If you could change who you are, would you? Should you?
Fifteen-year-old Jamie Bates has a simple strategy for surviving high school&... read full description
reviews
Jul 09, 2011
Barbara
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Jan 23, 2012
Alicia
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May 27, 2011
Justin
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When I was a wee little boy and my eye began to linger a bit longer on the boys it was right around the time I began to reread the books of my early days as a reader. All the books I read, especially the one's by Judy Blume centered on some young protagonist whom felt they were different than everyone around them. I picked several favorites and read and reread them over and over savoring the outsider tales identifying with them deeply.
If I had come across a book like Love Drugged du More...
If I had come across a book like Love Drugged du More...
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Feb 11, 2011
Angela
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This is one of those times I really wish I could give half-stars - because my feelings are more than "liked it" - but thanks to the ending I'm not totally behind the "really liked it" rating.
What did I really like? Klise gives an excellent portrayal of LGBT youth who are terrified to come out - feelings of fear and loathing and an overwhelming desire to do anything to be normal. It's easy to say that Jamie is making the wrong choice, taking a pill to "cure" More...
What did I really like? Klise gives an excellent portrayal of LGBT youth who are terrified to come out - feelings of fear and loathing and an overwhelming desire to do anything to be normal. It's easy to say that Jamie is making the wrong choice, taking a pill to "cure" More...
Nov 11, 2010
Jen Bigheart
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I think the synopsis is an excellent question and really is the heart of this story. If you could change who you are, would you? For 15 yo Jamie, it was a resounding yes. He was not comfortable with his attraction to other boys. He certainly didn't welcome the dreams of his hot classmate Ivan. Jamie wanted to fit in; be normal. He saw enough movies to know that stories of people who came out of the closet didn't always have a happy ending. He starts to explore his homosexual feelings by surfing
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Jan 23, 2011
Steven
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Sep 11, 2011
Kelley
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Loved the writing. It was easy and simple and smooth. The concept was so much fun and unique--a 15-year-old boy who begins taking untested prescription drugs in hopes to 'cure' his homosexuality.
Jamie and Celia's relationship was sweet and believable. It was obvious he cared about her, and his want to be a good boyfriend and try to fix himself for that to happen was endearing. There comes a point wherein he isn't just taking these pills for himself, but for her, too.
I reall More...
Jamie and Celia's relationship was sweet and believable. It was obvious he cared about her, and his want to be a good boyfriend and try to fix himself for that to happen was endearing. There comes a point wherein he isn't just taking these pills for himself, but for her, too.
I reall More...
Apr 25, 2011
Ijahlia'
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Love Drugged is an amazing book. James Klise, the author, creates the book with so much suspense and humor that keeps the reader itching to read more. The book is realistic fiction so it all seems so real. Its about a gay dude, Jamie Bates, but he doesn't want anyone to know. Jamie tries to hide his secret by hanging out with Celia Gamez, the most beautiful and richest chick in school. Celia's dad is a doctor so Jamie steals these new pills that'll make him like girls. Will the pills actua
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Mar 09, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
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I really wanted to like this book. It was a Stonewall honor book this year and the premise sounded intriguing. And while there were good moments, overall I felt the book was another typical coming of age story.
We know about the pills early on, but then we spend around the first 100 pages getting to know Jamie, setting up his relationship with Celia before the pills are even introduced. And then when they are, they're still more a backstory than anything else. Mostly this is a More...
We know about the pills early on, but then we spend around the first 100 pages getting to know Jamie, setting up his relationship with Celia before the pills are even introduced. And then when they are, they're still more a backstory than anything else. Mostly this is a More...
Apr 17, 2011
Whitney
rated it:
2011 honor book for the Stonewall Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature AwardThe award is given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered experience.
I like this interesting story line because it isn't all that far fetched; the boy just wants to be "normal" and would do almost anything. The end portion was definitely glossed over and I felt a little like the author had More...
I like this interesting story line because it isn't all that far fetched; the boy just wants to be "normal" and would do almost anything. The end portion was definitely glossed over and I felt a little like the author had More...
Sep 22, 2010
Katie
rated it:
I meant to publish this with my rating, but apparently forgot... whoops!(I'm trying to practice writing reviews for school)
An excellent read that any teenager struggling with finding their identity will relate to. Jamie is an average fifteen-year old who just wants to fit in, but he is also struggling with a secret: he’s gay. When he discovers there may be a drug that enables gay men to be straight, Jamie leaps at the chance, though this decision will have more consequences than Jami More...
