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Alex Sanchez
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The God Box Kindle Edition

by Alex Sanchez (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 197 ratings
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Paul, a religious teen living in a small conservative town, finds his world turned upside down when he meets Manuel—a young man who says he’s both Christian and gay, two things that Paul didn’t think could coexist in one person. Doesn’t the Bible forbid homosexuality? As Paul struggles with Manuel’s interpretation of the Bible, thoughts that Paul has long tried to bury begin to surface, and he finds himself re-examining his whole life. This is an unforgettable book on an extremely timely topic that strives to open minds on both ends of the spectrum.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    12 years and up
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    7 - 9
  5. Lexile measure
    760L
  6. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    December 14, 2010
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  12. ISBN-13
    978-1416909002
  13. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"With candor, conviction, and compassion, Alex Sanchez dramatizes the plight of teens who struggle to balance their homosexuality and their deeply felt religious beliefs. An important, heartfelt book that deserves a wide readership." -- Michael Cart, editor of Love & Sex: Ten Stories of Truth

"Alex Sanchez evokes the crucifying experience of adolescents wrestling with their sexual identity and their identity as Christians. This book is a gift not just to teenagers, but to those who love and work with them." -- The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate, the Episcopal Church

About the Author

Alex Sanchez spent almost fifteen years working with youth. He is the author of the teen novels Boyfriends with Girlfriends, Bait, The God Box, Getting It, Rainbow Boys, Rainbow High, and Rainbow Road, as well as the Lambda Award–winning middle-grade novel So Hard to Say. Lambda Literary Foundation honored Alex with an Outstanding Mid-Career Novelists’ Prize. He lives in Thailand and Hollywood, Florida. Visit him at AlexSanchez.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004A90A8Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (December 14, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 14, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 656 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 197 ratings

About the author

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Alex Sanchez

Alex Sanchez

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I'm the author of cool, sometimes controversial teen books, including the Rainbow Boys trilogy, The God Box, Getting It, and the Lambda Award-winning middle-grade novel So Hard to Say. My novel, Bait, won the Florida Book Award Gold Medal for YA fiction. My newest book is the graphic novel from DC Comics, You Brought Me the Ocean. I received my master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Old Dominion University and for many years worked as a youth and family counselor. Visit me at www.AlexSanchez.com.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
197 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

carmine mangione
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing writing, heartfelt
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2023
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To me, this is a story of the abuse raising a child in a fundamentalist religion. The programming to make children hate themselves. 10% off makes and 4% of males are queer.
These religious people are causing real harm.
They spend hours debating text in poorly at best or maliciously translated texts of dubious origins.
How much better would they be served by discussing at, literature, creating music, math or any thing useful.
Alex is an amazing writer. Read everything he writes. I love this book but it is depressing.
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William Krick
5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive and Smart
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2007
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I like Alex Sanchez's writings, and this latest one is probably one of the best because it handles a difficult subject sensitively and yet with a great deal of knowledge but also with some great humor ("did I miss the small print" in reference to John 3:16). Using the "proof-texters" own weapons, Sanchez defeats them at every turn (not that they would ever admit defeat--the Pharisees never did, and the modern ones don't either). I think the story deals with issues that adults need to face as well--if you're a person of any faith, do you have to be literal-minded and closed to any other point of view? Sanchez says "No." From the youth's point of view, it was very well done, and reminded me of so many people whom I have met (as well I myself) who ran into these personal confrontations. The young man who told me: God Loves you. When I replied, "That's not the question; I know God loves me," he responded, "What is the question?" I said, "The question is do YOU love me?" He immediately left. This is the reality these people reflected in the rigidity of Elizabeth & Cliff never deal with--they might be 110 years old with minds cast in stone, but this is what one meets in the world--the sadness of it is underscored. I would like to tell these people they (can't or don't) read Jesus' comments about them: You stand in the gates to hell and make converts twice the sons of hell as you yourselves (not an exact quote, but the meaning is the same). And the obvious results are not always as nice as given in this book--i.e., Matthew Shepherd and the boys in Alabama, etc. Sanchez does a very good job of tying this together in bringing these two very sincere (and devout) boys into a sense of what it really means to have faith and to love. I highly recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
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Michael G. Connolly Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR ALL YOUNG & OLD
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2007
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This book without a doubt has to be one if not the best book I have ever read. I have had major doubts about being a GAY CHRISTIAN throughout my life and that has brought me a terrible amount of mental pain. I picked up this book to read and I just found it mind blowing the bibical information this book reveals as to how GOD meant the scruptures to read not how anti-gay humans try to brainwash homosexuals to think what they mean. Let me say. When I finished this book I felt a huge burden removed from my mind and shoulders. Tears rolling down my checks. For the first time in my life I felt free to be who I really am. To be who God made me to be. I am at so much peace and to know I AM a GAY CHRISTIAN just as God made me to be. Please, anyone from 8 to 80 years old who have been fighting this battle, I am 62. Get a copy of this book and read it. As a bonus, this book has a heartwarming story that is easy to follow and will keep your full attention throughout from cover to cover.
The author Alex Sanchez hit the bulls eye with this great book. Rating this book 5 stars is a insult. I give it 10 stars at least. Amen
6 people found this helpful
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KMG
4.0 out of 5 stars Coming From an Outsider
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2009
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"The God Box" was about Paul (Pablo) and coming to terms with whether or not he's actually gay. The Christian belief (atleast in that small town) is that being gay is sinful, yet how can it be sinful if it's just a matter of falling in love?

