My Heartbeat Book

The only reason I see for awarding My Heartbeat Printz Honor in 2003 is its ultra-liberal, non-judgmental approach to teen sexuality.

The novel's premise is indeed edgy: 14-year old Ellen has only two friends - her older brother Link and his best friend Jason. Ellen has a bit of a crush on Jason, but no one acts on it until it is brought up to Ellen that the closeness between Jason and Link can only be explained by these two boys being a couple. When Ellen raises the question of her friends' homosexuality, she finds out that the boys themselves are not sure yet what they are. There is an attraction, but Link is not ready to label himself as gay, whereas Jason has slept with men, but might be attracted to girls as well. The unresolved situation between the boys leads to the breakup of their friendship. And here is where Ellen steps in and becomes Jason's girlfriend, even though she is not even sure that he is truly attracted to her.

As edgy, convoluted and messy as it all sounds, My Heartbeat is not an edgy read. Listening to the 14-year old narrator, you'd think she is not a teen girl but a middle-aged lecturer preaching free love, tolerance and acceptance. The story goes through the motions of showing that in love all labels are unnecessary, but the characters remain to be only vessels for delivering the message, never becoming real. There is no heart in My Heartbeat. Pick up Pink instead.