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Alan Cole #2
Alan Cole Doesn't Dance
Alan Cole is not a coward. Not since he stood up to his brother. Not since he let his friends Zack and Madison into his world. And definitely not since he came out at his school.
But Alan’s got a new host of problems to face. His biggest one: Ron McCaughlin. Ever since Alan revealed he’s gay, Ron has been bullying Alan with relentless fury. Yet Alan can’t tell his parents why he’s really coming home with bruises — because they still don’t know the truth. And now Alan’s father wants him to take June Harrison to the upcoming Winter Dance. Never mind that he has two left feet, does not like girls, and might be developing feelings for a new boy at school.
Between trying to understand the complex art of text flirting, learning how to subdue his bullies, and finding his identity beyond the labels people put on him, Alan has a lot to sort through — and lay out — on the dance floor.
In this follow-up novel to Alan Cole Is Not A Coward, Eric Bell returns to the Unstable Table with Alan and his friends as they tackle middle school in another poignant and laugh-out-loud tale about friendship, family, and the many meanings of bravery.
But Alan’s got a new host of problems to face. His biggest one: Ron McCaughlin. Ever since Alan revealed he’s gay, Ron has been bullying Alan with relentless fury. Yet Alan can’t tell his parents why he’s really coming home with bruises — because they still don’t know the truth. And now Alan’s father wants him to take June Harrison to the upcoming Winter Dance. Never mind that he has two left feet, does not like girls, and might be developing feelings for a new boy at school.
Between trying to understand the complex art of text flirting, learning how to subdue his bullies, and finding his identity beyond the labels people put on him, Alan has a lot to sort through — and lay out — on the dance floor.
In this follow-up novel to Alan Cole Is Not A Coward, Eric Bell returns to the Unstable Table with Alan and his friends as they tackle middle school in another poignant and laugh-out-loud tale about friendship, family, and the many meanings of bravery.
288 pages, ebook
First published October 9, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 27, 2020
Moim zdaniem ta część jest lepsza od pierwszej i znacznie więcej się w niej dzieje. Ponadto porusza ona ważniejsze oraz bardziej powszechne problemy. Pokazuje jak człowiek powinien walczyć z innymi oraz, że zawsze można się zmienić. Bardzo podobała mi się także nowa postać jaką był Odin. Książkę czytało mi się przyjemnie oraz szybko.
November 4, 2018
“You know what a good friend said to me once?”
“What?”
“He said, I’d rather have a hard time being myself than an easy time being somebody else.”
“Whoah.”
“Yeah. You’re being yourself, and that’s what matters.”
Alan made me cry. He did it again with his innocence and good nature and his courage to be himself without having to endure bullism. Standing for himself and for all the people that don’t have the strength to do it. Defeating evil with kindness, with his art, one step at a time. To see the difference you want to see in the world, you have to start somewhere, right? If you don’t do anything, nothing will change, and that’s exactly what Alan thinks and why I love him so much. I adored this little book so much. I couldn't put it down, finished it in one afternoon.
Alan is the sweetest of boys and Odin was a great addition to the narration. Odin and Alan were the cutest together; from "rivals" to art buddies. Smiles and laughter they didn't share with anybody else, a past and present not so easy. Innocent and sweet. My heart couldn’t take all the adorableness. Alan’s friends, his family, things aren’t always great; they fight, because for things to get better, a little confrontation is necessary.
Having more queer books out in the world is the most amazing thing in the world and having more and more queer books for middle graders is even greater; this is the kind of book kids nowadays need, a book that normalizes their feelings because they aren’t wrong, they aren’t disgusting, their love is as much true as the ones of other people. They should never feel ashamed of who they are and books like this one give me so much hope they will have a safer world to live and be themselves.
“What?”
“He said, I’d rather have a hard time being myself than an easy time being somebody else.”
“Whoah.”
“Yeah. You’re being yourself, and that’s what matters.”
Alan made me cry. He did it again with his innocence and good nature and his courage to be himself without having to endure bullism. Standing for himself and for all the people that don’t have the strength to do it. Defeating evil with kindness, with his art, one step at a time. To see the difference you want to see in the world, you have to start somewhere, right? If you don’t do anything, nothing will change, and that’s exactly what Alan thinks and why I love him so much. I adored this little book so much. I couldn't put it down, finished it in one afternoon.
Alan is the sweetest of boys and Odin was a great addition to the narration. Odin and Alan were the cutest together; from "rivals" to art buddies. Smiles and laughter they didn't share with anybody else, a past and present not so easy. Innocent and sweet. My heart couldn’t take all the adorableness. Alan’s friends, his family, things aren’t always great; they fight, because for things to get better, a little confrontation is necessary.
Having more queer books out in the world is the most amazing thing in the world and having more and more queer books for middle graders is even greater; this is the kind of book kids nowadays need, a book that normalizes their feelings because they aren’t wrong, they aren’t disgusting, their love is as much true as the ones of other people. They should never feel ashamed of who they are and books like this one give me so much hope they will have a safer world to live and be themselves.
March 10, 2019
CvC, round two? Not quite, but Alan Cole Doesn't Dance does expand on certain themes from Alan Cole Is Not a Coward as the twelve-year-old moves deeper into his seventh-grade year at Evergreen Middle School. The students now know he's attracted to guys rather than girls, as does Alan's brother Nathan, but their parents remain in the dark. Alan's father has backed down a bit on his tyranny, and Nathan no longer bullies Alan, but home life is still tense as Alan's father awaits a promotion at work and takes out his frustration on the kids. At school, Alan continues to pine for Connor Garcia, who isn't attracted to guys but treats Alan decently. Ron McCaughlin, after learning about Alan's sexual orientation, has ratcheted up the bullying, and is becoming a serious threat. Between home and school, the drama is a lot for Alan to handle.
"(I)f you're going on about changing the world, you need to know what you're doing. Or else you'll change it for the worse."
—Odin, Alan Cole Doesn't Dance, P. 150
Evergreen Middle School is prepping for its Winter Dance, and though Alan fantasizes about going with Connor, he knows that's out of the question. His attention is diverted by an announcement from Gladstone Art Academy, seeking applications from kids. Gladstone accepts students for a six-week course once every three years, and Alan would love to learn from their world-class instructors. His father is unimpressed: why is Alan fixated on art when he could develop skills that will make him popular with the girls? Gladstone is also way overpriced, he insists, but Alan's mother refuses to back up her husband this time. He wavers on his firm "no", but if he's going to shell out that kind of money, then he wants Alan to take June, his boss's middle-school daughter, to the Winter Dance. It will help secure Alan's father's job promotion. Can Alan stomach going on a date with a girl, much less June?
