn about, identify with, and be accepted for it. Providing these types of reading materials, to serve ALL of my patrons is critical.

Also, both Madeleine George and Carley Moore will be visiting our area in April, hosting many local girls' book club groups from grades 7 and up for in-depth discussions on topics important to them -- while sharing their new novels.