Rating: 
Summary: Don't Pass Go, Buy This Book!
Review: A worthy follow up to Rainbow Boys, Alex Sanchez's new book, Rainbow High, picks up mere weeks after the first story left off, continuing to chronicle the lives of three gay teens in their senior year of high school. The boys, Nelson, Kyle, and Jason, all come from fairly different backgrounds, but share a common thread as they come to terms with the sexual orientation. Nelson, who is (if you'll pardon the pun) a drama queen, awaits results from his HIV test after an unprotected encounter in the previous book. His lifelong best friend, Kyle, has finally nabbed the "boy of his dreams," but faces an uncertain future as college looms. Jason, the jock basketball star, must face the slow realization of his own feelings and the reality of them becoming public. Set in suburban Alexandria, Virginia, Rainbow High invites the reader to become a part of the story, as though the next real phone call could be one of the boys calling for advice. Sanchez's writing style has only continued to blossom and grow with this latest writing effort as he brings to bear his professional experience as a trained counselor and combines it with a strong emotional awareness and thoughtful presentation of his characters and their lives. Though the story is clearly written to be accessible to young readers, it is equally enjoyable for a more mature audience, with a fresh, light perspective so often lacking in gay fiction. Lastly, and a true testament to Sanchez's skill as a writer, this sequel stands equally well on its own as an independent story. Though Rainbow Boys provides the back-story, it is not necessary to read the stories sequentially to enjoy them. Rainbow High is a great read and I highly recommend it. -- Andrew Barriger, author of Finding Faith.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Sequel
Review: Alex Sanchez deserves a tremendous amount of praise for writing such an excellent sequel to his immensely popular Rainbow Boys. Two of Alex's signature writing methods shown through this time, too. Those being his succinct writing style and the rotation of the chapters where we get the point of view from Jason, Kyle, then Nelson. By writing about three distinct personalities, Mr. Sanchez gave us a perfect way to easily follow their lives. And, whereas I felt the most for Jason in the first novel, this time I seemed to focus more on what Kyle was going thru. Perhaps this is what Alex wanted us to experience, I'm not sure. Regardless, his writing method worked. Despite giving this story 5 stars, I felt that the interruptions that kept the boys from being intimate with others was a bit contrived. I believe that his boys should have been given more moments to be together (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) than the single instance between Kyle and Jason that was depicted (which was very tastefully done, BTW). Otherwise, the various interactions amongst the characters (boys and girls) was spot on. Speaking as a writer and not as a reader, I have to say that one of the best parts of the construction of this story is how Mr. Sanchez builds the tension and conflict level as it progresses. Alex, you know what you're doing! It kept me turning the pages to find out how the different situations would be resolved. And it's the end that leads me to think that this will be a trilogy at some point. Since one of the characters doesn't get his due yet, and Alex's stories are always upbeat, I hope he will continue the series to a positive conclusion. Thanks, Alex, for your new contribution to our literature.
Rating:
Summary: It changed My life.
Review: All I have to say is that this book made me come out. It's a great story, and all the little episodes that rainbow boys are going through seem well known to me (and I'm sure other gay teenagers too). It's definite 5 in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: A great continuation
Review: Continuing from the successful "Rainbow Boys", "Rainbow High" follows Nelson, Jason, and Kyle through most of their senior year in high school as they look forward to their futures after graduation, but will they all be together? Nelson struggles with having an HIV+ boyfriend, while Jason and Kyle work through the beginnings of their relationship. Kyle is hesitant to decide on a college until he knows where Jason is heading. Jason, meanwhile, decides to come out to his basketball coach and team, but this could jeopardize his scholarship, or will it? This young adult novel explores friendship and dating in these characters' lives, and paints a hopeful picture of being young and gay. While the story does gloss over much of the emotional intricacies of the teens, "Rainbow High" is a delight to read. Like in his first book, Sanchez also includes resources for gay youth after the story's conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Will make you think, laugh, cry and --- most importantly ---
Review: Graduation is approaching for Kyle, Jason and Nelson, and this time is full of difficult decisions. Jason, a star basketball player, is unsure how the basketball team will react to his announcement that he is gay. Nelson, who has been out and proud for years, is worried that he may have contracted the HIV virus --- but when he starts seriously dating an HIV-positive boy, he is not sure how to feel. Brainy Kyle has his choice of colleges, but going to the school that will give him the most opportunities to succeed will mean leaving his love, Jason. Jason and Kyle's relationship is put to the test when Jason breaks the news publicly that he and Kyle are dating; Kyle wasn't ready for Jason's announcement. Each decision has benefits and consequences, and each boy will have to make his decision on his own. RAINBOW HIGH is a thoughtful and honest portrayal of gay teen life, neither sugarcoated to form happy endings nor constantly despairing about the problems of being a gay teen. While on the surface Jason, Kyle and Nelson fit everyday high school stereotypes, each is a complex, likeable character with very real questions and concerns. Alex Sanchez also has an ear for dialogue and infuses the book with humor, balancing the seriousness of the boys' situations. Whether you're straight, gay or otherwise, this is an important book, one that will make you think, laugh, cry and --- most importantly --- question. --- Reviewed by Carlie Webber
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!!!!!
