Grade 5 Up-- An estimated one in ten teenagers is homosexual. This book addresses the other nine. The Cohens discuss emotions, attitudes, and facts that shape our perceptions of gay and lesbian people in America today. One informative chapter answers questions "you would be to embarrassed to ask," such as "Is it catching?" and "What should I do if a gay person comes on to me?" Another chapter gives a short history of social attitudes toward homosexuality. There is a frank discussion of the spread of AIDS and, at the back of the book, an annotated list of films, books, and videos. Interviews with teenagers who are struggling to come to terms with their sexual orientation help straight readers understand the realities that their gay and lesbian counterparts face. In trying to address the subject on a teenager's level, the Cohens have used some highly charged language (Oscar Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, is referred to as an "upper-class twerp"). Statements such as, "Being gay is a social disaster. Who wants to be known as "the faggot's friend?", while intended to show that the authors understand teens' feelings, also sell readers short. Elaine Landau's Different Drummer (Messner, 1986) offers a more even-toned presentation of similar material. Unique to the Cohens' book is an excellent and thorough discussion of religion and homosexuality.