 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The God Box
- By Alex Sanchez
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Gay Christian teen struggles with sexuality, religion.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book asks readers to consider whether a person can be both Christian and gay. There are some anti-gay slurs, and openly gay Manuel receives a threat; later, he is beaten severely. Paul makes out with his girlfriend and looks at both straight porn and gay porn to test his feelings. Paul and Manuel hold hands at the movies and later dance at a school dance.
What's the story?
Paul is a Christian teen growing up in a small Texas town. He has a longtime girlfriend -- but he also has homosexual feelings, feelings he tries hard to change. This gets more difficult to do when openly gay Manuel transfers to his school. Not only is Paul attracted to Manuel, he also is challenged by the new boy's ideas about Christianity -- especially his belief that it's OK to be both gay and Christian.
Is it any good?
The characters' back-and-forth analysis of Bible passages occasionally grows a bit tedious, but readers will be impressed with the amount of research Sanchez has done for his book about a Christian teen questioning his sexuality. Not only does the author provide some challenging interpretations of the Bible, he also gives his readers information about the controversial ex-gay movement and about the rights of students to start their own gay-straight alliances at school.
THE GOD BOX tends to be a bit more issue-oriented than character-oriented (once openly gay Manuel comes to school, it seems like sexuality is all anyone can talk about). Even so, readers will sympathize with confused Paul, who wants to do the right thing, if only he can figure out what that is. They will also appreciate his well-drawn family, which includes a wacky and very tolerant grandmother and a conservative father who has a surprising -- and moving -- moment of bravery. This book obviously takes a side in the central argument, but even readers who disagree with Paul's conclusions will find plenty to ponder.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about religion and sexuality. How do you feel about the topics addressed in the book? What do you think of that book's conclusions?
In recent years there have been a lot more books featuring gay characters. Is the same true for other forms of media, like TV, movies, or video games? What do you think of this trend? What sort of impact does it have on our culture?
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AGE
AWESOME book, read it and other Alex Sanchez books!!!
This book was amazing! It teaches so much about stuggles gay teens, and people in general, face. Alex Sanchez's writing is GREAT. if you enjoyed reading this or you are interested in the topic: homosexuality, and finding out who you are, read "Rainbow Boys" by Alex Sanchez, and the rests of the Rainbow series!
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Kid, 12 years old
February 16, 2009
AGE
One of the Best Books I've Read
Although this book has some 'liffy' parts I think it would be a fairly good book for all young men to read because it talks about whether or not a person can truly be both gay and Christian.
Things in the book which may not be appropriate for kids are:
A young man looks up pron on the internet(Both gay and straight). A young woman(mid-late teens) tries to part her boyfriend's hand up her shirt while they are kissing, but he stops her. And there is some anti-gay name calling.
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AGE
A great coming of age novel!
It's a great coming out book, it lets kids see the bible from a different interpretation and points out very clearly that you can be both christian and gay. This is a book I've put away until my kids (ages 2, 4, 8 and 9) are slightly older.
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| Author: | Alex Sanchez |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | October 9, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 224 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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