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Bob Lind, Echo Magazine wrote on 08/23/2010:

Before returning Viet Nam after a brief leave in November 1972, Chris Landon came out as gay to his 16 year old brother, Paul, and made him promise not to tell anyone else. While Paul loved his brother, he was also somewhat jealous of his father’s constant boasting of him as the “perfect” son, which implied Paul was significantly less so. He was tempted to tell his father about Chris’ revelation, though he kept the promise he had made.

While Paul was still working through his feelings about Chris’ sexuality, the word came that Chris was killed in action, while trying to rescue several other soldiers in his unit who were injured by enemy fire. The entire family was stunned, with Paul especially upset in that he blamed his father’s constant “be a man” talks for Chris having enlisted in the first place, which resulted in his death. The emotional riff between father and son increased, as Paul was forced to work in the family pet supply store, and was not allowed to have the money or time to have much of a social life.

Meanwhile, JJ, a college student who was hired at the store, seemed to replace Chris as Paul’s father’s ideal young man, as he showed an unique ability in training aggressive dogs belonging to customers. When Paul discovered JJ was gay, he began to further resent the newcomer.

Ms. Reardon is the author of two previous novels about gay teen’s coming-of-age, but outdid herself here with a realistic and relatable story that demonstrates multiple perspectives on homosexuality. I was especially impressed by her brilliantly simplistic analogy of dog “pack mentality” to explain why some straight men react to openly-gay individuals as if they were a threat to them. Much recommended reading, and a great gift for a family going through such revelations.