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Whistle Me Home
Although Noli Brown and TJ Baker are practically soulmates and both agree that they love each other, TJ wonders if he can truly love Noli in the way he is supposed to as he is gay and struggles with his feelings and wonders about how Noli would react if she were to find out.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Barbara Wersba
41 books15 followersBarbara Wersba was born in Chicago, moved to California, and then to New York City. She attended Bard College, and after graduating returned to Greenwich Village to study acting with Paul Mann. She received an honorary doctorate from Bard. In 1994, Wersba founded The Bookman Press, a small-press publishing company. She lives in Sag Harbor, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 14, 2020
This concise but well-crafted novel deals sympathetically and with sensitivity important issues concerning teen relationships.
Seventeen year old Noli, is astounded when TJ, a new boy at school, selects her to be his girlfriend. During their five-month involvement, TJ is the ideal companion, but Noli fails to comprehend why he does not seem to want a sexual relationship with her.
One night, after a succinct endeavour at physical relationship, Noli realizes TJ is gay. When he discloses he forever has been that way but was trying to transform himself, Noli flies into a wrath. In the weeks that follow, Noli is anesthetized with angst and her hitch with drinking worsens.
She is forced to join AA and manages to relinquish drinking, start new friendships, and move toward healing her damaged relationship with her mother. Noli refuses TJ’s attempt at a platonic friendship, realizing she needs more time to restore to health.
In the end, Noli begins to forgive TJ, believing she might love again, and TJ is happy with a new boyfriend.
TJ is an interesting character—excelling at everything but being true to himself. His struggles for self-acceptance and his grief over the loss of his friendship with Noli will touch readers.
This is a novel with characters that are three-dimensional. The protagonist Noli is likeable, though given to cruel, angry outbursts. Teens will relate to her experience of falling in love and being hurt, the overwhelming joy and the sharp disappointment.
It is almost effortless to empathize with both characters’ quandary, which is why this book is so advisable. The beautiful cover photograph of two teens walking in the woods reflects the emotional tone of the story.
Seventeen year old Noli, is astounded when TJ, a new boy at school, selects her to be his girlfriend. During their five-month involvement, TJ is the ideal companion, but Noli fails to comprehend why he does not seem to want a sexual relationship with her.
One night, after a succinct endeavour at physical relationship, Noli realizes TJ is gay. When he discloses he forever has been that way but was trying to transform himself, Noli flies into a wrath. In the weeks that follow, Noli is anesthetized with angst and her hitch with drinking worsens.
She is forced to join AA and manages to relinquish drinking, start new friendships, and move toward healing her damaged relationship with her mother. Noli refuses TJ’s attempt at a platonic friendship, realizing she needs more time to restore to health.
In the end, Noli begins to forgive TJ, believing she might love again, and TJ is happy with a new boyfriend.
TJ is an interesting character—excelling at everything but being true to himself. His struggles for self-acceptance and his grief over the loss of his friendship with Noli will touch readers.
This is a novel with characters that are three-dimensional. The protagonist Noli is likeable, though given to cruel, angry outbursts. Teens will relate to her experience of falling in love and being hurt, the overwhelming joy and the sharp disappointment.
It is almost effortless to empathize with both characters’ quandary, which is why this book is so advisable. The beautiful cover photograph of two teens walking in the woods reflects the emotional tone of the story.
January 2, 2012
Noli is in love with the new boy in town, TJ. They meet in English class on the first day of school and are immediately inseparable. Noli has a difficult family life and TJ makes her want to be a better person – to stop drinking, stop fighting with her parents and just be happier in general. TJ has had a difficult past as well, but he doesn’t reveal much of it other than to say that he’s finished with certain self destructive behaviors now. Although Noli is incredibly attracted to TJ there are all sorts of signs that he doesn’t feel the same way about her – she’s a close friend, but he doesn’t desire her. Things fall apart when Noli’s parents go away for the weekend and Noli tries to seduce TJ. She accuses him of being gay, and she’s right. TJ admits it. They have a huge horrible fight and both are miserable afterward, but Noli is determined to keep TJ away from her.
She eventually comes to terms with him being gay, and gets involved in Alcoholics Anonymous when her drinking gets out of control. The group helps her get some perspective on her own life and cope with her problems. TJ makes several attempts to re-friend Noli, but she’s pretty adamant that she wants nothing to do with him. It ends a bit unevenly – Noli and TJ meet up and Noli tells him that they can’t be friends ever because she still loves him. Noli does eventually come to a better understanding of what it means to be gay, though – initially she thinks it’s some kind of choice that TJ’s made, but she discovers that it’s just the way that he was born.
