ON BOOKSHELVES

Another Kind of Cowboy

Susan Juby
(HarperTeen, $16.99, trade paperback)
****

This coming out novel for young adults could be read as a spin off of the Brokeback Mountain phenomenon, but it stakes its own individual claim. On Canada’s Vancouver Island a gay 16-year-old realizes his long held dream of becoming a dressage champion (a time-honored competition where trained horses are put through specific paces). He also comes to realize why he was always more interested in the icon of cowboys in well fitting jeans than girls on horseback. He befriends—and clues in—a spoiled rich girl with a crush on him, successfully deals with a truly weird home life, and finds a romantic partner in a heretofore casual buddy. Since this book is aimed at teenagers, its narrative is simply but eloquently told, without any great depth or revelation (and no sex that might get it pulled off school library shelves). Its attention to the finer points of equine lore is perhaps more engrossing than the neatly tied up resolutions of the various characters, but for its positive attempt in an increasingly reactionary culture to reach and teach young people—and perhaps their families—about gay teens, the author and publisher are to be highly commended. —HARRY EUGENE BALDWIN

A Little Fruitcake
A Childhood in Holidays

David Valdes Greenwood
(Da Capo Press, $14.95, hardcover)
****

This holiday treat comes just in time to stuff in a Christmas stocking or whatever you prefer. In an entertaining series of essays about the author’s childhood memories of holidays past, the author mines the David Sedaris-vein of light, witty takes on life, with the gay aspect kept low key and unassumedly natural. Greenwood’s mother, separated from her Cuban husband, is forced to bring her two sons to a little village in snowy Maine to live with her parents. His Grammy, no fairy godmother, is a terror to live under, and much of the humor stems from her grandchild, a sissy with attitude, waging annual battles with this formidable, harshly loving dictator—over his getting a requested doll for Christmas, or on how to trim a tree (his gaydar about decoration kicks in early), or wanting ice skates and a haircut like his idol, Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill. While there are some undertones of sadness at times there is little of the angst and pain one finds in the usual story of growing up gay in an uncomprehending heterosexual environment. This is mainly due to the author’s good humor and self-amused reflections on his childhood self. A tempting gift for that nephew, cousin, or neighbor kid that you’ve always speculated about. —H.E.B.

LIMITED RUN

The Lost Mummy of Hatshepsut: Adventure in the Valley of the Kings

Dr. Zahi Hawass presents his reidentification of the ancient Egyptian mummy of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, the most influential reigning queen of Egypt from 1473-1458 BC. Fri., Dec. 28. LACMA. 7 p.m. $8-$10. 323/857-6010. www.lacma.org.

Reinventing Los Angeles

Robert Gottlieb signs and presents how water politics, cars, freeways, immigration, and globalization have shaped Los Angeles, and how innovative social movements are working to make it a more livable and sustainable city. Tues., Jan. 8. Book Soup. 7 p.m. www.booksoup.com.

Ending Slavery: How We Free Today's Slaves

Kevin Bales recounts his 15-year journey in search of real world solutions to ending slavery in countries such as India and Brazil. Bales will introduce special guest Maria Suarez, an immigrant victim of sex trafficking. Wed., Jan. 9. LA LOUD at Central Library. 7 p.m. www.lfla.org/aloud.

Homo Must

Everything’s Coming Up Ethel

You’ll be swell! You’ll be great! If you celebrate Ethel Merman's 100th birthday with Nanette Fabray, Betty Garrett, and Brian Kellow, author of Ethel Merman: A Life, the entertaining and authoratative bio of the legendary entertainer. Wed., Jan. 16, 2008. 7 p.m. Book Soup. 310/659-3110. www.booksoup.com.