Ron's aggression toward Alan turns dangerous, but Connor turns the tables. He's not attracted to Alan, but he won't let Ron abuse him. Zack Kimble, Madison Truman, and Alan were an inseparable trio in the previous book, but when popular Meredith Wood asks Madison to the Winter Dance, he starts drifting away from Alan and Zack. Alan's school routine is interrupted by Odin Thompson, a new student who doesn't get a good first impression of Alan. Odin, an artist, has his sights set on attending Gladstone Academy...which accepts a maximum of one student per school. Alan and Odin can't both qualify, making them natural rivals. Contentious as their relationship is, Alan detects a spiritual symbiosis between him and Odin. Art is their emotional release valve, the way they express turmoil over dark incidents from the past and their growing uncertainty for tomorrow. Maybe Alan and Odin can help each other heal. With Ron's threats escalating, Alan's father reverting to heavy-handed parenting, and the Winter Dance rapidly approaching, the stage is set for an encounter that will reveal the true Alan Cole, regardless of whether others like what they see. Alan has more growing to do, but he's not going to hide away as he does it, and he's blessed with an excellent support system to ease him through the rough patches.
Eric Bell's young main characters are easy to feel affection for. They may be overly articulate and philosophical in Alan Cole Doesn't Dance, but there are worse flaws a book can have. The story feels over-managed by the author to the point that it loses all sense of authenticity, but I still enjoyed it. I'm rounding my one-and-a-half-star rating to two, and I'd read more from Eric Bell. Whether he writes about Alan Cole, other preteens confused about their sexuality, or a new topic, I'll be interested. His work shows strong potential.
"(I)f you're going on about changing the world, you need to know what you're doing. Or else you'll change it for the worse."
—Odin, Alan Cole Doesn't Dance, P. 150
Evergreen Middle School is prepping for its Winter Dance, and though Alan fantasizes about going with Connor, he knows that's out of the question. His attention is diverted by an announcement from Gladstone Art Academy, seeking applications from kids. Gladstone accepts students for a six-week course once every three years, and Alan would love to learn from their world-class instructors. His father is unimpressed: why is Alan fixated on art when he could develop skills that will make him popular with the girls? Gladstone is also way overpriced, he insists, but Alan's mother refuses to back up her husband this time. He wavers on his firm "no", but if he's going to shell out that kind of money, then he wants Alan to take June, his boss's middle-school daughter, to the Winter Dance. It will help secure Alan's father's job promotion. Can Alan stomach going on a date with a girl, much less June?
Ron's aggression toward Alan turns dangerous, but Connor turns the tables. He's not attracted to Alan, but he won't let Ron abuse him. Zack Kimble, Madison Truman, and Alan were an inseparable trio in the previous book, but when popular Meredith Wood asks Madison to the Winter Dance, he starts drifting away from Alan and Zack. Alan's school routine is interrupted by Odin Thompson, a new student who doesn't get a good first impression of Alan. Odin, an artist, has his sights set on attending Gladstone Academy...which accepts a maximum of one student per school. Alan and Odin can't both qualify, making them natural rivals. Contentious as their relationship is, Alan detects a spiritual symbiosis between him and Odin. Art is their emotional release valve, the way they express turmoil over dark incidents from the past and their growing uncertainty for tomorrow. Maybe Alan and Odin can help each other heal. With Ron's threats escalating, Alan's father reverting to heavy-handed parenting, and the Winter Dance rapidly approaching, the stage is set for an encounter that will reveal the true Alan Cole, regardless of whether others like what they see. Alan has more growing to do, but he's not going to hide away as he does it, and he's blessed with an excellent support system to ease him through the rough patches.
Eric Bell's young main characters are easy to feel affection for. They may be overly articulate and philosophical in Alan Cole Doesn't Dance, but there are worse flaws a book can have. The story feels over-managed by the author to the point that it loses all sense of authenticity, but I still enjoyed it. I'm rounding my one-and-a-half-star rating to two, and I'd read more from Eric Bell. Whether he writes about Alan Cole, other preteens confused about their sexuality, or a new topic, I'll be interested. His work shows strong potential.
February 12, 2020
Poprzedni tom średnio mi się podobał. Dlatego dość niechętnie sięgnęłam po ten. jednak okazało się, że ta część jest o wiele lepsza. Bohaterowie są bardziej rozbudowani i już tak nie irytują.
Jednak wciąż była to dość banalna i przewidywalna historia. Od początku jesteśmy w stanie zgadnąć, co się wydarzy na końcu. Fajnie, że autor poruszył poważne tematy, a wątek LGBT nie jest wci��nięty na siłę, jak to było w przypadku 1 części.
Jest to fajna młodzieżówka, ale jednocześnie nie zachwyciła mnie, na tyle bym nie wiadmo jak bardzo ją polubiła.
Jednak wciąż była to dość banalna i przewidywalna historia. Od początku jesteśmy w stanie zgadnąć, co się wydarzy na końcu. Fajnie, że autor poruszył poważne tematy, a wątek LGBT nie jest wci��nięty na siłę, jak to było w przypadku 1 części.
Jest to fajna młodzieżówka, ale jednocześnie nie zachwyciła mnie, na tyle bym nie wiadmo jak bardzo ją polubiła.
July 1, 2019
okay so i’d attempt a real review for this but how i feel about this book is how paperbackdreams feels about radio silence
ye Ah
this book like,, trampled over the first one, although admittedly its been a year and a half since i read it, and also, that first one is HARD TO BEAT. this book ran a spear of happiness and absolute determination through my heart. its so GOOD to see a character like alan. he’s genuinely important to me. he’s a realistic 12/13 year old who i can really relate to. hes not ‘exceptional’, and he doesnt become miraculously fearless by the end of the book and puts on a super flash mob to yell gay rights.
what he does is more empowering.
everything about this book was perfect. i cant name one single thing i wouldve changed. eric bell really managed to make me almost cry in a bookstore as i read the final few chapters.
alan was really well developed, taking in the fact that he already came a long way since the first book. he was such a raw and real and human character it HURT me to see him hurt, and lifted me into the air to see him succeed.
the relationships (platonic and otherwise ;)) were all so good. introducing any kind of love interest in the second book is always hard to pull off, but i’d never seen it done better. also i did really appreciate how connor didn’t magically fit was alan wanted. alan didnt ‘get the guy’ per se, but he /did/ move on, and boy am i glad he did.
every character felt fleshed out and important.
i CANT deal with this. here are some parts of the book that only drove the point home that this really was the best thing to come to my life so far this year.