"The God Box" is loaded with challenges- Can you test god? Can you test your faith? Can you test what's in your heart and learn to be honest with yourself- regardless of what others think?

Now, I titled this "coming from an outsider" because I'm just an avid reader. I am not gay, I'm not a teenager, and I'm not a believer in a god of any kind. However, because I love to read, I've read the Bible and I can respect it very much- as well as respect the faiths of those who are able to hold tight to their own personal beliefs. Religion is personal- reading books... not so much.

So, now that you have a bit of a background on me- I hope that it will colour what I have to say next.

WHAT I LOVED:
-Paul and Manuel's characters were VERY well developed. Angie, Pa and Abuelita's were also VERY strong characters. I could picture them in my head, even though I don't think they actually were physically described in much detail in the book.

-The journey that Paul was taken on through Manuel. The inner turmoil that Paul was going through while deciding if he wanted to take action or not

-The dialogue with Paul and his Abuelita. I think she is my favorite character.

-The descriptions and the arguments during Bible study classes. Fair to see BOTH sides of the story- and to keep true to each of the characters' opinions (didn't waver)

-The discussions between Manuel and Paul about if it was sinful to be gay and Christian. I love religious debates and love hearing BOTH sides and many different viewpoints.

-The ending. Very good. Brought a tear to my eye!

WHAT I COULDN'T GET OVER:
-The story jumped RIGHT in. Page one, there was already the inner turmoil. I think it would have been better if we got to know Paul and Angie at least a little bit before he started to "change". This book was about learning to accept- but it seemed like we "met" Paul when he was already learning to accept. Maybe a little more background would have been helpful?

-The instant reaction to Manuel. Is it really like that? I know that when I see someone for the first time, no matter how handsome or energetic he is, I don't necessarily feel a "pull" toward him immediately. My mind doesn't instantly go to what it would feel like to touch his skin.

-The reactions from the anti-gay guys. (turned out in the end, there was a sob story there too- I hated learning that part) It was just so dramatic. Maybe it's because it was such a small town? I know many gay guys and girls in my area and nothing like that EVER happened. Not since, like, the 80s.

Even though it is technically a teen book, "The God Box" can be enjoyed by any age group and any sexuality. It's about attraction and acceptance. About romance and honesty. About faith and truth. Even if you're not religious, like me, it is still interesting to read what people choose to hold so dear to their hearts. It is intense to see inside their minds and try to understand and to feel what they do.

