What They Always Tell Us
{{short description|2008 novel by Martin Wilson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| name = What They Always Tell Us
| image = What They Always Tell Us.jpg
| author = Martin Wilson
| country = United States
| language = English
| genre = Young adult
| publisher = Delacorte Books
| pub_date = August 2008
| media_type = Print (Hardback, Paperback)
| pages = 293
| isbn = 978-0-375-84892-6
| oclc = 167492689
}}
What They Always Tell Us is the first novel by Martin Wilson, focusing on the relationship between two high school age brothers as one begins to embrace his homosexuality. The book was a finalist in the Children's/Young Adult category at the 2009 Lambda Literary Awards, but lost to Out of the Pocket by Bill Konigsberg.[http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/articles/books/857103-340/lgbt_award_for_kidaposs_lit.html.csp LGBT Award for Kid's Lit Celebrates 20 year] School Library Journal What They Always Tell Us was also chosen for the ALA's 2009 Rainbow List.[http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/articles/books/856885-340/ala_releases_2009_rainbow_list.html.csp ALA Releases 2009 Rainbow List] School Library Journal
Plot summary
What They Always Tell Us is told from the perspective of two brothers, Alex and James. Alex is a high school junior who struggles with depression; the novel opens a few months after he drank Pine-Sol in an apparent suicide attempt. James is a senior who is presented as the exact opposite of Alex. James is ambitious, popular and athletic. The story takes place over the school year and chronicles the brothers fulfilling school and family obligations, befriending a lost and isolated neighborhood boy, and the brothers repairing their own relationship with one another. The chapters switch back and forth between Alex and James' perspective, giving readers access to both of their thoughts and desires.
Reception
What They Always Tell Us was generally well received by critics.[http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wual/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&sid=14&id=1765924&pid=217 What They Always Tell Us] APR, Don Noble It was selected by Indie Bound (indiebound.org) for the Fall '08 Kids Next List.[http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385735087 What They Always Tell Us] Indie Bound The Austin Chronicle recommended the book stating it was both ″uplifting″ and ″relevant″.[http://www.austinchronicle.com/books/2008-10-31/696182/ What They Always Tell Us] Austin Chronicle The School Library Journal praised the book's realism, saying it would appeal "to teens who are grappling with decisions about the future, the frustrations of family, and the choices that relationships require of us".[http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6590833.html What They Always Tell Us] School Library Journal Booklist called the book a "strong debut" and that "Wilson shows admirable control of a complicated story that in less-accomplished hands could have spun out of control."[http://www.booklistonline.com/What-They-Always-Tell-Us-Martin-Wilson/pid=2644970 Booklist Review: What They Always Tell Us] Booklist Publishers Weekly also reviewed the book, stating it was "insightfully evoked".[http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-385-73507-0 What They Always Tell Us] Publishers Weekly
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Portal|Children and Young Adult Literature}}
- [http://martinwilsonwrites.com/ Official author site]
Category:American young adult novels
Category:American LGBTQ novels
Category:Novels set in Alabama
Category:LGBTQ-related young adult novels
Category:2008 LGBTQ-related literary works
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