Femme (Sidestreets)

"I fully enjoyed reading the story of Sofie finding out what she wants out of life. Mette Bach approaches the story in a very believable, non-judgmental way and handles all sides of the story with the utmost care. All characters are painted as realistically as possible. There are no true villains and no heroes . . . It is one of the better 'coming out' books I have read in YA lit . . . This book presents the reality and prepares students for the same experience from many different perspectives . . . Fantastic and well-written, this book will find its way into my hi-lo collection on my next book order. Highly recommended."--Mandy Peterson,"Librarian at Schuyler Central High School" (03/28/2015)

"I really enjoyed this title, and would probably try others in the series. The main character's struggle with her sexuality was believable and the romance between the two girls was really sweet and supportive. Although hard to read, the bullying aspect was realistic."--Amber Mann,"Educator at AEA 267, NetGalley Reviewer" (04/06/2015)

"[A] realistic portrayal of a person coming to terms with her own sexuality . . . [A] good read for teens."--Meg Eubank,"Educator at Bucks County Community College, NetGalley Reviewer" (05/03/2015)

"It felt very authentic to me, and I loved Sofie's character growth . . . Definitely a great read for high school students struggling with their identities and wondering what lies after high school."--Jancee Wright,"Librarian at ITT Technical Institute, NetGalley Reviewer" (04/28/2015)

"This is a great story of two girls finding themselves and love. The author handled the delicate LGBT issues of coming out as a teen, coming out to your parents, being bullied by classmates, and finding your inner courage beautifully. I look forward to more from this author."--Michelle Parks,"Librarian at Pascagoula School District" (05/06/2015)

"[B]oth heart breaking and exciting . . . I highly recommend this book . . . I adored it."--J. Hooligan,"NetGalley Reviewer" (05/18/2015)

""Femme"'s cultural relevance cannot be overstated; it tocuhes upon LGBTQ youth, cyberbullying, and the omnipresence of social media and its effect on teens. Bach combines these elements in a narrative that is fast-paced, realistic, highly enjoyable, and, most importantly, never contrived or preachy... "Femme" will appeal not only to young people dealing with issues of sexual orientation, but to anyone confronted with the thrill - and fear - of embarking on a new chapter in life."--Andrea (Drea) Schnell, "Quill & Quire, starred review "

"[Femme] is tastefully done, not giving parents a lot to complain about while still giving students an idea about what other kids have gone through when coming out . . . It's something I could easily add to my junior high library without wondering if I'll have to pull it later. Great story, likeable, strangely mature characters."--Alyssa Campbell,"Librarian at Munroe Junior High School, NetGalley Reviewer" (05/20/2015)

"A coming out story with a happy ending...There is much to admire in this novel. The importance of teachers and role models in supporting young people as they struggle to find themselves is emphasized."--Joan Givner, "Resource Links "

"Moving and delightful."--Max Thornton,"NetGalley Reviewer" (06/28/2015)

Academics have never been Sofie’s strong point; she’s too busy spending all of her free time with her boyfriend, Paul, the captain of her high school’s soccer team. When her English teacher implements a new program that pairs her with straight-A student Clea, Sofie worries about how Paul will react to her hanging out with the only openly lesbian girl at school. Sofie is as surprised as Paul at how close she and Clea quickly become.
   When Sofie discovers that Clea is planning a road trip to check out some colleges over the winter break, she invites herself along, causing more issues with Paul. It’s only after a college student asks if Sofie identifies as a “femme” lesbian that she starts to question her own sexuality and her relationship with both Clea and Paul.