The content of the notes rapidly becomes more and more unbalanced, obsessive and threatening. Jack’s life is interrupted when he starts receiving notes folded as origami on special pink paper. Jack has discovered that while taking a cigarette break in the boy’s loos that he can overhear a group of regular girls gossiping nearby and he features in their chat regularly. Jack’s single Mum is a surgeon who works odd hours but is supportive without smothering. They attend a good quality NY high school so there is opportunity there to develop identity theme plots. He has a small close group of pals, Latinax Jenna (look it up, it’s a youth gender neutral thing) and Ben a somewhat tubby, hairy African-American who is a bit unsure of his looks and is talented at creating clothing. Jack Rothman is a 17 year old florid gay teen who enjoys his appearance and his growing sexuality about which he is mostly realistic. There are a number of strands interwoven quite neatly. However, the book includes some of the most direct plain speaking thoughtful advice for teens (mostly gay but bi and straight as well) that I have encountered.

It is certainly there and the central character flaunts it and his school peers enlarge upon it with gossip. That doesn’t mean that some faint hearts might dislike it and want it removed (certainly Israel Folau) because it is confronting about teen sexuality. As a teen, I had no access to lending libraries much less books of this nature and I would certainly recommend it. As an aside, I am so glad that this book has been published and that BCC library has 5 copies which I hope will be used very heavily.

I usually enjoy my excursions into young adult fiction and this was no exception.

Jack of Hearts by Lev A.C. Rosen