A question of manhood

Robin Reardon, Kensington, 352 pages, paperback, £10.99. Age 12+

Paul wants the Vietnam War to end so that his older brother Chris can come home for good. But Chris has told Paul his secret — he’s gay. When Chris is killed in action Paul is grief-stricken and haunted by the knowledge that he can’t share.

Forced to spend the summer working in the family-owned pet shop, Paul must train the new kid, JJ O’Neil. JJ surprises Paul in two ways: he effortlessly calms and trains aggressive dogs, and he’s gay. Through JJ, Paul begins to become the man he wants to be.

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