Now That I Know

This sophisticated young adult novel centers around ninth-grade Nina, a shy, precocious girl who lives part-time with each of her divorced parents. Though fairly well-adjusted to her parents' divorce, and even her father's homosexuality, Nina fears that closeness with her father will be sacrificed if her father's boyfriend, Greg, moves in. Nina and her father contend with their needs and feelings, and the situation results in some significant discoveries for Nina.

I don't know why so many of Norma Klein's novels are out of print, because all of the ones I have read are very well written and explore complex and important issues. "Now That I Know" is the story of 13 year old Nina whose life seems to be getting increasingly more complicated as she gets older. She has to deal with her loving but strained relationship with her divorced mother and feels like she is lagging behind her boy crazy best friend. Then she finds out that her father's relationship with his best friend isn't what she thought it was. Her discovery that her father is gay and that his partner is moving in with them is handled in a realistic fashion. I strongly recommend this book to young teens, especially those who have dealt with a parent's coming out at a time when their own sexuality is just beginning to emerge.