///
‘if art was breathing, i’d cry watercolours’
“you’re not my type. sorry”
“there’s more to being /gay/, you know.”
i stop and lose and lose all my forward momentum once i realize this is the first time i’ve ever referred to myself as... gay, either out loud or even in my head. like someone scratched a needle, the room stops, and i let myself soak in the word, see how it sounds, feels, tastes.
it fits.
he flips a page in his book. “sometimes people dont see anyone who’d make a good friend. except one kid, but he might not like those people.”
uh. “theres one person i think could be a good friend for me too, but i dont think he likes me either.”
“well,” he says. “thats a problem.”
“yeah.”
odin frowns. “so? youve got a good soul. you shouldnt mind showing it off.”
“youve never thought about changing the world?”
“of course i have. everyone has.”
“what would you want to do?”
“thats not important.”
“it’s important to me.” i blow a strand of hair out of my face. “tell me.”
“no,” he says. “im done blaming my brother.”
the full impact of the words slams into me all at once. he’d always blamed me for everything wrong in our family when i didnt even do anything wrong, and to hear him say this, in front of everyone—
“we’re not burning things down. we’re building things up.”
“you can do whatever you want. im staying our of it.”
“odin thompson, you are not a coward.”
///
AND SO MUCH MORE, BUT I’LL REFRAIN FROM TYPING OUT THE WHOLE BOOK
theres a scene near the end where, after alan’s extreme display of epicness, a girl named laura walks right up to him and then and there comes out as lesbian
this scene is one that really brought it home for me
eric bell totally upped my expectations for books now. his writing was magnetic. when alan laughed, i laughed. when he was angry, so was i. the biggest thing for me is when i found myself blushing along with alan.
this book totally blew me away, and anyone who HASNT read this duology is missing out on some of the best books of all time
wow
aurevoir
ye Ah
this book like,, trampled over the first one, although admittedly its been a year and a half since i read it, and also, that first one is HARD TO BEAT. this book ran a spear of happiness and absolute determination through my heart. its so GOOD to see a character like alan. he’s genuinely important to me. he’s a realistic 12/13 year old who i can really relate to. hes not ‘exceptional’, and he doesnt become miraculously fearless by the end of the book and puts on a super flash mob to yell gay rights.
what he does is more empowering.
everything about this book was perfect. i cant name one single thing i wouldve changed. eric bell really managed to make me almost cry in a bookstore as i read the final few chapters.
alan was really well developed, taking in the fact that he already came a long way since the first book. he was such a raw and real and human character it HURT me to see him hurt, and lifted me into the air to see him succeed.
the relationships (platonic and otherwise ;)) were all so good. introducing any kind of love interest in the second book is always hard to pull off, but i’d never seen it done better. also i did really appreciate how connor didn’t magically fit was alan wanted. alan didnt ‘get the guy’ per se, but he /did/ move on, and boy am i glad he did.
every character felt fleshed out and important.
i CANT deal with this. here are some parts of the book that only drove the point home that this really was the best thing to come to my life so far this year.
///
‘if art was breathing, i’d cry watercolours’
“you’re not my type. sorry”
“there’s more to being /gay/, you know.”
i stop and lose and lose all my forward momentum once i realize this is the first time i’ve ever referred to myself as... gay, either out loud or even in my head. like someone scratched a needle, the room stops, and i let myself soak in the word, see how it sounds, feels, tastes.
it fits.
he flips a page in his book. “sometimes people dont see anyone who’d make a good friend. except one kid, but he might not like those people.”
uh. “theres one person i think could be a good friend for me too, but i dont think he likes me either.”
“well,” he says. “thats a problem.”
“yeah.”
odin frowns. “so? youve got a good soul. you shouldnt mind showing it off.”
“youve never thought about changing the world?”
“of course i have. everyone has.”
“what would you want to do?”
“thats not important.”
“it’s important to me.” i blow a strand of hair out of my face. “tell me.”
“no,” he says. “im done blaming my brother.”
the full impact of the words slams into me all at once. he’d always blamed me for everything wrong in our family when i didnt even do anything wrong, and to hear him say this, in front of everyone—
“we’re not burning things down. we’re building things up.”
“you can do whatever you want. im staying our of it.”
“odin thompson, you are not a coward.”
///
AND SO MUCH MORE, BUT I’LL REFRAIN FROM TYPING OUT THE WHOLE BOOK
theres a scene near the end where, after alan’s extreme display of epicness, a girl named laura walks right up to him and then and there comes out as lesbian
this scene is one that really brought it home for me
eric bell totally upped my expectations for books now. his writing was magnetic. when alan laughed, i laughed. when he was angry, so was i. the biggest thing for me is when i found myself blushing along with alan.
this book totally blew me away, and anyone who HASNT read this duology is missing out on some of the best books of all time
wow
aurevoir
May 26, 2021
Świetna książka, problemów mnie niż w poprzedniej, ale i więcej optymizmu i bardzo dużo zabawnych sytuacji. Obowiązkowe must have dla wszystkich rodziców i szkolnej biblioteki!
January 16, 2021
czyli drugi tom perypetii tej postaci. Po ujawnienie swojej orientacji seksualnej, Alan musi sobie jakoś radzić z nie tolerancją w szkole. Tym razem jego prześladowcą jest nie jaki Ron, lecz dzięki wsparciu przyjaciół Alan dumnie kroczy szkolnymi korytarzami. Jego artystyczna dusza ma wreszcie szansę się uwolnić dzięki szansy wzięcia udziału w specjalnym kursie malarstwa. Niestety coś za coś. Alan musi w zamian zabrać pewną dziewczynę na bal. Jak sam tytuł głosi nasz główny bohater nie potrafi tańczyć, co jeszcze bardziej go stresuje w tej sytuacji.
🏳️🌈
Tym razem autor bardziej stara się poprowadzić książkę we weselszym tonie. Przepraszam, ale nadal nie trafię Alma jako postaci. Jest on dzieciny, dużo kwestii wyolbrzymia, robi z igły widły i irytuje mnie ogromnie. Podoba mi się motyw przełamywania strachy by dążyć do celu... I to chyba wszystko co mogę powiedzieć na plus tej książki. Osobiście przyznaje że tym razem jest nieco lepiej. Drugi tom zdecydowanie czytali się szybciej, płynniej i bez większych turbulencji. Niestety nadal nie jest to coś wybitnego. Nadal brakuje mi pokazanie prawdziwego świata. Ta książka, aż krzyczy "jestem nie prawdziwą historią". Moim zdaniem jest to mocno średnia opowieść z równie mocno średnim głównym bohaterem. Lecz mam na uwadze że 12-14 latką może ona przypaść do gustu. Ja jestem na nie i daje (5/10⭐). Standardowo zachęcam do spróbowania sowich sił, bo a nóż ktoś odnajdzie wspólny język z głównym bohaterem.
