Books like Blackbird (Little Sister's Classics) by Larry Duplechan
Blackbird tells the story of Johnnie Ray Rousseau, a high‑school sophomore in southern California who finds himself unexpectedly disillusioned after losing the lead role in his school's production of *Romeo and Juliet*. While grappling with this setback, he must also contend with the violent injury of his best friend, the pressure from his girlfriend to cross a personal boundary, and the awkward yet alluring presence of Marshall MacNeill, whom he meets at an audition. Through humor and honesty, the novel explores Johnnie’s journey toward adulthood, his coming‑to‑terms with his sexual identity, and the complexities of navigating friendships and love as an African‑American gay teen.
First publish date: May 2006
Genre: LGBTQ+ Fiction/Gay Fiction
Authors: Larry Duplechan
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