Annie on my Mind

Annie on My Mind
by Nancy Garden
1982
Farrar, Strauss, Giroux
New York
ISBN: 0374303665


Plot Summary:
Liza meets Annie as both are wandering fascinated through the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Soon, they are wandering together. Their friendship blossoms into love before either of the girls fully realize it, and when they do they are forced to hide in plain sight. Liza's cat-caretaking responsibilities allow her and Annie to finally experience each other in private.
Critical Evaluation:
The novel starts out slowly, taking its time telling of Liza's and Annie's growing obsession with each other. Soon, they cannot bear to be apart, and these feelings are reflected in the story's exclusion of all others. There are few emotions, moments, or sensual description that do not emanate from one girl or the other, and the novel's descriptions work to further reveal the girls' absolute love for each other. These feelings become stifling, and the conflict near the story's end works to provide a levity to the girls' mutual adoration, allowing air to enter into the tale. It is doubtful that this is the intent of the author however, and instead just a reflection of the reader's own skittishness towards a depiction of love so intense as to become myopic.
Reader's Annotation:
Can true love really conquer all obstacles? Several months later, Liza looks back on her passionate relationship with another girl, Annie, wondering if a love even as intense as theirs is enough to overcome the prejudice, nonsense, and ignorance.
Author Info:
Nancy Garden is the author of many books for children and young adults--some non-fiction, fantasy, and mystery in addition to the more realistic romantic fiction of Annie on my Mind. She has won awards for her outspoken defenses of intellectual freedom and for her outstanding repertory of young adult books.
Genre:
Romance/ lesbianism/ YA fiction
Booktalking Ideas:
*Is Liza's thwarted letter-writing campaign to Annie a way for her to work through her confusion?
*Are Liza's guilty feelings a reasonable response to the uproar her love for Annie causes?
*Do Ms. Stevenson and Ms. Widmer serve as a healthy pair of role models for Annie and Liza? If so, then how does their decision to hide their relationship contradict this position?
Reader Level/ Interest Age:
Written with younger readers in mind, however the theme of first love against the odds should resonate with any age.
Challenges:
Potential challenges: Lesbian love amongst teenagers.
Answer to challenges: The ALA Freedom to Read policy will accompany the YA collection policy as a rational defense against any challenge. The book's ongoing place on best-of lists will also be considered.
Why Include?:
Annie on my Mind can be found on many best-of teen lit lists, as well as being an occupant on nearly every banned book YA list. My curiosity was piqued.