The storyline is a bit obvious – hopefully kids today are more comfortable and accustomed to talking about homosexuality and they’ll see this *surprise* coming from the get go. But if they aren’t and they don’t, the book does paint a more positive picture of what it means to gay. It is, however, a pretty short treatment, and there are many other books that do a better job of talking about it and teasing out the different perspectives. Still, for an introduction and a place to start (and a short fast read), this one isn’t so bad.
She eventually comes to terms with him being gay, and gets involved in Alcoholics Anonymous when her drinking gets out of control. The group helps her get some perspective on her own life and cope with her problems. TJ makes several attempts to re-friend Noli, but she’s pretty adamant that she wants nothing to do with him. It ends a bit unevenly – Noli and TJ meet up and Noli tells him that they can’t be friends ever because she still loves him. Noli does eventually come to a better understanding of what it means to be gay, though – initially she thinks it’s some kind of choice that TJ’s made, but she discovers that it’s just the way that he was born.
The storyline is a bit obvious – hopefully kids today are more comfortable and accustomed to talking about homosexuality and they’ll see this *surprise* coming from the get go. But if they aren’t and they don’t, the book does paint a more positive picture of what it means to gay. It is, however, a pretty short treatment, and there are many other books that do a better job of talking about it and teasing out the different perspectives. Still, for an introduction and a place to start (and a short fast read), this one isn’t so bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2008
At times, compelling; at times, maddeningly cliché.
But always completely emo.
It's the story of an unstable alchoholic seventeen-year-old girl who falls in love with a boy who doesn't really like girls. Y'know...in that way.
I've never been an alchoholic seventeen-year-old girl ("unstable" can be argued, I guess), but I have been on the other side of the equation before. It ain't fun. But it isn't quite as torturous as Wersba makes it out to be.
Wersba can seem like little more than the poor woman's Judy Blume, but it's still kinda sad that the majority of her novels have been out of print for decades. Run Softly, Go Fast was one of my favorite novels as a teenager, and one that I'm still fond of as I push my way towards 30.
And so, I'll always read a Wersba novel if I'm ever lucky enough to come by one.
But always completely emo.
It's the story of an unstable alchoholic seventeen-year-old girl who falls in love with a boy who doesn't really like girls. Y'know...in that way.
I've never been an alchoholic seventeen-year-old girl ("unstable" can be argued, I guess), but I have been on the other side of the equation before. It ain't fun. But it isn't quite as torturous as Wersba makes it out to be.
Wersba can seem like little more than the poor woman's Judy Blume, but it's still kinda sad that the majority of her novels have been out of print for decades. Run Softly, Go Fast was one of my favorite novels as a teenager, and one that I'm still fond of as I push my way towards 30.
And so, I'll always read a Wersba novel if I'm ever lucky enough to come by one.
Read
January 14, 2013Noli meets TJ when he moves to her town at the beginning of their senior year. Almost immediately, the two are inseparable - soulmates, Noli feels. But gorgeous TJ hides a secret...and when their relationship doesn't progress the way Noli thinks it should, she starts to worry. When she finds out TJ is gay, her life shatters. Drinking, something she had used previously to escape from her mother, becomes her sole way of coping.
October 6, 2008
This is my favorite Barbara Wersba book! It is heartbreakingly beautiful and gives real nuanced consideration to intimate relationships between two people when one is experiencing a shift in their sexual orientation.
May 31, 2015
Teen title banned in Carroll County.
Girl dates boy, turns out he is gay.
Long Island.
Good.
Girl dates boy, turns out he is gay.
Long Island.
Good.
February 28, 2012
Noli Brown is struggling with high school and home life. As she start to fall in love with TJ Barker her world begins to change. However, when their romance falls apart, TJ tells Noli that he is gay. Hurt and upset, and feeling like she has been used Noli starts a new transformation. She starts to change and become a new person and in the end, she must confront TJ.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I don't dislike it but at the same time I don't like it. I sympathize with the protagonist Noli and the hard ships she goes through. I think it is well written and the voice is believable. My problem is the strong language and the idea, according to TJ, that one is born homosexual. I know I'll probably get land blasted for saying this, but I know that, that isn't true. Anyway, I leave it to the readers discretion about this book. I will admit that I didn't think this book was a waste of my time.
Content Warning: Homosexuality, Strong Language, Under Age Drinking, Sexual content.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I don't dislike it but at the same time I don't like it. I sympathize with the protagonist Noli and the hard ships she goes through. I think it is well written and the voice is believable. My problem is the strong language and the idea, according to TJ, that one is born homosexual. I know I'll probably get land blasted for saying this, but I know that, that isn't true. Anyway, I leave it to the readers discretion about this book. I will admit that I didn't think this book was a waste of my time.
Content Warning: Homosexuality, Strong Language, Under Age Drinking, Sexual content.
