Teens, Parents, and Teachers Praise Innovative Four-Book Fiction Series—Erik & Isabelle at Foresthill High—for Positive and Uplifting Portrayal of Gay and Lesbian Youth
Cutting-edge book series about gay and lesbian teens highlights the lives of two best friends who navigate the waters of high school together. Teachers, parents, and students give high accolades to the realistic characters, setting, and plot lines of Erik & Isabelle at Foresthill High.
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) Aug. 12, 2005 -- Boys taking other boys to the prom?
Girls holding hands as they walk through school hallways? Students working
together in Gay-Straight Alliances to educate their communities or just enjoy a
good queer flick together? This is not your parents’ closet anymore! All across
America, a new breed of teenager is taking the world by storm—meet the out and
proud youth who are all about making a difference.
Readers, young and
old, have celebrated the first two books in the Erik & Isabelle at
Foresthill High series, likening it to a gay-themed Dawson’s Creek or Beverly
Hills 90210. Teachers have reported that even their most reluctant readers
surreptitiously continue to read the books even after silent reading time is
over. What is it about Erik & Isabelle that captures their audience with
such intensity?
One young man said, "It perfectly reflects what high
school is like for me. I’ve never read a book that I saw myself on the pages
before. I read it in three days and then started it over as soon as I finished."
Another reader wrote, "I loved the books because Isabelle is bold -- like me --
she isn’t afraid of what anybody thinks. Not every gay teen is depressed and
anxious. Thanks for making it realistic."
The first two releases, Erik
& Isabelle Freshman Year at Foresthill High (ISBN 0-9755848-0-4) and Erik
& Isabelle Sophomore Year at Foresthill (ISBN 0-9755848-1-2) revolve around
lifelong best friends who share the joy and agony of adolescence in Kim
Wallace’s groundbreaking four-book series. Conquering such issues as love
relationships, personal trials, and the desire to make their world a better
place, the protagonists sweep the reader up in their whirlwind journeys from
their freshman to senior year.
Ripe with the angst and comedy that
embody high school life, the teens of Foresthill High triumph with an optimism
and hope that resonates in young people everywhere. One teacher commented, "I
believe that the Erik & Isabelle series has the power to break through the
devastating isolation that can characterize the lives of gay teens with
compassion and warmth. Besides, I just couldn’t put it down."
The first
two books in the Erik & Isabelle series are available at independent
bookstores, Foglightpress.com, and Amazon.com. Junior Year at Foresthill High
will be released in spring 2006. Much to educators’ and book group leaders’
delight, veteran English teacher and author Kim Wallace has also written a
comprehensive 45-page curriculum guide to accompany her book series. Ms. Wallace
is available for appearances and presentations to groups of all sizes.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb271738.htm