🏳️🌈
Tym razem autor bardziej stara się poprowadzić książkę we weselszym tonie. Przepraszam, ale nadal nie trafię Alma jako postaci. Jest on dzieciny, dużo kwestii wyolbrzymia, robi z igły widły i irytuje mnie ogromnie. Podoba mi się motyw przełamywania strachy by dążyć do celu... I to chyba wszystko co mogę powiedzieć na plus tej książki. Osobiście przyznaje że tym razem jest nieco lepiej. Drugi tom zdecydowanie czytali się szybciej, płynniej i bez większych turbulencji. Niestety nadal nie jest to coś wybitnego. Nadal brakuje mi pokazanie prawdziwego świata. Ta książka, aż krzyczy "jestem nie prawdziwą historią". Moim zdaniem jest to mocno średnia opowieść z równie mocno średnim głównym bohaterem. Lecz mam na uwadze że 12-14 latką może ona przypaść do gustu. Ja jestem na nie i daje (5/10⭐). Standardowo zachęcam do spróbowania sowich sił, bo a nóż ktoś odnajdzie wspólny język z głównym bohaterem.
August 8, 2022
5.0
This may be my favorite stupid gay book.
This may be my favorite stupid gay book.
July 7, 2018
I was lucky enough to get an advance read copy of this book. It was fantastic!
This is the follow-up to the first Alan Cole book (Alan Cole is Not a Coward). Now that Alan is “out” to his entire school, he’s dealing with the aftermath: bullying, uncertainty, understanding friends who don’t quite “get it,” and a new mysterious kid who may or may not hate him. Not to mention that Alan’s former bully brother may or may not still be a bully, and Alan’s parents still don’t know he’s gay. Oh, and Dad’s big promotion rests on Alan dating the boss’s daughter!
In addition to a great plot, the characters are wonderful. Alan is adorable in his endless optimism. His best friends, Zack and Madison, are slightly clueless on some things, but they are true friends. Odin is delightfully mysterious. Even the bully, Ron, is more than just a bully. I actually felt sorry for the guy... even while hating him.
This is the perfect book for any kid struggling with their identity. Not just their sexual identity, but the idea of who they are and who they want to be. How you can be the best version of yourself. How you can stand up to a bully without violence and how even small acts of kindness can change the world.
This is the follow-up to the first Alan Cole book (Alan Cole is Not a Coward). Now that Alan is “out” to his entire school, he’s dealing with the aftermath: bullying, uncertainty, understanding friends who don’t quite “get it,” and a new mysterious kid who may or may not hate him. Not to mention that Alan’s former bully brother may or may not still be a bully, and Alan’s parents still don’t know he’s gay. Oh, and Dad’s big promotion rests on Alan dating the boss’s daughter!
In addition to a great plot, the characters are wonderful. Alan is adorable in his endless optimism. His best friends, Zack and Madison, are slightly clueless on some things, but they are true friends. Odin is delightfully mysterious. Even the bully, Ron, is more than just a bully. I actually felt sorry for the guy... even while hating him.
This is the perfect book for any kid struggling with their identity. Not just their sexual identity, but the idea of who they are and who they want to be. How you can be the best version of yourself. How you can stand up to a bully without violence and how even small acts of kindness can change the world.
December 28, 2018
Alan Cole reminds me a bit of Nate from the Better Nate than Ever books and that’s a really good thing. His family is still kind of the worst and I’ll never understand that dynamic and a world in which twelve year old boys have fights and use words such as “hypercritical” and “gall” feels wholly unauthentic, but Alan’s ultimate message of fighting war with kindness wins every time.
June 5, 2022
Bardzo mocno średni ten Alan Cole nie tańczy. W kontekście poprzedniej części odrobinę lepiej polubiłam nawet Odina i rozwinięty artystyczny wątek... Jednak to nie wystarcza na wyższą ocenę.
Strasznie infantylna, czuć, że pozycja skierowana jest do młodszych czytelników, mniej więcej 12\13 lat. Co gorsze wątki queerowe zostały bardzo źle poprowadzone. Nie ulega wątpliwości, że książka uczy o tak ważnych kwestiach, jak akceptacja siebie, pogoń za marzeniami czy porusza temat przemocy w szkole. Zdecydowanie to za mało.
Na plus humor i lekki szkolny klimat.
25/52
Strasznie infantylna, czuć, że pozycja skierowana jest do młodszych czytelników, mniej więcej 12\13 lat. Co gorsze wątki queerowe zostały bardzo źle poprowadzone. Nie ulega wątpliwości, że książka uczy o tak ważnych kwestiach, jak akceptacja siebie, pogoń za marzeniami czy porusza temat przemocy w szkole. Zdecydowanie to za mało.
Na plus humor i lekki szkolny klimat.
25/52
April 10, 2020
3.5
Alan tchórzem na pewno nie jest i może nie tańczy (nie musi 😉), ale się rozwija. Tak jak pozostali bohaterowie powieści , bo najgorsze co może się przydarzyć to to, kiedy bohaterowie tkwią w miejscu. Ciepła i niegłupia to opowieść o dojrzewaniu do bycia lepszym bratem, ojcem, matka, przyjacielem. Bo wszyscy zrobili tu krok na przód. A generalnie o to w życiu chodzi.
Alan tchórzem na pewno nie jest i może nie tańczy (nie musi 😉), ale się rozwija. Tak jak pozostali bohaterowie powieści , bo najgorsze co może się przydarzyć to to, kiedy bohaterowie tkwią w miejscu. Ciepła i niegłupia to opowieść o dojrzewaniu do bycia lepszym bratem, ojcem, matka, przyjacielem. Bo wszyscy zrobili tu krok na przód. A generalnie o to w życiu chodzi.
October 12, 2018
I was so fortunate to be able to read an early copy of this book-and even in its infancy it was fantastic! But when I got my advance reader copy, I was even more impressed. Great follow-up to ALAN COLE IS NOT A COWARD.
July 2, 2021
I don't know how to rate this book. On one hand, it deserves one star more than the previous installment because I know see better, what Bell tried to achieve. On the other hand, what makes this book slightly better, makes it incredibly worse than the first one at the same time. So I'll stay with 1 star.
