Love Rules

by Marilyn Reynolds

Accurately portrays the widespread effects of a young lesbian's decision to come out of the closet and live openly and honestly while in high school.

How could this be? Lynn has known Kit since they were twelve years old. Then Kit tells Lynn that she “likes girls.” How could Lynn not have known? Can they still be best friends? When Kit is bullied by jocks, what can they do? Written with humor, warmth, and understanding, Love Rules is the story of a young woman struggling to understand her best friend’s sexual identity, and what comes next in their lives.

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Read a blog post on LOVE RULES and BLACK LIVES MATTER by Marilyn Reynolds.

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ISBN 978-1-929777-09-9
Paperback
272 pages

Grade levels 8 and up.

Reading level: 4.5

AR: 11.0  IL: UG BL: 4.5

Excerpt:

My best friend is what?

“Do you think being in San Francisco turned you into a lesbian?”
“Nothing turned me into a lesbian, Lynn. I am a lesbian!”
“Don’t get all hostile.”
“I’m not hostile! I’m telling you, this is me! Your friend for life! Remember?”

Reviews:Teen readers wrote:

I remained 'in the closet' for all of high school, and only came out to a few of my very closest friends in my final year. So I'm sure you can see why Love Rules had such a big impact. I loved it, I loved it so much. -- Sarah, Australia

i am a reader of your books and i think you are a FANTASTIC writer! my friend told me to read one of your books and i can`t put it down! the book is love rules and i love it! it is so awesome and my friend and i think there should be a GSA group at our school but we decided that nobody would even admit they are gay but it seems so cool to be in a GSA group! -- A., San Diego

I just wanted to say how much I love your books! My mom read them and wanted me to read "Too Soon For Jeff". I could not put it down until I had finished it. Your one book called "Love Rules" inspired me to join my school's GSA and accept my sexual orientation (lesbian). I am now the leader of the GSA and I owe part of it to you, without your book I wouldn't even know what GSA was. I hope to acquire the rest of your books,especially "Baby Help". I already own two of them. Thank you for being one of the most influential and favorite author I have read. -- Kelly

You talked to me while I was attending a continuation school. I remember you were writing a book at the time called Love Rules. I felt the urge to write to you and let you know what a big impact you had on my life. You were not only a friend, but a sort of mentor at a time when many people, including my family to an extent were turning their backs on me because I was gay. These days, I've become very comfortable with it, and see myself as completely normal, someone who fits in with society perfectly. But getting there was a very difficult task, and you really helped me by allowing me to help with your book project. It's something that I am glad and honored to be a part of. -- Joe, Sacramento

School Library Journal wrote:

Gr. 8 up. A worthy addition to YA literature in which straight, gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals are represented. -

VOYA wrote:

Thoughtful teens will like this issue-packed realistic novel about accepting differences.


About the Author

Marilyn Reynolds is the author of eleven books of realistic teen fiction: Telling, Shut Up, No More Sad Goodbyes, If You Loved Me, Love Rules, Baby Help, But What About Me?, Beyond Dreams, Too Soon for Jeff, Detour for Emmy, and Eddie's Choice, all part of the popular and award-winning True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High. Ms. Reynolds also co-wrote the Emmy-nominated script for the ABC Afterschool Special teleplay of Too Soon for Jeff.

In addition to books for teens, Ms. Reynolds is also the author of a book for educators, I Won’t Read and You Can’t Make Me: Reaching Reluctant Teen Readers; Over 70 and I Don’t Mean MPH,a collection of essays on the gifts and challenges of longevity; and 'Til Death or Dementia Do Us Part, a memoir chronicling her husband's descent into Frontal Temporal Dementia. Her newest book is Over 80: Reflections on Aging, a collection of essays.

Ms. Reynolds worked with reluctant learners and teens in crises at a southern California alternative high school for thirty years. She remains actively involved in education through author visits (Zoom or in-person) to middle and high school students ranging from struggling readers to highly motivated writers who are interested in developing work for possible publication. She offers staff development workshops for educators and is a frequent guest speaker for programs and organizations that serve teens, parents, teachers, and writers.

To request a visit, ask a question, or learn more about her work, visit http://www.marilynreynolds.com/



Other Books By Marilyn Reynolds