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Peeters, F. (2008). Blue Pills: A positive love story. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

ISBN: 978-0618820993

This graphic novel/memoir tells the story of the author's relationship with his HIV positive girlfriend and her HIV positive son. This novel explores notions of illness, pity, admiration, strength and love.

Media: Pen and Ink

Subjects: HIV, Sex, Relationships, Sexual Health, Love, Commitment

Grades 10-12

Rating 5Q/5P

Literary Device: Sophisticated Language: ("a random gathering, no doubt…often the case at the time...there must have been Guyves, ensurer of the psychotropic excesses...Alex...the ensurer of intellectual excesses...that night should have been lost to oblivion, among so many others...but in many respects, it remained one of the emblems of my post-adolescence").

Theme: The theme of this book is facing and accepting challenges in relationships and life. This novel distinguishes itself from other works by presenting a challenge that cannot be "overcome." Cati and her son will always be HIV+. Thus, the characters in the book must choose how they accept the situation and continue to live their lives in the midst of  fear and illness.

Possible Challenge: A Positive Love Story discusses sex between an HIV+ woman and a HIV- man. The plot explores the possibility of not using a condom in this situation. Parents and educators could see this as supporting high-risk behavior and not want it on the shelves of a school or public library.

Blue Pills is necessary to include in library collections, however, not simply because it depicts a difficult, possible controversial real world situation but simply because it is a elegantly crafted graphic novel. The prose is both relatable and sophisticated and the dark, pen and ink illustrations complement the tone perfectly. The story is a one of love and challenges, something that resonated with readers of all ages. Further, if one chooses to address the more controversial aspects of the book, it can facilitate a discussion in a frank and honest way, without adhering to the conventionally restrictive form such discussions often take.

km 6/20/09