Absolutely Positively Not (Sid Fleischman Humor Award)

By David LaRochelle

Book Overview

Steven doesn't know if he'll pass his driver'slicense test or if he'll ever understand hisparents, but there's one thing he knows forsure: He's absolutely, positively NOT gay.How could he be, when he... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439591090
• ISBN13: 9780439591096
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 5.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

I've been absolutely positively captured by David LaRochelle

I sat in a writing session with David at a Young Authors Conference in the Spring of 2007. I was so impressed with his ablility to communicate effective ways of using humor to convey important ideas to youth, that I immediately purchased his book Absolutely Positively Not. I read it in one sitting, being absolutely positively captured by his graceful and naturally funny treatment of a certain young man's coming of age story. As an educator, I highly recommend this book to both youth and adults alike. David's perspective is priceless.

There's a method to his madness

This is Steven's tale of exploration and struggle to determine his sexual identity. Told in a very humorous fashion, this story follows Steven's journey after he wonders when he is finally going to be interested in girls. He thinks himself to be a very observant individual in that he notices everything about his very attractive teacher, Mr. Bowman. He is sure, however, that if he can find just the right girl, his feelings about girls will change. But after 24 dates with 22 different girls, he's pretty sure that he is gay. His best friend Rachel is ecstatic that he is finally coming out (since she has known for over a year) and wants to empower him by forming a gay-straight alliance at school. He still has a lot of questions, though, can barely admit it to himself, never mind the kids at school! And he doesn't know how to tell his parents. This fast-paced story is easy-to-read and will keep readers laughing. The reader can feel the pain Steven is experiencing as methodically goes through the steps to prove that he is absolutely, positively, not gay. It could be an especially good book to recommend to boys who are trying to understand their sexual identity, but both boys and girls will enjoy reading it.

A Funny, Memorable Read

I really enjoyed this teen novel. Steven, the main character, resists the possibility that he is gay. There are many scenes of Steven trying to be straight (dating girls, sitting with the jocks, etc.), with comically disastrous consequences. He gradually admits to himself that he is gay, and then comes out to his parents and faces his peers at school and at the prom. Though coming out is a serious, deep issue, the book is told humorously. It's a very fun and fast-paced read, which also manages to deliver a powerful message that homosexuality is not a choice.

Oh, Wow!

I wish I had the words to describe how wonderful this book is! Hilarious, touching, entertaining, funny, enlightening...I just don't have the vocabulary to sing its praises! I loved Steven, his parents were a total hoot (and I just adored the part where he came out to his dad). Rachel was terrific, and her parents ROCKED! Victor was cool. I really liked the part about taking Kelly to the dance! My heart was pounding during the library scene when kids from another school were making gay jokes, and I felt bad when Mr. Bowman laughed at the wrong jokes. The stories about Steven trying to get his driver's license and mom's book and her lack of housekeeping skills just really added to the fun! This book is not JUST about coming out. Anyone could read it just for the dang fun of it! This is a great story of a boy becoming happy with who he is, and the delightful realization that others like him just how he is, too!