Review: I am not gay but I was so in love with Rainbow Boys when I checked it out of the librarry 1 day that I read the book in a hour. Along with the first one, the second one is amazing, I have never read 2 such amazing books!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I discovered Rainbow Boys earlier on in the year, read and adored it, but it was Rainbow High that sealed my love for these characters in these books. Alex Sanchez writes realistically with a beautiful voice that had me in tears (of joy, sadness, or being able to see the boys that I know in Kyle, Jason and Nelson's respective personalities). I'm about to enter my senior year of high school, so I know that Sanchez remembers perfectly what high school was like; he captures it so well. Few books make me feel the emotions that Rainbow High and Rainbow Boys have made me feel, and that is the ultimate compliment I can pay to these amazing novels.
Rating: 
Summary: No way as good as the first book. Too leaden and patronizing
Review: I loved Rainbow Boys and was very excited for the sequel. But this second book was very plodding and patronizing. It treats readers like idiots just moving on from one gay issue to next in a manner similar to a really boring game of connect the dots. Its like a bad soap opera where the obvious just keeps happening. I know the audience is gay teens - but they're not idiots. Its a shame because I fell in love with the characters in the first book - and half-way through this sequel - i just didnt care anymore. Shame.
Rating:
Summary: Must have Book for Therapists that treat teens.
Review: I read and used Rainbow Boys for the past year in my clinical practice. I just completed Rainbow High this past weekend. It is a very good serial edition, and can stand alone as an independent novel. In my clinical perspective, and as an educational tool, they are excellent because they exemplify very real day, real-time dilemmas that both str8 and gay students experience in their development. I believe they can be used as both bibliotherapy or as a basis for creating a GSA (Gay-Staright-Alliance) because the resolutions to the book's conflicts involves learning from both sets of students, parents, and teachers. This common pragmatic approach is what we need to teach. In other words, there is teen angst; but angst with ultimate hope and adult help. In addition, the portrayal of gay teens is much wider then the stereotypes that are firmly entrenched in ultra-conservative communities. I commend Alex Sanchez for sharing his characters and plot lines with us. From an educational perspective, they are very readable for a wide variety of student abilities. If you are a parent, please take some time and read Rainbow High. Weither your teen is str8 or gay, you will get an insight into the priorities they try to balance and the choices they want to make with or without our guidance.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!!!!!
Review: I read both Rainbow Boys, and Rainbow High in the space of two days. I think the highest praise I can give an author is at the end of a book when "I want more". And I wanted more. Hopefully Mr. Sanchez will continue on with the story's of these 3 guys. If how he presents being a gay teen in his novels is true, then times have changed for the better, but there is still much work to be done. One of the things that struck me as true was the different ways each of the three boys were treated as they "came out". Nelson, who was always out, still has to bear the brunt of teasing and physical attacks. Even his understanding mother draws the line when he falls in love with an HIV+ guy. When Jason starts to come out, while he still has obstacles, he is treated with more respect because he is a star athlete. Kyle, while still an athlete, still has to endure the taunts and bullying and was surprised to find out that Jason got off so easy. I also liked the subtle treatment of homophobia in the novels. The contrast between how Jason's and Kyle's two coaches approached the situation was very well handled. One coach firmly supported Kyle, but also warned that there would be repercussions and went so far as to have an intervention with the team. Kyle's coach, on the other hand chose to ignore the problem and went so far as to blame Kyle for being the victim. "If he hadn't come out, this wouldn't be happening." etc. I also thought the physical interactions were handled well and not too graphic, which may have taken away something from the novel if they had been explicit. The author spent more time describing how electric hand holding and kissing were for the boys, than the actual sexual acts, which was suitable for a novel aimed at a younger audience.
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