Boy Like Me
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4.8 • 4 Ratings
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- £5.49
Publisher Description
In the margins of a book's pages, sparks fly as a teenage romance begins. But in this time and place, sparks like these can only ignite trouble.
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It's 1994 and thanks to Section 28, there can be no mention of gay relationships in UK schools. When a kind librarian leads Jamie to a disguised novel in the library that reflects his own confused feelings towards boys, Jamie sees that he's not the only one who has checked the book out. Will Jamie and this mystery boy have the courage to meet - and if they do, what will it take to hold on to each other?
* A timely - and timeless - story of forbidden love by one of the UK's most beloved authors of teen LGBTQ+ fiction
* Filled with Simon James Green's distinctive brand of humour making this an important but also very enjoyable read!
* Perfect for fans of books such as They Both Die At the End, Afterlove and Young Mungo, as well as dramas like It's a Sin, Close, and Blue Jean.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Section 28—a law which prohibited the "promotion of homosexuality"—was still in effect in this poignant 1994 Lincolnshire, England–set queer romance by Green (Heartbreak Boys). When sensitive and intelligent 16-year-old Jamie Hampton reluctantly takes his school librarian's suggestion to read Wildflowers of Great Britain, he never anticipated that it would be a "love story about two teenage boys." Moreover, another boy has anonymously written, "I feel like this too" in the margin, prompting Jamie to respond to this kindred spirit. As the teens communicate via the book, Jamie determines to meet his secret pen pal. He soon learns that his mystery correspondent is Rob West, the son of a homophobic politician. After the "illegal" work is discovered, Jamie and Rob attempt to "vanish the book" and protect themselves. Though their actions get them suspended—and likely outed—the pair combat the hatred they witness with their burgeoning feelings. Jamie's chatty narration—he peppers the story with amusing footnotes—and the protagonists' bravery in taking risks to "speak the truth and fight for love" boost this affirming teen romance about "being who you want." Characters cue as white. Ages 12–up.
Customer Reviews
A Blast From The Past
Having grown-up in the 80s and 90s, during Section 28, this story definitely brought back a lot of painful memories. This story gets so much right and should be read by any young people discovering they’re gay for the first time. The struggles of the past may still continue in some small way, but they’re nothing like how they used to be. The hate, bigotry and government-endorsed homophobia was real and stories like this should serve as a horrifying, yet uplifting, reminder of how things should never get that bad again.