I think everyone can relate to this story- regardless of your own life choices.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ismael
5.0 out of 5 stars Autor muy atento
Reviewed in Mexico on November 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
Lo compré para un hermano, y al parecer hasta contactó al autor del libro y le respondió, muy atento... excelente libro altamente recomendado
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Grace
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite reads ever!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2019
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I didn't expect much from this book when I ordered it, but I am so glad I did. It's an interesting perspective on how religion and sexuality can very much exist together, and those different interpretations of the bible are outlined in the book. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who is either struggling to accept their sexuality because of their religious beliefs, or someone who wants to understand how the two can exist in harmony as well as for just a great read! It is well written and thoroughly enjoyable.
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Jean-Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 STARS.
Reviewed in Italy on July 31, 2016
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WHAT A LOVELY BOOK!

"What's your will for me now, Lord?"
If the answer doesn't come, I remind myself of Psalm 46: Be still and know that I am God.
And I try to wait patiently, taking hold of Manuel's hand.

This novel truly did inspire me and make me sigh peacefully and fill me with ease. Darlings were Angie and the Grandma Abuelita and the other characters in this wonderful story rich in biblical golden references.
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Emma Givens
5.0 out of 5 stars An honest, enlightening read
Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2014
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This is the second book I've read by Alex Sanchez and I don't think I've ever seen another author be so honest and vulnerable in his storytelling. The God Box is fiction at its best. It brings you into the minds and lives of characters and situations so real that the reader empathizes with them and it forever alters their own thoughts and behaviours. If you can approach this story with your mind open even a sliver, Sanchez will pry it wide through the honest prose, emotions, and questions within. I would recommend this book to those simply looking for a great story, and especially those seeking to better understand their own ideas about religion, love and morality. Through the character Paul's own vulnerable and courageous search for answers, you might just stumble upon some life-altering conclusions of your own.

I would give it 6 stars if I could. I think every high school and public library - especially in North America - should own a copy.
Thank you, Alex Sanchez, for writing this book.
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Snorkeling
5.0 out of 5 stars tieferschürfend
Reviewed in Germany on August 7, 2014
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Paul ist tief religiös und fühlt sich zu Jungs hingezogen, was ihn in einen rechten Gewissenskonflikt bringt, denn verurteilt nicht die Bibel solche Gefühle vehement? Von seiner texanischen Kleinstadt und seinen Mitschülern ganz zu schweigen. Als ein neuer Mitschüler, Manuel, an die Schule kommt, verkompliziert sich Pauls Welt erst recht, denn einerseits ist Manuel ebenfalls tief religiös, andrerseits ist er offen schwul. Wie geht das zusammen?
Obwohl Paul vor Manuel zurückschreckt, aus Furcht, die Umwelt könnte sich was dabei denken, fühlt er sich stark zu ihm hingezogen, und sei's nur, wegen der hitzigen Diskussionen um ihnen beiden wichtige Dinge. Im Lauf seines letzten Schuljahres wirbelt die immer engere Freundschaft mit Manuel Pauls bisheriges Leben stark durcheinander, aber die z.T. schmerzhaften Erfahrungen lassen Paul reifen und seinen Weg finden. Und er lernt auch, dass das, was tatsächlich in der Bibel steht und das, was die z.T. sehr engstirnigen Vertreter der Kirchen lehren, machmal so gar nicht zusammengehen, Christ sein aber nicht zuletzt bedeutet, erst mal zu sich selbst zu stehen.
"The God Box" ist eine sehr keusche Liebesgeschichte, v.a. aber ist sie eine Geschichte über Freundschaft und über die Vereinbarkeit - oder Unvereinbarkeit - von Christsein und der eigenen sexuellen Orientierung, wenn se nicht der "Norm" entspricht. Grade diese Auseinandersetzung fand ich sehr spannend, denn Alex Sanchez macht es seinem Helden und sich selbst nicht einfach. Grade die tiefe Religiosität der Figuren macht die Geschichte faszinierend, das trifft man sonst nicht so schnell in M/M-Geschichten...
Als Romance würde das Buch vermutlich nicht über drei Sterne hinauskommen (da hat Getting it definitiv mehr, obwohl die zwei Protagonisten wirklich nur Freunde werden/sind), aber der eigentliche Motor der Geschichte, die Auseinandersetzung zwischen Christ-sein und Schwul-sein hebt es für mich auf fünf Sterne.
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