Annie On My Mind

Garden, N. (1992). Annie on my mind. Canada:  HarperCollins

Liza is a freshman in college now.  She is writing to Annie, whom readers are not yet sure the significance of this friend.  The story begins in flashback form of Liza reliving how it all started with Annie.  Told in first person point of view by Liza, readers are told how they met.  Liza and Annie met in a museum and feel an instant connection Liza is unable to explain.  The two girls begin a friendship and it slowly evolves to much more, with their first kiss just happening on its own, and the rush of wanting to be one skin.  Liza comes from a strict and conservative background and resists these new feelings at first.  Annie confesses she has always suspected she was gay but never knew for sure but does not want to pressure Liza into feeling a certain way.  This new lifestyle does not come easy to Liza.  She is enrolled in a private school facing financial problems, and the school is worried how the conduct of teachers and students will appear for funding.  Liza agrees to pet-sit cats for a teacher while Annie joins her.  The two of them are able to act upon their feelings for each other, being alone and away from distractions.  The girls find out two teachers from Liza’s school are actually lovers, while also being discovered themselves by the school’s secretary.  Liza must face the school board to plea her case on the matter which puts her family through shame and embarrassment she never wanted to cause.  The love story ends with Liza, now done telling her story of Annie, realizing she must speak with Annie.  The two girls connect and remember what they were told, about “truth making one free”, and feel free to love.  Nancy Garden tells Liza and Annie’s story in tasteful manner with the focus more on the girl’s connection and how they handle their relationship.  I am always burdened to read about educators making situations worse for students, painting the picture of teachers out to get students.  However, once again, we find special teachers giving words of comfort and encouragement that these two girls hold on to.  Readers will find more series and books written by Nancy Garden here:   https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/nancy-garden/214175/