November 8, 2019
I was so happy when Alan and his friends were setting bullies straight and that he found someone else that loves to draw.
November 3, 2021
This is a review both of Alan Cole Doesn't Dance and Alan Cole Is Not a Coward, adapted from something I posted on another site.
Alan Cole is a 12 year old 7th grader at Evergreen Middle School. He sits at the unstable table in the cafeteria with resident weirdo Zack Kimble and resident know-it-all Madison Truman. Alan, Zack, and Madison recognize their shared loserdom but Alan doesn’t want to be friends because his older brother Nathan has terrorized and run off every other friend he has had.
The first book is about a game of CvC (“Cole versus Cole”) that Nathan challenges Alan to. CvC is a contest to complete the most tasks in a week from a list that includes things like “Give up your most prized possession” and “Stand up to dad”. Alan is not inclined to engage in such a competition (Nathan always wins), but this time there are stakes: Nathan has read Alan’s search history, and knows his younger brother is gay. He threatens to tell the whole school if Alan loses CvC or refuses to play.
That’s the first book. In the second Alan and Nathan have reached an uneasy peace, and now Alan has to grapple with more slice of life concerns, like his straight crush having a girlfriend and this new boy he finds sitting in his seat in one morning, plus contending with a homophobic bully.
I should say by way of a trigger warning that there is significant physical and emotional violence in these books. In the first Nathan is downright cruel, and in the second the new bully pretty quickly takes up that mantle. There is also a character in the second book who has apparently suffered an attack so severe that it left significant scars, though the details of what happened are not described. In both books Alan and Nathan’s father is a tin-pot tyrant who lords over not just his children but his wife.
As literature, the Alan Cole books are fun but flawed. Alan and his friends are engaging characters and there are not infrequent fun surprises and laugh out loud moments. But the world of Evergreen Middle School, like many middle grades settings, is too cutesy by half. Zack’s little tics in particular make for fun reading but correspond to no human 12-year-old I have ever met. Bell also has a tendency to tell instead of show. Most of the conflicts in the book are solved by long, emotionally intelligent monologues that make the characters sound like pubescent pop psychologists, not real middle schoolers.
As for the LGBT representation - that is very strong. Alan has no doubts that he likes boys. It does feel like a bit of hedging in the first book that he never uses the word gay to describe himself, but then he does early in the second book and it is treated as a milestone, so I can accept that as a choice on Bell’s part. Other characters have a realistic range of reactions to Alan’s sexuality, from the supportive to the clueless (one of his peers asks Alan if he shouldn’t just “try girls”) to the homophobic. The word homophobic is actually used in the text. There are gay characters besides just Alan, though all but one are only there in passing.
Yet still amid this great representation from a gay author, there is a double standard. The most prominent straight couple are described as engaged in frequent acts of “sloppy PDA” including “tongue wrestling” and “grinding on each other like a violin and its bow”. Alan gets a lip brushing and a quick peck. Of course, it’s fair to say that 7th graders playing tonsil hockey is not necessarily a good thing or a common thing, particularly in middle grades lit, but it is still notable that it is the straight couple that is doing it, not the gay protagonist and his beau.
But still, progress. I have no idea whether Eric Bell has any more Alan Cole books in him, but I hope he does. The more books we get in this space, the better.
Alan Cole is a 12 year old 7th grader at Evergreen Middle School. He sits at the unstable table in the cafeteria with resident weirdo Zack Kimble and resident know-it-all Madison Truman. Alan, Zack, and Madison recognize their shared loserdom but Alan doesn’t want to be friends because his older brother Nathan has terrorized and run off every other friend he has had.
The first book is about a game of CvC (“Cole versus Cole”) that Nathan challenges Alan to. CvC is a contest to complete the most tasks in a week from a list that includes things like “Give up your most prized possession” and “Stand up to dad”. Alan is not inclined to engage in such a competition (Nathan always wins), but this time there are stakes: Nathan has read Alan’s search history, and knows his younger brother is gay. He threatens to tell the whole school if Alan loses CvC or refuses to play.
That’s the first book. In the second Alan and Nathan have reached an uneasy peace, and now Alan has to grapple with more slice of life concerns, like his straight crush having a girlfriend and this new boy he finds sitting in his seat in one morning, plus contending with a homophobic bully.
I should say by way of a trigger warning that there is significant physical and emotional violence in these books. In the first Nathan is downright cruel, and in the second the new bully pretty quickly takes up that mantle. There is also a character in the second book who has apparently suffered an attack so severe that it left significant scars, though the details of what happened are not described. In both books Alan and Nathan’s father is a tin-pot tyrant who lords over not just his children but his wife.
As literature, the Alan Cole books are fun but flawed. Alan and his friends are engaging characters and there are not infrequent fun surprises and laugh out loud moments. But the world of Evergreen Middle School, like many middle grades settings, is too cutesy by half. Zack’s little tics in particular make for fun reading but correspond to no human 12-year-old I have ever met. Bell also has a tendency to tell instead of show. Most of the conflicts in the book are solved by long, emotionally intelligent monologues that make the characters sound like pubescent pop psychologists, not real middle schoolers.
As for the LGBT representation - that is very strong. Alan has no doubts that he likes boys. It does feel like a bit of hedging in the first book that he never uses the word gay to describe himself, but then he does early in the second book and it is treated as a milestone, so I can accept that as a choice on Bell’s part. Other characters have a realistic range of reactions to Alan’s sexuality, from the supportive to the clueless (one of his peers asks Alan if he shouldn’t just “try girls”) to the homophobic. The word homophobic is actually used in the text. There are gay characters besides just Alan, though all but one are only there in passing.
Yet still amid this great representation from a gay author, there is a double standard. The most prominent straight couple are described as engaged in frequent acts of “sloppy PDA” including “tongue wrestling” and “grinding on each other like a violin and its bow”. Alan gets a lip brushing and a quick peck. Of course, it’s fair to say that 7th graders playing tonsil hockey is not necessarily a good thing or a common thing, particularly in middle grades lit, but it is still notable that it is the straight couple that is doing it, not the gay protagonist and his beau.
But still, progress. I have no idea whether Eric Bell has any more Alan Cole books in him, but I hope he does. The more books we get in this space, the better.
February 13, 2020
Można by pomyśleć, że najtrudniejsze w życiu Alana Cole miało już miejsce – w końcu dogadał się z bratem, a całej szkole wyznał prawdę o swojej orientacji seksualnej. Okazuje się, że to dopiero początek jego kłopotów. Teraz, kiedy wszyscy już znają prawdę, chłopak musi zmierzyć się z tym, że nie wszyscy zaakceptują fakt, że jest gejem.
