RAINBOW HIGH

Kyle, Jason, and Nelson from Rainbow Boys (2001) return to continue their Dawson’s-Creek-with-extra-gay-boys soap opera and finish out their senior year. Kyle wrestles with his decision over which college to attend and faces homophobia from his swim team. Jason comes out to his basketball teammates and deals with becoming a role model when he draws media attention. Nelson has to have an HIV test after finding out his first sexual experience might have infected him. Since he tests negative, he must then decide whether he can date someone who is positive. All three boys have some trouble and some support at home. The end of the school year and the prom help tie things up neatly. The issues come fast and furious, but they’re handled well and are intrinsic to the story and characters. Fans of the first book will enjoy this second helping of sometimes-melodramatic soapy goodness. However, if your budget will only support the purchase of one gay-themed novel this year, David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy (p. 1075) is superior in many ways. Includes a list of advocacy groups and help lines. (Fiction. YA)