“She knew it was time to let go of her secret, but knowing and feeling were different…”

To Readers

Dear Reader,

Hollywood High School (HHS), my local public school, was an extraordinary education in and out of the classroom. With over forty languages spoken among the students, with so many racial heritages forming our community, with a huge spectrum of economic diversity — the usual definitions of “cool” fell away and the experience opened my world.

To those who went to HHS with me, thank you for being a part of my journey through those exhilarating, searing, confusing, affirming, high voltage years. Against all odds, once in a while, taking ourselves by surprise — we managed to “Achieve The Honorable” (our school motto).

I’m including some Book Group Questions to promote open discussion from different persepctives.

To all readers — thank you for choosing Hollywood Pride. I’m aware of how many novels are waiting to be read, and I’m grateful you picked this one.

All the best,

Amy

Book Group Discussion Questions

  1. This novel has lesbian, gay, trans, nonbinary, cisgendered, and straight characters. Have you ever wanted to understand these words, but didn’t feel safe asking?

  2. A theme of the novel is defying stereotypes. Some of the stereotypes are racial, sexual, and gender based. Some are about other kinds of assumptions. For instance, what does it say about a person if they’re a sex worker, the leader of a gang, a cheerleader, extremely academic? Have you ever felt stereotyped?

  3. A subplot in the book is based on Caroline’s growing up in the film industry. Have you ever been in an environment that was a mismatch for your authentic self? How did you navigate the situation?

  4. From the first chapter, Caroline builds a friendship group that is racially, sexually, and economically diverse. Is that sort of diversity familiar to you? Did any of the diversity described in the novel make you uncomfortable? Did any of the diversity change your view of a particular group of people?

  5. Several characters are hiding secrets — Caroline, The Duke, Valerie, Toni, Ray. As you learned about their secrets, did your feelings about the characters change?

  6. Bigotry against the LGBTQ+ community can show itself in many forms. It can be subtle, obvious, damaging, deadly. Different characters demonstrate many forms of homophobia and transphobia. Some of those characters model paths to support and acceptance. Did a particular character’s path feel meaningful to you?

  7. In the final chapter, Caroline realizes that J.D. is her “because.” What does she mean?

  8. Do you have a favorite character in the novel? What do you like about them/her/him?

  9. Hollywood Pride includes written work by several characters — Caroline, Irene, The Duke, Toni. Which was your favorite?

  10. Hollywood Pride takes place in the 1973-1974 academic year, and some of the language has changed between then and now. The author chose to capitalize the racial heritage Black, which would have been written as “black” at that time. Back then, the acronym LGBTQ+ wasn’t used; however, the author chose to incorporate “LGBTQ” in the text. The author used the term “sex workers” (now) rather than “prostitutes” (then). Since the novel deals with many issues of stereotypes, racism and bigotry targeting the LGBTQ+ community, the author had to make several choices regarding whether to use the vocabulary of then or now. Do you agree with the author’s choices? Would you have made different choices?