An excellent read that any teenager struggling with finding their identity will relate to. Jamie is an average fifteen-year old who just wants to fit in, but he is also struggling with a secret: he’s gay. When he discovers there may be a drug that enables gay men to be straight, Jamie leaps at the chance, though this decision will have more consequences than Jami More...
Feb 11, 2012
Trevor
rated it:
This was a really good book. I enjoyed it mostly because the characters were so believable. Jamie is exactly (or mostly) what I believe a gay teenage boy just coming to terms with his identity might be in real life. Celia is what I know (from experience) girls in high school are like. All characters, even the supporting ones, were realistic and very believable.
Why I gave it three stars and not more is because the plot of the book was completely crazy. Not only do I believe it would n More...
Why I gave it three stars and not more is because the plot of the book was completely crazy. Not only do I believe it would n More...
Sep 11, 2010
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
TAKE A DOSE OF "LOVE DRUGGED"! Side effects include: laughing out loud, insomnia (from wanting to finish), and being one step closer to finding your identity.
Jamie Bates may seem like any other teenage guy on the outside, but deep down he knows he is far from it. His constant attraction to other guys could be a huge hint that he's gay, yet Jamie does not want to come to this conclusio More...
TAKE A DOSE OF "LOVE DRUGGED"! Side effects include: laughing out loud, insomnia (from wanting to finish), and being one step closer to finding your identity.
Jamie Bates may seem like any other teenage guy on the outside, but deep down he knows he is far from it. His constant attraction to other guys could be a huge hint that he's gay, yet Jamie does not want to come to this conclusio More...
Oct 13, 2010
Pixie/PageTurners(Amber)
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This was not an easy read - I am not sure if it is because I started reading Loved Drugged so soon after the recent suicides of homosexual teens or because it was hard watching someone go to the brink of death to change who he is, maybe both.
Jamie's home life is unconventional, he lives with his grandparents while his parents run a packing business upstairs. Jamie is gay, but he doesn't plan on coming out anytime soon. How could he? When ever we want to insult someone we say " More...
Jul 13, 2011
Ali
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Having met this author who is a teacher/librarian at a local CPS high school at the Lit Fest downtown may have influenced how much I enjoyed this book. It is always fun to read a local author's story. The story's premise was interesting and the main character was believable as I am sure it was based on the author's experiences. The character of Celia's father was a bit disappointing as he was unbelievable, but as a YA book, it may not be much of an issue for younger readers. Because the othe
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Jul 19, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Book twisted from reality to thriller in an odd bit at the end. Character motivations are very fuzzy, especially the main character & his major decision to start taking the drug. There is no reflection, which seems very odd because if there is one thing that teenagers do, it's overthink everything. Interesting concept, somewhat disappionting execution. Subplot about friend's ADHD and Ritalin regime feels a little shoe-horned into the plot & Celia's "Mary Sue" personality resulted in a
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Jul 05, 2011
Brian
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James Klise takes on the controversial subject of reparitive therapy in this funny, heartfelt novel. Jamie Bates has won the heart of the prettiest, coolest girl in school. Too bad he doesn't like girls in that way. Can a new experimental drug make him 'normal'? Does he want to be?
Klise has done an excellent job of writing a YA book about GLBT issues, without making it an issues book. You can't help but root for Jamie, while at the same time wanting to shove him in a locker. I look for More...
Klise has done an excellent job of writing a YA book about GLBT issues, without making it an issues book. You can't help but root for Jamie, while at the same time wanting to shove him in a locker. I look for More...
Jul 05, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
This book made me sad. Jamie is fifteen years old and he's gay. He is desperate to be "normal" (i.e. straight). When he starts spending time with a female classmate, he learns that her father has developed a drug that can make him straight. Jamie starts stealing pills, despite not knowing the potential negative side effects. What made me so deeply sad about this book is that so many gay teenagers would make the same choice Jamie did. Suppressing their sexuality and missing out o
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Aug 15, 2011
Robin
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This is yet another book that I picked up at BEA but just finished reading. I've read a lot of novels for teens with gay characters but this one was truly unique because it imagines that a drug has been created that quells the urge to be gay. In other words, a teen boy who likes boys, takes the pill and doesn't feel the same attraction he once felt toward a classmate, for example. So he thinks this will be better for him since it's tough fitting in when you're gay. You'll have to read the book t
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Nov 07, 2011
Jerica
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Jul 06, 2011
Robyn (Robolobolyn's Universe)
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Gay teenager Jamie has caught the attention of the most beautiful girl in school. He is ecstatic... If only he was actually attracted to her. He's not. But when he finds out about her father's experimental drug meant to change boys like him, Jamie finds hope for the first time... But can it actually work?
