Kevin

Gr 6–9—Kevin Keller has turned out to be one of the most popular characters in Archie comics history, so it's no wonder that he is given star status in this middle-school prequel to the familiar high-school universe. The characters are humorous and (somewhat) diverse, the language stays clean while attempting to be contemporary, and though serious issues are raised, the kids overcome all obstacles by working together and reaching out to understanding adults. By book's end, Kevin defeats the local bully, befriends the school outcast, rescues that outcast after a suicide attempt, learns to believe in himself, and, of course, realizes that he may be gay. However, these triumphs don't come easily, and Kevin is no stranger to shame, fear, and uncertainty before the happy ending. Some readers may roll their eyes at the after-school-special tone of the book, but others will recognize the melodrama of their own lives in the plot. While this will not replace David Levithan's Boy Meets Boy (Knopf, 2003) or Alex Sanchez's So Hard to Say (S & S, 2004) as essential teen/tween coming-out lit, Kevin is a welcome addition to the genre and a fun option for libraries with fans of all things Archie.—Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library