Alan Cole nie tańczy to książka w dużej mierze pokazująca spectrum reakcji na czyjąś odmienną od heteroseksualnej orientację. A zatem znajdziemy tam komentarze w stylu „może powinieneś umówić się z dziewczyną, aby mieć pewność, że ci się nie podobają‟, przemoc psychiczną oraz fizyczną, wsparcie, zrozumienie oraz obrońców, którzy chcąc pomóc, tylko dolewają oliwy do ognia, stając się osobami odpowiedzialnymi za poszerzanie nienawiści.
Nie jest to powieść, którą należy traktować jako oderwaną od rzeczywistości. Jeszcze w ostatnią niedzielę na Twitterze trendował hashtag, w którym można przeczytać o obawach osób ze społeczności LGTB przed publicznym trzymaniem za rękę swojego partnera/partnerki. Znalazły się tam też historie, w których ktoś spotkał się z przemocą psychiczną lub fizyczną skierowaną w nich w związku z ich orientacją seksualną. Reprezentację takich wydarzeń, które można zaobserwować na całym świecie, znajdziemy również w Alan Cole nie tańczy.
Jak już wspominałam, Bell skupia się na temacie nienawiści w bardzo szerokim kontekście. A zatem oprócz typowych prześladowców, znajdziemy tam przypadki, gdy obrońca zamienia się w dręczyciela. Co więcej w całym tym zamieszaniu, świecie pełnym nienawiści, wątpliwości oraz obaw, autor pokazuje, co jest najważniejsze i stanowi rozwiązanie: miłość. I powiem wam krótko: wow, jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem, z jaką rozwagą do tematu podszedł Eric Bell. Nie znajdziecie w tej książce jasnego podziału na biel i czerń – wszystko (jak zresztą w życiu) jest przepełnione szarościami.
Co ciekawe te ważne treści, które przekazuje Bell (bo mówi także o walce ze strachem, reagowaniu na nienawiść miłością, procesie zmiany w nastawieniu człowieka i wielu innych) wpisane są w bardzo prostą, krótką i przyjemną historię. Alan Cole ma przed sobą wizję potańcówki, na którą nie chce się wybrać. Chłopak przeżywa swoje pierwsze zauroczenie, jego przyjaciele zaczynają randkować, jego brat rozważa swoją przyszłość... Jest to historia łatwa, a zarazem wartościowa oraz niezwykle wciągająca.
Dużo dobrego robią tutaj bohaterowie. Autor poświęca uwagę nie tylko Alanowi, ale również drugoplanowym postaciom, pokazując mniej lub bardziej szczegółowo, z jakimi problemami oni się borykają. Czytelnik poznaje ich nieco lepiej, choć w niektórych przypadkach niewystarczająco. Liczyłam, że dowiemy się nieco więcej o Odinie, który pojawia się w drugim tomie Alan Cole nie jest tchórzem. Niestety tak się nie stało.
Pomijając ten wątek, jestem usatysfakcjonowana z tego, jak poprowadzono bohaterów, choć dalej nie mogę pozbyć się wrażenia, że Alan jest zbyt dojrzały jak na swój wiek. Czasami widząc, w jaki sposób się wypowiada, czułam, że nie ma szans, by coś takiego powiedział dwunastolatek... Przez większość czasu jednak dało się zapomnieć, że postacie są aż tak młode, a w mojej wyobraźni rysowali się oni jako nieco starsi, bardziej adekwatni do swoich zachowań oraz sposobu mówienia.
Historia Alana Cole'a inspiruje oraz dodaje odwagi. Jestem przekonana, że niejeden czytelnik w trakcie jej lektury uśmiechnie się, wzruszy i znajdzie motywujące cytaty pośród słów spisanych przez Bella. Gorąco polecam Wam zapoznanie się z przygodami Alana!
Alan Cole nie tańczy to książka w dużej mierze pokazująca spectrum reakcji na czyjąś odmienną od heteroseksualnej orientację. A zatem znajdziemy tam komentarze w stylu „może powinieneś umówić się z dziewczyną, aby mieć pewność, że ci się nie podobają‟, przemoc psychiczną oraz fizyczną, wsparcie, zrozumienie oraz obrońców, którzy chcąc pomóc, tylko dolewają oliwy do ognia, stając się osobami odpowiedzialnymi za poszerzanie nienawiści.
Nie jest to powieść, którą należy traktować jako oderwaną od rzeczywistości. Jeszcze w ostatnią niedzielę na Twitterze trendował hashtag, w którym można przeczytać o obawach osób ze społeczności LGTB przed publicznym trzymaniem za rękę swojego partnera/partnerki. Znalazły się tam też historie, w których ktoś spotkał się z przemocą psychiczną lub fizyczną skierowaną w nich w związku z ich orientacją seksualną. Reprezentację takich wydarzeń, które można zaobserwować na całym świecie, znajdziemy również w Alan Cole nie tańczy.
Jak już wspominałam, Bell skupia się na temacie nienawiści w bardzo szerokim kontekście. A zatem oprócz typowych prześladowców, znajdziemy tam przypadki, gdy obrońca zamienia się w dręczyciela. Co więcej w całym tym zamieszaniu, świecie pełnym nienawiści, wątpliwości oraz obaw, autor pokazuje, co jest najważniejsze i stanowi rozwiązanie: miłość. I powiem wam krótko: wow, jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem, z jaką rozwagą do tematu podszedł Eric Bell. Nie znajdziecie w tej książce jasnego podziału na biel i czerń – wszystko (jak zresztą w życiu) jest przepełnione szarościami.
Co ciekawe te ważne treści, które przekazuje Bell (bo mówi także o walce ze strachem, reagowaniu na nienawiść miłością, procesie zmiany w nastawieniu człowieka i wielu innych) wpisane są w bardzo prostą, krótką i przyjemną historię. Alan Cole ma przed sobą wizję potańcówki, na którą nie chce się wybrać. Chłopak przeżywa swoje pierwsze zauroczenie, jego przyjaciele zaczynają randkować, jego brat rozważa swoją przyszłość... Jest to historia łatwa, a zarazem wartościowa oraz niezwykle wciągająca.
Dużo dobrego robią tutaj bohaterowie. Autor poświęca uwagę nie tylko Alanowi, ale również drugoplanowym postaciom, pokazując mniej lub bardziej szczegółowo, z jakimi problemami oni się borykają. Czytelnik poznaje ich nieco lepiej, choć w niektórych przypadkach niewystarczająco. Liczyłam, że dowiemy się nieco więcej o Odinie, który pojawia się w drugim tomie Alan Cole nie jest tchórzem. Niestety tak się nie stało.
