ALA Booklist (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2007)

When first published in 2001, Marcus' question-and-answer guide was described by Booklist as "detailed" and "reader friendly." The same adjectives apply to this newly revised and updated version. Although it's not being called a new edition, its new publisher has given it a more sophisticated design, which will appeal to older teens, and Marcus has supplied enough significant new material to warrant replacing the earlier version. The most apparent expansion is his addition of a new chapter "For Parents." But the careful reader will also find a number of less obvious but important updates, revisions, and additions, including new stories drawn from Marcus' interviews with teens and adults. The tone is also slightly more outspoken. Here's one example: to the sentence, "Gay boys are not allowed to join the Boy Scouts," Marcus has added, in the new version, a parenthetical "(how stupid is that?)." But he remains, as always, scrupulously fair and, perhaps best of all, laudably commonsensical.

Horn Book

Following a question-and-answer format, Marcus capably debunks pervasive myths about homosexuality, interweaving the testimonies of teens (gay and straight) grappling with the issue and anecdotes from his own experience as a gay man. Individual chapters discuss topics including sex and religion, and a "Resources" section lists relevant books, videos, national organizations, websites, and hotlines.

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Since the first edition of this book appeared in 2000, the LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) world of Marcus's thoughtful, original guide for teens has expanded, if not exploded. Statistics prove that the current generation of teens may be the most tolerant yet, and descriptors like "genderqueer," "queerboi," "lesbigay," "intersexed," and "trans" rip through both the media and the lives of teens across the United States. In this world, the framework around which Marcus's work is constructed can't help but feel dated. Perhaps the most blinding omission is relegation of T and Q (Transgendered and Questioning, respectively) from the LGBTQ/GLBTQ moniker that has come to describe this community to the resource chapter at the end of the book. That said, the content still stands strong, and readers will appreciate Marcus's gentle tone and the careful candor that he uses to describe the sometimes-rocky LGB experience. Helpful information about gay-straight alliances and marriage and partnership issues are all addressed, and the addition of a chapter for parents makes for a great starting block on which to build conversations.-Hillias J. Martin, New York Public Library Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Voice of Youth Advocates

A person's teenage years are often the most confusing. One is just starting to figure out who he or she is as a person, and sometimes that can be quite frightening. Many teenagers struggle with the idea of sexuality and sexual orientation. In Marcus's self-help book, he tries to unravel the myths and stereotypes that surround teenagers who consider themselves to be gay or lesbian. In "The Basic Stuff," Marcus tackles some of the big questions: Is being gay a choice? Can you change your feelings? Is homosexuality abnormal? Marcus continues by providing information about how friends and family members can approach the subject of sexual orientation. He also mentions how school districts across the United States have founded Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), so that students have a safe place to discuss certain issues, including sexual orientation and prejudices. Marcus also covers topics such as religion, activism, discrimination, and dating. He provides an extensive list of resources for those teenagers who are looking for more answers. The book contains a lot of helpful information, and Marcus handles the topics with dignity and grace. Teenagers will appreciate this book because Marcus is forthcoming and honest with all of his answers. They will look for this type of book in their school and public libraries.-Jonatha Masters.