brandysith's review against another edition
4.0
There were things I loved about this book, and then things that I didn't care for (but that mostly revolved around under developed secondary characters, and pace and voice), but I decided to give the book a four star rating because at the core of it, it really made me think, as well as touch me.
Overall, the writing was kind of slack, nothing real special about it, but I could completely relate to the story. I went to high school in a rural area, and a very closed-minded one at that. While I was in school there were only three openly gay students, and some of us tried to start a GSA club, which was approved by administration, but other students tried to block it, citing it was against their religion. And that hurt me. Because, I'm a Christian, but I don't believe being gay is wrong; you're born that way.
I loved Manuel and how he always fought the bigotry and narrow-mindedness with actual quotes from scripture. Not very often you see in the media (books, film, or television) where a character is both gay, and Christian, because I know there are many gay Christians in this country. I was also very happy that Angie and Dakota were the head starters behind the GSA, and how open and loving they were to Manuel, as well as Paul.
I knew people in high school who were like Cliff and Elizabeth, so narrow minded when it came to the subject of homosexuality that they seemed to be missing the complete point of God and Jesus, and would never ever consider looking at scripture in a different light, other than what is actually on the paper. If you believed differently, then you were wrong. I knew a girl in school when she found out that one of our friends was gay, she started crying because she thought he was going to Hell.
There are a lot elements that I was glad were brought into the story, like the Pastor (who disgusted me) and the whole ex-gay crusade which is sadly going strong today. I loved Abuela, everything about her. And I loved that Paul's father was accepting.
There were some plot points that were kind of trite and predictable, and the writing wasn't that strong, but I couldn't but down the book. It touched me on a very personal level and I think all teenagers who are conflicted about their faith and sexuality should read this book.
Overall, the writing was kind of slack, nothing real special about it, but I could completely relate to the story. I went to high school in a rural area, and a very closed-minded one at that. While I was in school there were only three openly gay students, and some of us tried to start a GSA club, which was approved by administration, but other students tried to block it, citing it was against their religion. And that hurt me. Because, I'm a Christian, but I don't believe being gay is wrong; you're born that way.
I loved Manuel and how he always fought the bigotry and narrow-mindedness with actual quotes from scripture. Not very often you see in the media (books, film, or television) where a character is both gay, and Christian, because I know there are many gay Christians in this country. I was also very happy that Angie and Dakota were the head starters behind the GSA, and how open and loving they were to Manuel, as well as Paul.
I knew people in high school who were like Cliff and Elizabeth, so narrow minded when it came to the subject of homosexuality that they seemed to be missing the complete point of God and Jesus, and would never ever consider looking at scripture in a different light, other than what is actually on the paper. If you believed differently, then you were wrong. I knew a girl in school when she found out that one of our friends was gay, she started crying because she thought he was going to Hell.
There are a lot elements that I was glad were brought into the story, like the Pastor (who disgusted me) and the whole ex-gay crusade which is sadly going strong today. I loved Abuela, everything about her. And I loved that Paul's father was accepting.
There were some plot points that were kind of trite and predictable, and the writing wasn't that strong, but I couldn't but down the book. It touched me on a very personal level and I think all teenagers who are conflicted about their faith and sexuality should read this book.
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
i grew up in a conservative christian church, so i enjoyed reading the author's interpretation of biblical texts often used to condemn homosexuality. and i think there is an important audience that needs writing like this to help them accept themselves. for me, though, it seemed pretty didactic. and the hypocritical high school students shooting bible verses back and forth at each other reminded me too much of my own (horrible) high school for me to really enjoy it.
ssjonoyoung's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
So much better than his other one. It was kind of extremely but still wonderful. Manuel is like actually the best character in the whole thing let's be real like sassy and smart and just plain slaying all the antigay. Paul was a really complex character I thought he struggled so much and I think it was wonderful how he really found himself. Angie and Dakota as supporting characters were solid but not as much as Abuelita? I hope I'm spelling that right. She was just absolutely hilarious.
Overall a beautiful gradual relationship, very flirty and slowly so much more. And funny, I laughed a lot.
So much better than his other one. It was kind of extremely but still wonderful. Manuel is like actually the best character in the whole thing let's be real like sassy and smart and just plain slaying all the antigay. Paul was a really complex character I thought he struggled so much and I think it was wonderful how he really found himself. Angie and Dakota as supporting characters were solid but not as much as Abuelita? I hope I'm spelling that right. She was just absolutely hilarious.
Overall a beautiful gradual relationship, very flirty and slowly so much more. And funny, I laughed a lot.
itsmytuberculosis's review against another edition
3.0
This book was actually recommended to me by someone who saw my review for Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruits. I think this book was much better at dealing with the schism between the LGBT community and religion. As someone who id both, its wonderful to see the arguments laid out by such honest characters who have their own faults but who also are very human and caring as opposed to just painting everyone the same.
penguinman's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved the book. Still relevant and helpful in 2023. Shocked this is still the only gay, or LGBT at all, Christian YA novel.
sde's review against another edition
4.0
Typical YA realistic fiction. I was impressed with the author's knowledge of scripture and how the characters seriously considered what the Bible is really saying about homosexuality. I think this would be a reassuring book to kids who are Christian and gay (or who have gay friends or family members.) I like how many of the characters struggled with their beliefs, as is typical of most people this age.
Manuel, the new kid in town, was a little too perfect. Who wouldn't fall in love with him, gay or straight? Also, I think the fact that everyone knew Paul/Pablo was gay, including his grandmother, before he did was a bit farfetched. Usually these things are a lot more complicated, especially during adolescence, and not as black and white as the book made out.
Probably a safe book for school libraries, as there is little profanity and no sex beyond a very brief, non-explicit mention of internet porn.
Manuel, the new kid in town, was a little too perfect. Who wouldn't fall in love with him, gay or straight? Also, I think the fact that everyone knew Paul/Pablo was gay, including his grandmother, before he did was a bit farfetched. Usually these things are a lot more complicated, especially during adolescence, and not as black and white as the book made out.
Probably a safe book for school libraries, as there is little profanity and no sex beyond a very brief, non-explicit mention of internet porn.
naomi41's review against another edition
2.0
If you read Rainbow Boys or any other book in the series, then I think you would know what the main points of this book is. The God Box, written by Alex Sanchez challenges the theme that homosexuality and religion are not supposed to go against each other. The new kid Manuel, who is a devout christian as well as an openly gay teen, comes to this new school and changes the points of views about being gay, homophobia and whether or not it is a sin against God and the bible. He also helps the protagonist Paul accept himself as a homosexual and question the theories that have been passed down for thousands of years about whether or not God accepts them. It's a good book to read, not my favorite but its a good book.
ettegoom's review against another edition
2.0
Deals really clearly with a lot of the arguments against homosexuality that are expressed by many of the more vocal religious groups in a way that is accessible to young Christians who are questioning their sexuality.
It's not the most brilliantly written book, but it does explore the struggle in a clear, thoughtful way and is definitely worth reading.
It's not the most brilliantly written book, but it does explore the struggle in a clear, thoughtful way and is definitely worth reading.
culbs1138's review against another edition
5.0
This book is excellent for any young person (or even some of us who aren't so young) who is trying to reconcile their sexual and spiritual identities. This book helped me tremendously in my own journey to understanding and acceptance.