When I think about Love Drugged the first thing that comes to my mind is the word true. Then real. Because Love Drugged is both of these things and more. If asked, how many teenage ( More...
When I think about Love Drugged the first thing that comes to my mind is the word true. Then real. Because Love Drugged is both of these things and more. If asked, how many teenage ( More...
Apr 28, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
What initially drew me to this book was the uniquely devised plot that spoke to one teen boy’s desire to hide his sexuality from his family and peers. What kept me enthralled was the excellent execution of all the touch points that made the story stand out from others. From Jamie’s own belief that he, perhaps, didn’t understand his own body and mind well enough to the desperation of wanting to fix it all when he finally did Love Drugged was not always an easy ride.
From the outset I a More...
From the outset I a More...
Mar 03, 2011
Gabrielle
rated it:
This book is great for LGBT teens. It tells the story of a high school boy, Jamie, who finds a pill to make him straight. He knows he's gay but can't face the truth of who he is. He tries to date the most popular girl at school, Celia, but he is never sexually attracted to her. They become great friends and Jamie even goes on vacation with her family, but there is always something missing.
Celia's father is a scientist who is developing a drug called Rehomoline, which is suppose More...
Celia's father is a scientist who is developing a drug called Rehomoline, which is suppose More...
Mar 28, 2011
Gabrielle
rated it:
There are some implausible scenarios in this book, but Klise perfectly captures the teen angst that surrounds the question of "what is normal?" For a gay teen who hasn't come out and is terrified that someone will discover his secret, how to behave "normally" is almost impossible to figure out. A Stonewall Honor book, this would make an interesting pair with David Levithan's Boy Meets Boy.
Dec 20, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This book was interesting. Jamie's dire quest to be like everyone else kinda' broke my heart. I will say that I'm not gay, but I think fitting in is a universal struggle. Everyone, at one time or another has the desire to want to fit in. And let's face it, love is love regardless of who it's between.
At what price does that blending come at? Is it really worth it if it completely changes who you've become? How sad to let the person you are slip into oblivion so that you may beco More...
At what price does that blending come at? Is it really worth it if it completely changes who you've become? How sad to let the person you are slip into oblivion so that you may beco More...
Dec 05, 2011
Kevin
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This is about a teen named Jamie Bates who is afraid that the kids in his school will find out that he is gay. In today’s society, this could be a very relevant book in middle and high school. He trying to fit in and carry a low profile; however, the kids in his school find out. He then starts to use a drug that he believes will cure his problem. This book plays on many fears that kids might have such as, not being relevant, gay, and doing drugs.
Nov 22, 2011
Laugh_at_levi
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Feb 11, 2011
Sarah
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Wait, what?
Love Drugged started off with a very interesting premise - What if there was a pill that could turn gay people straight? - but was almost immediately derailed by unrealistic dialogue, one predictable subplot (the coffee shop) and one completely unbeliveable subplot (the ritalin thing...seriously?), and a ridiculous climax and ending that seemed to have been air-lifted in from a Young James Bond novel.
Weird.
Love Drugged started off with a very interesting premise - What if there was a pill that could turn gay people straight? - but was almost immediately derailed by unrealistic dialogue, one predictable subplot (the coffee shop) and one completely unbeliveable subplot (the ritalin thing...seriously?), and a ridiculous climax and ending that seemed to have been air-lifted in from a Young James Bond novel.
Weird.
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Nov 27, 2010
A nice young teen novel about a 15 year old kid trying to come to grips with his sexuality. Light and somewhat humorous in tone, this book drew me in. The ridiculous plot line did not seem so shaky until the ending, which removed the veil of believability from the rest of the book. So, somewhat disappointing in the end, but I think a reasonably good read for a high school kid.
