Books with title The Education of Queenie McBride

The Education of Queenie McBride is an LGBT young adult/teen novel about two friends, both still trying to find their places in the gay and lesbian world during their freshman year at college. The book is absent sexual content and profanity—but filled with evolving relationships and life changes—making it ideal for teen readers, especially LGBT high school kids who are confused or still exploring new relationships. The Education of Queenie McBride once again brings together best friends JJ and Queenie, now as college freshmen. Continuing from their private high school days as platonic roommates in author Lyndsey D’Arcangelo’s first novel, The Trouble with Emily Dickinson, JJ remains the girl of reason and responsibility, looking for a long-term love relationship. Queenie, on the other hand, initially continues with her high school ways of short, non-committal relationships and blowing off school while partying and spending her rich parents’ money. When Queenie meets Pudge, a homeless teen girl forced to live on the streets by parents who can’t accept that she is gay, her carefree attitude toward life begins to change. Queenie is determined to help Pudge, who initially is untrusting and confused—with her parents as well as with much of the world around her. Queenie finally is taking responsibility for something, an action that will change her life for the better.While Queenie is growing up, JJ, too, is changing. She has decided that Boston University isn’t the school for her. What she believed was to be a lasting relationship with her high school (cheerleader) partner has not worked out as she dreamed. Now JJ is contemplating changing schools and leaving behind her long-time friend and confidant, Queenie.

The overprivileged and overconfident Queenie McBride, who is a lesbian, feels she has life figured out, especially college. But as soon as classes begin at Boston University, she realizes that she is no longer in high school. Although she has her best friend JJ there to help keep her in line, her entire world is forever changed when she meets Pudge, a homeless LGBT teen thrown out by her parents. With the help of Izzy, a strong-headed and beautiful social worker on whom she secretly has a crush, Queenie learns how to be there for Pudge, leaving her old habits behind to become the person she's always wanted to be. Queenie's story shows how caring people can help runaway gay teens help themselves out of a tough world—and maybe fall in love along the way.