Annie on My Mind
Garden, N.
(1982). Annie on my mind. New York:
Farrar, Straus
Annie on My Mind
is the story of two seniors who live in New York City and meet at a museum and
develop a friendship that grows over time even though the two girls come from
significantly different backgrounds. As the friendship matures, so do the
romantic feelings between Liza and Annie. Liza struggles to understand what her
growing feelings mean, but she knows she has never been happier even though she
is hiding what is happening from her family. Liza house sits for two of her
teachers when they go on vacation and she and Annie take the opportunity to
explore their love for each other. When they are caught, Liza must face harsh
criticism from school and her family. The girl’s actions cost the two ladies
whose house she was watching their jobs and careers as teachers because it was
discovered that they were also gay.
Annie on My Mind
is a contemporary realistic novel told from Liza’s point of view using
flashbacks to tell her story as she tries to reestablish communication with
Annie now that they are both in college at different parts of the country. The
story eloquently communicates the struggle of sexual discovery by two young
girls during a time when being gay was really discouraged. This is a story of
acceptance, accepting who you are and not hiding who you are. It takes Liza a
long time to embrace who she really is inside. This book was a break-through in
lesbian literature and was actually burned in Kansas.
Awards
ALA Best Books (1982)
Edwards Award (2003)
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