M or F?

December 5, 2005
The authors create a modern Cyrano de Bergerac story that is both funny and touching. Frannie is nervous about chatting online with her high school crush, so her "queer guy brain twin," Marcus, takes over the typing. Pretty soon, he's chatting with Jeffrey often, pretending to be Frannie—even without her permission—and it's clear he's "falling for" him. Of course, she ultimately finds out, and this leads to a big fight. But Frannie and Marcus then wonder: could Jeffrey be gay, too? Told from the friends' alternating perspectives, with plenty of online chats throughout, readers will like both of the flawed, funny protagonists, and appreciate their tight bond (they finish sentences for each other and spend Saturday nights watching offbeat movies together). Some of the characters, such as Marcus's eccentric Southern grandmother, are scripted, and up-tight activist Jeffrey may not seem worth the fuss (though it eventually becomes clear why). But the authors craftily keep readers guessing: is Jeffrey or isn't he? From the beginning, Marcus tells readers that this story would make a great film, and the conclusion, much like a typical teen movie, ramps up, then wraps a bit neatly. Even so, readers will likely laugh out loud and applaud. Ages 12-up.

January 1, 2006
Gr 8 Up -The moment flamboyant Marcus meets fashion-forward Frannie, they become -brain twins. - They do everything together, even chat online with Frannie's crush, Jeffrey. However, Marcus crosses the line when he pretends to be Frannie, chats with Jeffrey on his own -and falls head over heals. Poor Jeffrey remains a cardboard character, but Marcus and Frannie are well drawn, and the story is engaging and fun. Most teen fiction with gay characters tends toward heavy, issue-driven stories. This is one of a new crop in which gay teens are depicted as regular high school students -no deep delving into coming out or what it means to be gay in a high school. David Levithan's "Boy Meets Boy" (Knopf, 2003) is far more creative, but this is a solid second." -Morgan Johnson-Doyle, Sierra High School, Colorado Springs, CO"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2005
Gr. 9-12. Marcus and Frannie are "brain twins," best friends each looking for romance. Frannie thinks she has found just the person in Jeff, but she's much too shy and insecure to send him an e-mail. Marcus, on the other hand, has no problem finding the right words to keep Jeff interested, which he discovers when he impersonates Frannie. This is a creative, funny romance, written with style and sophistication. Marcus is gay, but Frannie is more nonchalant about his orientation than he is. Frannie is straight, but Marcus can better mimic the chat conversations that will intrigue the opposite sex. It's a classic tale of mistaken identity and inaccurate assumptions, filled with twists of plot that will tantalize and please teen readers. The general acceptance of Marcus' gayness within the high school and parent community is a refreshing example for YA readers, and it also sets a high bar for future teen novels featuring gay characters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2006
Best friends Marcus and Frannie are generally both too shy to pursue the boys they like. When Frannie desperately wants Jeffrey's attention, she decides to employ Marcus's help. Marcus impersonates Frannie online, finds himself falling for Jeffrey, and suspects the feeling may be mutual. Comedic cases of mistaken identity follow in this well-written novel.

(Copyright 2006 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)