“Where Von goes, Emi-Lou goes.” In Hilo, Hawaii, Von and Emi-Lou have long been best friends, each other’s protectors. But when both join the island women’s softball team, Emi-Lou notices Von’s increasing attachment to Babes, a teammate. Emi-Lou is desperate to keep things the same between her and Von and to keep Von “normal” but her efforts threaten their friendship.

This was the first novel with lesbian themes I ever read -- I think I was 10 or 11. I remember being a little surprised at first because I thought it was a novel about Hawaiians, but I was so sucked into the story that I got a lot out of it, not least of which was realizing a book could be both about Hawaiians and lesbians. One of my first lessons, in my white community, about non-white literature being multifaceted and the hegemony of whiteness as default. This is still a powerful lesson for young readers today.

Careful words- throughout
Careful topics- gay, swearing, drugs, drinking. Needs to be older and age appropriate.

Personal Response:

Emi-Lou’s insistence that her best friend be ‘normal’ is perplexing given that she has seemingly accepted a male friend’s sexuality. But the love she shows for Von throughout makes her eventual acceptance more believable. The complications of friendship are very relatable.

Curricular or Programming Connections:

Would make excellent small group discussion, but too controversial for assigned class reading