Books like Blackbird by Larry Duplechan
Published in 1986, Blackbird follows Johnnie Ray Rousseau, an African‑American gay high schooler in California, as he navigates the challenges of adolescence. After losing the lead role in his school’s production of Romeo and Juliet, Johnnie finds his life turning on a dime: a best friend battling a violent home environment, a girlfriend who pushes her toward first‑time intimacy, and a new romantic interest, Marshall MacNeil, who captivates Johnnie during an audition. Through turns of humor, heartbreak, and self‑discovery, the novel chronicles Johnnie’s growth and the painful yet hopeful journey toward self‑acceptance and love.
First publish date: 1986
Genre: LGBTQ+ Fiction/Gay Fiction
Authors: Larry Duplechan
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