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Re: question for Julie or others
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From: Julie Halpern <juliehalpern114_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 06:23:21 -0700 (PDT)
I apologize if my answers are stilted-- I will be trying to answer them with my kiddos around.
To answer you question, my point throughout the book was to promote a healthy, consensual relationship between two teenagers. I particularly wanted to focus on a female getting pleasure out of sex, instead of just giving blowjobs (common in real life and several teen books). The one thing I have heard consistently from teen readers is how happy they are with the female sexuality in the book. Leo saying, "You look like you wanted me to" was part of a motif throughout the book of Alex not expressing herself verbally but Leo being able to read her expressions, sexual or not. He wanted to bring her pleasure, while she was not able to ask for it or even felt like she deserved it.
I hope that answers your
question! Julie
www.juliehalpern.com
________________________________
From: Helen Frost <helenfrost_at_comcast.net> To: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 6:47 AM Subject: [ccbc-net] question for Julie or others
Something I've gone back and forth on: Is the sex with Alex, especially the scene in the
book closet, consensual? The observation that "you looked like you wanted me to" by two different boys (I love her comment "Can someone take a picture so I can stop doing that?" this is from memory, I'm not sure it's an exact quote) kind of stopped me in my tracks, having read some journals/poetry by teens where something like that has been said manipulatively.
When I'm reading that scene, I kind of hold my breath that she won't be hurt, and it seems she is not. When I think about it later, I wonder about boys reading it and trying on some of Leo's behavior less -- I don't know --- generously?
It's such a carefully walked tightrope here, Julie. I'd love to hear a little more from you about how you thought this through.
I also loved the humor and honesty of these two girls, and the compassion of Leo. The family too.
Helen Frost
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Received on Wed 26 Mar 2014 08:24:02 AM CDT
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 06:23:21 -0700 (PDT)
I apologize if my answers are stilted-- I will be trying to answer them with my kiddos around.
To answer you question, my point throughout the book was to promote a healthy, consensual relationship between two teenagers. I particularly wanted to focus on a female getting pleasure out of sex, instead of just giving blowjobs (common in real life and several teen books). The one thing I have heard consistently from teen readers is how happy they are with the female sexuality in the book. Leo saying, "You look like you wanted me to" was part of a motif throughout the book of Alex not expressing herself verbally but Leo being able to read her expressions, sexual or not. He wanted to bring her pleasure, while she was not able to ask for it or even felt like she deserved it.
I hope that answers your
question! Julie
www.juliehalpern.com
________________________________
From: Helen Frost <helenfrost_at_comcast.net> To: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 6:47 AM Subject: [ccbc-net] question for Julie or others
Something I've gone back and forth on: Is the sex with Alex, especially the scene in the
book closet, consensual? The observation that "you looked like you wanted me to" by two different boys (I love her comment "Can someone take a picture so I can stop doing that?" this is from memory, I'm not sure it's an exact quote) kind of stopped me in my tracks, having read some journals/poetry by teens where something like that has been said manipulatively.
When I'm reading that scene, I kind of hold my breath that she won't be hurt, and it seems she is not. When I think about it later, I wonder about boys reading it and trying on some of Leo's behavior less -- I don't know --- generously?
It's such a carefully walked tightrope here, Julie. I'd love to hear a little more from you about how you thought this through.
I also loved the humor and honesty of these two girls, and the compassion of Leo. The family too.
Helen Frost
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Received on Wed 26 Mar 2014 08:24:02 AM CDT
