Review: Cristian YoungMiller: Avenues to Acceptance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 21, 2010
This is the third book in a series by the very sensitive and intelligent and caring Cristian YoungMiller, a crusader for helping kids through difficult themes. In EVERYBODY HAS THOSE THOUGHTS SO IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE GAY he creates a little novella about a father and son and the discussions they have about important topics.Jack is a 13-year-old lad who is depressed because his friends have called him 'gay', a term he doesn't completely understand and a feeling about his dream world and his sexuality that he has not confronted. Jack is fortunate to have a fine father who, sensing there is something Jack needs to discuss, takes his son to the miniature golf course where they can jointly enjoy the game and provide time for communication. Jack finally has the courage to discuss a dream he had in which he kissed his friend Billy in a successful attempt to save him from an accident.  He also relates a recent game of Truth or Dare in which Billy was dared to kiss Jack: the only problem for Jack was that when he stood for the kiss he had to hide an unwanted evidence of stimulation! This really opens a discussion about the spectrum of emotions that include same sex attraction and Jack's father offer a brief but understandable explanation of the work of Kinsey and the bell curve of human sexual response. The story ends with the father and son warmly finishing their miniature golf game with a strong and reassuring embrace.Though some may disagree with YoungMiller's simplification of genetic propensity and the role of inheritance in sexual response, few will deny that he has provided a very wise manner for kids to understand the world of sexual proclivity - and a recipe for parents and all adults to approach the topic. As in YoungMiller's other books the very fine illustrations (realistic bodies with different types of fruits for heads) are by Andrew Toutant. These two men are producing books that NEED to be widely read and available to youngsters who will sooner or later ask the questions for which YoungMiller provides a means of answering. This series of books should be up for an award in home education of some sort! Grady Harp, October 10