Pomijając ten wątek, jestem usatysfakcjonowana z tego, jak poprowadzono bohaterów, choć dalej nie mogę pozbyć się wrażenia, że Alan jest zbyt dojrzały jak na swój wiek. Czasami widząc, w jaki sposób się wypowiada, czułam, że nie ma szans, by coś takiego powiedział dwunastolatek... Przez większość czasu jednak dało się zapomnieć, że postacie są aż tak młode, a w mojej wyobraźni rysowali się oni jako nieco starsi, bardziej adekwatni do swoich zachowań oraz sposobu mówienia.
Historia Alana Cole'a inspiruje oraz dodaje odwagi. Jestem przekonana, że niejeden czytelnik w trakcie jej lektury uśmiechnie się, wzruszy i znajdzie motywujące cytaty pośród słów spisanych przez Bella. Gorąco polecam Wam zapoznanie się z przygodami Alana!
August 19, 2018
Thank you to Eric Bell for providing an eARC to #collabookation for review.
I'm going to start by saying if you haven't read Alan Cole is Not a Coward yet - do it. Like, stop reading this review and get a copy of Alan Cole is Not a Coward. That's your priority. I'll wait.
So now that you've done that, and read it, you're welcome. And now that Alan and his brother are ok, the family unit is working to be less dysfunctional, Alan has supportive friends, and he's admitted to his school (and crush) that he's gay, everything is wonderful, right?!?
Well, Alan is not a coward, but he is still working his way to knowing who he is. And how to be who he is. And there is still Ron, the kid who goes out of his way to torture Alan at every possible opportunity. Alan's friends, too, are trying to figure out what being gay in middle/high school can look like. All of this is to say that Alan coming out was not the end of his story. And I'm so grateful.
In Alan Cole Doesn't Dance, Alan is able to put down the defenses and struggle with who he is, what he stands for, and what is most important to him. I love love love reading male protagonists who model thoughtfulness and introspection. I don't know if boys get enough role models of that, and it's so necessary.
This book was as delightful as the first, if less suspenseful. Alan is one of my favorite mg characters, and I'm so excited to introduce him to more kids this year. He is a caring, kind, compassionate boy whose story is both intriguing and comforting. Highly recommended.
I'm going to start by saying if you haven't read Alan Cole is Not a Coward yet - do it. Like, stop reading this review and get a copy of Alan Cole is Not a Coward. That's your priority. I'll wait.
So now that you've done that, and read it, you're welcome. And now that Alan and his brother are ok, the family unit is working to be less dysfunctional, Alan has supportive friends, and he's admitted to his school (and crush) that he's gay, everything is wonderful, right?!?
Well, Alan is not a coward, but he is still working his way to knowing who he is. And how to be who he is. And there is still Ron, the kid who goes out of his way to torture Alan at every possible opportunity. Alan's friends, too, are trying to figure out what being gay in middle/high school can look like. All of this is to say that Alan coming out was not the end of his story. And I'm so grateful.
In Alan Cole Doesn't Dance, Alan is able to put down the defenses and struggle with who he is, what he stands for, and what is most important to him. I love love love reading male protagonists who model thoughtfulness and introspection. I don't know if boys get enough role models of that, and it's so necessary.
This book was as delightful as the first, if less suspenseful. Alan is one of my favorite mg characters, and I'm so excited to introduce him to more kids this year. He is a caring, kind, compassionate boy whose story is both intriguing and comforting. Highly recommended.
November 14, 2018
It’s #worldkindnessday and I’m only 20 pages from finishing this gem of a book that’s all about the power of kindness. I simply love it and I am a little sad it’s about to end. ❤️
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#AlanColeDoesn’tDance is the second book in this underrated but AWESOME series about a kid who is bullied for being gay and still manages to see the best in everyone, including his tormentor. I just adored the first book by #EricBell and I have quite a few students who did, too. Here are the strengths of this series: hilarious situations followed quite quickly by serious/sad moments that tug at your heartstrings, a trio of friends that can withstand anything, a complex family life that I rarely see represented in #mglit and a realistic story of #lgbtq🌈 acceptance and (unfortunately) homophobia. Alan Cole is one of the bravest characters in #mglit. This series belongs on every middle school library shelf. .
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#bookstagram #booklover #kindness #librariansofinstagram #bookreview
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#AlanColeDoesn’tDance is the second book in this underrated but AWESOME series about a kid who is bullied for being gay and still manages to see the best in everyone, including his tormentor. I just adored the first book by #EricBell and I have quite a few students who did, too. Here are the strengths of this series: hilarious situations followed quite quickly by serious/sad moments that tug at your heartstrings, a trio of friends that can withstand anything, a complex family life that I rarely see represented in #mglit and a realistic story of #lgbtq🌈 acceptance and (unfortunately) homophobia. Alan Cole is one of the bravest characters in #mglit. This series belongs on every middle school library shelf. .
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#bookstagram #booklover #kindness #librariansofinstagram #bookreview
April 18, 2023
Rating for the age group.
The good:
-A main character that's a little weak but not a bad person.
-Supportive cast of secondary friend characters that aren't the MC's punching bags.
-Characters are allowed to have secrets and backstories, tragic or not, that aren't used for the MC's gain.
The bad:
-The dad villain is TOO cartoony
-The female Characters, EVERY SINGLE ONE is a cut and paste mean girl. Can men PLEASE stop writing girls this way??
-The teachers are all written like a stereotype of a 1960's hippie and not...actual teachers.
3/5 cause it's...for 12 year Olds and I'm very very much not the demographic but like, I'd give this to my niece and not have an issue with it.
The good:
-A main character that's a little weak but not a bad person.
-Supportive cast of secondary friend characters that aren't the MC's punching bags.
-Characters are allowed to have secrets and backstories, tragic or not, that aren't used for the MC's gain.
The bad:
-The dad villain is TOO cartoony
-The female Characters, EVERY SINGLE ONE is a cut and paste mean girl. Can men PLEASE stop writing girls this way??
-The teachers are all written like a stereotype of a 1960's hippie and not...actual teachers.
3/5 cause it's...for 12 year Olds and I'm very very much not the demographic but like, I'd give this to my niece and not have an issue with it.
