You're in high school now: Julian's Sophomore Year, Part 1 - Hardcover

Eldot

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0996632522 ISBN 13: 9780996632522

Publisher: Diphra Enterprises, 2016

Synopsis

What?!!  Go to a dance?  With a girl?!!
When the large flower appeared in front of Julian’s face, he thought the girl was checking to see if it matched his light blond hair—he ran into that a lot.  Not this time: he had been tagged to attend the Sadie Hawkins Day Dance.
This was the latest obstacle in his secret strategy to gain the love of his life.  It had to be secret: in 1962, life for a gay boy could be especially risky.  Rule 1: pretend you’re normal; rule 2: evade the bullies; rule 3: keep busy.
Mark Schaefer, Julian’s scoutmaster—the center of Julian’s romantic bulls eye—had problems of his own.  His recent promotion at work, combined with a growing personal need to get out from under his past had his full attention.  With reluctance, he allows a colleague of his wife to be his guide and mentor.
Then there’s Randall... a new friend, or a complication?
Eldot, author of the critically acclaimed Julian’s Private Scrapbook novels, presents a new and hilarious chapter in Julian’s poignant story: his first year of high school.  Again, he weaves a comical tapestry for a very serious subject: who are these boys who get bullied?  Eldot gets inside the heads of the characters and shows how they should be accepted and celebrated for who they are.
“Humor is one of Eldot’s strong suits; he has an impressive capacity for penning farcical, innocently disastrous moments.” [Kirkus]  The pre digital world—when a milkshake cost 25 cents and Playboy was sold under the counter—lends charm to the subject, and allows a frank and honest treatment of same sex discovery and activity.  “Well-written, with engaging, likable characters, this book skillfully presents the challenges and pleasures boys who love men face in growing up.” [BlueInk]

 

About this title

From the Author:

Eldot is the nom de plume Leland Hall devised when he decided to take up writing. [Eldot = L.] The cipher is easy to decode because it is intended to clarify, not disguise.  For thirty terrific years he was a classroom teacher and leader in his profession. Reserving that proud and distinguished heritage as its own chapter is important. The credentials and honors of those years belong to those years. Now retired, he has begun a new chapter--hence, the need for a new "handle." You're in high school now is his twelfth book.
Julian's story is his response to the failure of society and the media to deal honestly with the problems many young people face when it comes to sexual identity and development. It rises from years of observation and experience, and frustration. The vehicle he has chosen is unusual, if not unique: romantic comedy. The perspective is from within the characters: it is what they see, think, and feel--the view that is generally never allowed a voice.
The "system" fails to recognize or remember that individual human beings under the age of 18 are conscious beings: learning, setting goals, and making life direction decisions at every turn. That is the world readers enter in these pages. It is handled with humor and understanding--if there is a need for scolding, let someone else do it, somewhere else.
Eldot has lived in the Pacific Northwest most of his life. The novels are not autobiographical.

From the Inside Flap:

Get ready for some fun and surprises
This visit to the near past (1962) provides more than a peek behind closed doors.  It remembers what it was like to be a sophomore in high school, what a first date required, and how parents tried their best to help out.
What was it like to grow up without a cell phone? without the Internet?! when all three television stations went off the air after the late movie?  What did everyone do?
A gay boy had little choice but to be "in the closet."  That meant being careful; knowing how to keep the secret was required.  Hard to do--especially if the closet starts to get crowded.
Blue Ink Review: This charming novel continues the story of Julian from Eldot's series Julian's Private Scrapbook. The title refers to the refrain his mother and her friend continually use when explaining to Julian why he must pay attention to his clothes now and other new "rules." Julian's only real concern is his mother's interest that he take out a girl.
While not every reader will appreciate the sex scenes, they are sensitively drawn and important to the story.  The only complaint this reader has is waiting for Part 2.
CLARION Review: ... a microcosm fraught with prizes and pitfalls, where bullies abound and fitting in is a constant quest. This narrative reflects traditional coming-of-age themes, further complicated by issues of sexuality and identity... this is important work. At the very outset, Eldot writes: "The grand social purpose that motivated the Julian's Private Scrapbook series lurks in the background, unsolved as always: social change is never as rapid as one would like. There are still bullies ... So it's worth the effort to add a positive chapter or two."
Eldot's message is, indeed, as important as ever.  Julian is a sympathetic character, thoughtful and comical in his observations about himself and those around him. His internal struggles and interactions with his peers will likely connect with young readers, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Self-acceptance rings as a universal desire and pursuit throughout.

About this edition

• Publisher: Diphra Enterprises
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0996632522
• ISBN 13: 9780996632522
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 614