Rainbow Boys (Rainbow Trilogy, #1)

by Alex Sanchez

A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)

Navigating through an intolerant world and their own insecurities, three teenage boys find each other and the confidence to come out of the closet.

Three teenage boys, coming of age and out of the closet. Jason Carrillo is a jock with a steady girlfriend, but he can't stop dreaming about sex...with other guys. Kyle Meeks doesn't look gay, but he is. And he hopes he never has to tell anyone—especially his parents. Nelson Glassman is "out" to the entire world, but he can't tell the boy he loves that he wants to be more than just friends...

In a revealing debut novel that percolates with passion and wit, Alex Sanchez follows these very different high-school seniors as their struggles with sexuality and intolerance draw them into a triangle of love, betrayal, and ultimately, friendship.

• ISBN10: 0689857705
• ISBN13: 9780689857706
• Publish Date: 1 May 2003 (first published 31 October 2001)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 272
• Language: English

Reviews

[layawaydragon]

TW: Use of slurs, homophobia, biphobia/bi-erasure, domestic violence, hate crimes, eating disorder and weight issues

I loved listening to Rainbow Boys. It was hard at first to get into it because of Jason using slurs and being so hateful. I wasn't so sure where this was going at first. But Nelson and Kyle had me hooked anyways. He does get better, but he's a classic jock closet case. like Nelson is a typical twink. I love how different the kids and their families are. It's a well balanced and diverse group to reach a lot of people.

There's a lot going on but it's all handled well except letting the biphobia slide IMHO. Despite the time since publishing, I think it still holds up well beside the previous issue and the lack of trans* characters. It's only slightly dated because of the budding internet dating, the stereo systems w CDs, and no smart phones. Of course as a 90s kid, I didn't even notice how old it was until later looking at Goodreads realizing I just regressed naturally lol. So, I don't know how kids today will take it.

Notes From Reading:
Jason uses queer, fag, and homo as a slur
Nelson is the typical twink
Two deaf kids in the group
Homophobic AF people
"She doesn't look like a dyke, she's pretty enough to get a guy"
Haha Nelson
Ahhhhh Kyle likes Jason
EWWWW "redskins" team
Jason's dad is an an alcoholic abusive ASS
Starting a gay-straight alliance at school
Fuck Mueller.
Acne. Glasses. Braces.
Polaroids!!!
Twink, "I'm fat". Athlete, "You're not fat." *eyeroll*
Wow that coming out.
Mom was good...?
Oh god, Nelson is taking diet pills
NO means NO!
Kinsey scale
The popcorn bucket scene!
The stretching!
OMG adorbs.
"This is surely the climax of his life" Oh sweet summer child, lol.
Oh fuck more hate
Oh internet dating...
Ouch. Poor baby.
Bi baby!!!
Poor little baby.
Poor kitty!!!
Oh stupid dad, if you only knew
D'awwwwwww
Wowza
Way to blow, Kyle
OMG the Xmas OMFG
WTF Brick? As a NAME?!
"I don't bite unless you want me too?" Ugh.
Oh baby. Please don't go where I think you are...
You fucker, it's the other way around!!!!
Oh the biphobia *sadface*
Alrighty then.
Poor little baby
Go Mom!! That asshole!!
D'awwww baby!
Poor Nelson. I getchu. I fell for that "just the tip" shit once.
Nicely done!
*gasp* shots fired!
Ugh weight watching & bulimia.
I didn't know they had morning after pills for HIV. (Or maybe just not referred to it that way?)
"I didn't have the self-esteem to practice safe sex."
HIV+ character
Once is enough, that's all it takes.
Q&A time.
Yay!
Nooooooooo. Do it!!
Breeders! lol!
"I don't suck anything that small."
Our kitty fetches too.
"Well, you've got one." YESSSSSSS!!!!!
FU! Hope he dies.
And people joke about U-haul lesbians lol.
Friendship break up.
Smart. Sweet.
He always has to fake himself out.
Good, firm, solid ending. Me likey.