January 15, 2019
Alan Cole is an out gay middle schooler. Out at school, but not with his parents. Alan’s dad is determined to “make a man,” out of Alan, and one of his ideas is to pair Alan with his boss’s foul daughter. This is the sequel to Alan Cole is not a Coward. The first one was better as it included fewer implausible story elements such as his parents not knowing (if he’s out at school, SOMEONE is going to tell his parents -- hello Facebook), and Alan’s over-the-top macho dad who is somewhat Uncle Dursley-esque in his pursuit for a promotion. For forgiving fans of the first book who want a light read with the same characters.
February 23, 2023
Książka porusza ważne tematy m.in przemocy czy orientacji seksualnej. zdecydowanie jedna z tych książek, która sprawia, że czujecie się bezpieczni, książka jest ciepła, ale też okrutna, momentami musiałam się zatrzymywać i zastanawiać się na ludźmi, zadawałam sobie pytanie "czy naprawdę takie rzeczy się dzieją?". Jest to strasznie okropne i fatalnie się czuję z faktem, że gdzieś tam ta przemoc fizyczna jest. W książkę widzimy głównego bohatera, który pokazuję swoją siłę i chęć naprawy świata, albo chociaż jego część.
Strasznie szybko się ją czytało i miała prosty język. polecam!!!
Strasznie szybko się ją czytało i miała prosty język. polecam!!!
October 10, 2018
eric bell bashing me over the head: “odin thompson is gay”
me in the corner: “i know”
i actually think i enjoyed this one more than the first book, but i’m just a little bit outside the intended audience to enjoy it as much as i could. alan seems like a sweet kid though and i’m glad he tried to tackle bullying on an even larger scale in this book. he’s a way more courageous 12 year old than i ever was.
me in the corner: “i know”
i actually think i enjoyed this one more than the first book, but i’m just a little bit outside the intended audience to enjoy it as much as i could. alan seems like a sweet kid though and i’m glad he tried to tackle bullying on an even larger scale in this book. he’s a way more courageous 12 year old than i ever was.
April 15, 2020
„Alan Cole nie tańczy” to bardzo dobra kontynuacja pierwszej części, to świetna lekcja tolerancji i naprawdę interesująca lektura. Myślę, że warto, żeby każdy młody człowiek poznał Alana, razem z jego problemami, dylematami i marzeniami. Wczuł się w jego niełatwą sytuację, spojrzał na otoczenie jego oczami i otworzył się na to, co nieznane, inne, niepopularne...
https://korcimnieczytanie.blogspot.co...
https://korcimnieczytanie.blogspot.co...
July 25, 2021
I liked this, but not quite as much as the first one. I found some of the situations a little hard to take seriously. Things turn out a bit too neatly.
But I did like Odin Thompson very much, and the way he and Alan dance around each other) before they realize they like each other THAT way is fun to watch.
And I still like the message of how standing up for oneself and being oneself is true courage.
But I did like Odin Thompson very much, and the way he and Alan dance around each other) before they realize they like each other THAT way is fun to watch.
And I still like the message of how standing up for oneself and being oneself is true courage.
December 15, 2018
Love this book! The power Alan finds in himself to step up to bullies, defend his friends, and stand up for who he really is and his beliefs is heart-warming and inspiring. Focusing on kindness and the true identity of friendship and family, with lots of humor and great character personalities, Alan Cole Doesn't Dance follows the path of finding your identity in true middle-school style.
January 7, 2019
I seriously could not lift this down.
This book is wonderful. Anyone who is being or has been bullied should read this.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if this ends up being on a school reading list.
I wish people could just be accepted for who they are and get along. I cheered Alan as he tried to find a way to make this happen. Alan Cole rocks!
This book is wonderful. Anyone who is being or has been bullied should read this.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if this ends up being on a school reading list.
I wish people could just be accepted for who they are and get along. I cheered Alan as he tried to find a way to make this happen. Alan Cole rocks!
March 11, 2019
I really enjoyed reading about Alan's new journey and it was really funny how yesterday's enemies are today's allies. Also, I liked the fact that Alan and his friends grew up a little bit since the previous book. Quite a refreshing read, I could say. Totally made my boring Monday a little bit more fun and intriguing.
March 7, 2020
Alana Cole poznałam już jakiś czas temu, kiedy okazało się, że nie jest tchórzem. Teraz spotykamy się z nim po raz kolejny, aby dowiedzieć się, że nie tańczy. Ale czy na pewno? W końcu Alan to niesamowity chłopaka, który zdolny jest do niezwykłych rzeczy. Tym razem przeżywamy z nim stres związany ze szkolną potańcówką. Iść, czy nie iść? A jeśli iść to z kim? A może sam? Co cóż, kto z nas nie zna tego problemu. Ale spokojnie, Alan poradzi sobie wyśmienicie! Pozna kogoś nowego, osiągnie mały sukces i zrozumie, co naprawdę liczy się w życiu. W końcu Alan dorasta i dojrzewa, a więc zmieniają się też jego problemy. Niemniej, będziemy mu w tym towarzyszyć!
Alan Cole nie tańczy to lekka, przyjemna młodzieżówka z wątkiem LGBTQ+. Napisana współczesnym, prostym językiem jest wspaniałą lekturą dla młodych i tych ciut starszych. Jednak tak naprawdę pod tą lekką powłoką kryje się to, co w życiu młodych ludzi jest ważne, ale też trudne. Przyjaźń, orientacja seksualna, problemy z akceptacją siebie i byciem częścią społeczeństwa. Spełnianie marzeń, nieśmiałe próby rozwoju swoich talentów i osiągnięcia tego, o czym marzą, a o czym boją się powiedzieć głośno. To naprawdę fajna i warta przeczytania książka o młodych ludziach.
Alan Cole nie tańczy to lekka, przyjemna młodzieżówka z wątkiem LGBTQ+. Napisana współczesnym, prostym językiem jest wspaniałą lekturą dla młodych i tych ciut starszych. Jednak tak naprawdę pod tą lekką powłoką kryje się to, co w życiu młodych ludzi jest ważne, ale też trudne. Przyjaźń, orientacja seksualna, problemy z akceptacją siebie i byciem częścią społeczeństwa. Spełnianie marzeń, nieśmiałe próby rozwoju swoich talentów i osiągnięcia tego, o czym marzą, a o czym boją się powiedzieć głośno. To naprawdę fajna i warta przeczytania książka o młodych ludziach.
March 9, 2020
While this book follows the lives of 12-14 year olds, I was remarkably impressed by how universally beautiful and relatable the story was. I had not even read the first of this series and I was still captivated by what happened to little Alan Cole. Great sentimental read that seemed very true to today's social context.
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