July 1, 2021
In this book a young girl, Noli, meets a new boy at school and they become the best of friends. As they get to know each other’s tough home circumstances and secrets it becomes an emotional rollercoaster. This books makes you question how important friendship and love is and explore the difference between the two. It is a great romance with great twists that push the reader to question what they would do if they were in Noli’s shoes.
As I fished the book I hated it because of the surprises and the abrupt ending. But as I have thought back on the messages and themes in the book and really reflected on what I would do in Noli’s situation I have developed an attachment to it. I love that it put me in an uncomfortable position that I felt gave me an almost too real dose of life experiences.
Warnings: sexual relationships, homosexuality, swearing.
As I fished the book I hated it because of the surprises and the abrupt ending. But as I have thought back on the messages and themes in the book and really reflected on what I would do in Noli’s situation I have developed an attachment to it. I love that it put me in an uncomfortable position that I felt gave me an almost too real dose of life experiences.
Warnings: sexual relationships, homosexuality, swearing.
February 11, 2016
Everything is mystical and beautiful and sad. TJ is mystical and beautiful. He 19s a high school senior with long curly hair, the body of a god, a hoop earring, and he loves the poetry of Gerard Marley Hopkins. And Noli loves TJ. But she can 19t be his lover. Why oh Why?
TJ has demons, that 19s why. Raging lyrical demons. Every other sentence is lyrical, or straining to be. 1CShe wakes up weeping. 1D That 19s from page 44, almost halfway.
Bottom line: I read to the end even though the tone of the entire novel is at least as weepy and almost as condescending as this review. Time to move on.
TJ has demons, that 19s why. Raging lyrical demons. Every other sentence is lyrical, or straining to be. 1CShe wakes up weeping. 1D That 19s from page 44, almost halfway.
Bottom line: I read to the end even though the tone of the entire novel is at least as weepy and almost as condescending as this review. Time to move on.
August 22, 2012
Everything is mystical and beautiful and sad. TJ is mystical and beautiful. He’s a high school senior with long curly hair, the body of a god, a hoop earring, and he loves the poetry of Gerard Marley Hopkins. And Noli loves TJ. But she can’t be his lover. Why oh Why?
TJ has demons, that’s why. Raging lyrical demons. Every other sentence is lyrical, or straining to be. “She wakes up weeping.” That’s from page 44, almost halfway.
Bottom line: I read to the end even though the tone of the entire novel is at least as weepy and almost as condescending as this review. Time to move on.
TJ has demons, that’s why. Raging lyrical demons. Every other sentence is lyrical, or straining to be. “She wakes up weeping.” That’s from page 44, almost halfway.
Bottom line: I read to the end even though the tone of the entire novel is at least as weepy and almost as condescending as this review. Time to move on.
February 10, 2011
I read this book yesterday morning. We had yet another snow day and I took advantage of the time off and ripped through my books.
"Whistle Me Home" made my cry. And, seriously, I rarely cry over books. The novel is so breathtakingly beautiful.
It really struck a personal chord with me. Well, I guess it would with everone; who hasn't suffered from unrequited love? I think we've all been both Noli and TJ, on both sides of the story.
"Whistle Me Home" made my cry. And, seriously, I rarely cry over books. The novel is so breathtakingly beautiful.
It really struck a personal chord with me. Well, I guess it would with everone; who hasn't suffered from unrequited love? I think we've all been both Noli and TJ, on both sides of the story.
September 29, 2012
so short you can read it two hours. it was real shocking when i found out about tj but still its a good read.
October 7, 2012
This was a good book. It was really sad that Noli feel in love with a guy who she later finds out was gay.
June 11, 2023
Noli is a tomboyish girl whose mother is always trying to get her to look more feminine. It is a constant source of friction between her and her mother - as well as the fact that her mother had her terminally ill dog put to sleep without Noli's knowledge. This friction and a need to find herself drive Noli to drink. But all that changes when she meets TJ, a beautiful and seemingly perfect new boy in school. They start dating and find that they seem to be soulmates. But Noli doesn't really know that much about TJ's past and though she wants to take their relationship to a physical level, TJ remains politely affectionate but somewhat distant. The night they go to Greenwich Village, when they're confronted by TJ's past, starts to put the puzzle pieces together for Noli and the picture is that TJ is gay.
Quick read, plot-driven, not much character development.
Quick read, plot-driven, not much character development.
April 25, 2024
January 2024 TBR theme for me was reading old books from my youth I had (and still own). I starved for any queer media consumption when I was 16. Going to the library and looking for gay books which was very VERY small. So it's been kind of cool re-reading these young defining books for me. Of course, times have massively change and now we're part of every genre and you can actually find tons of LGBTQ Books everywhere.
Here is my New Eyes Review for Whistle me Home:
This centers around a teen girl named Noli as she navigates first love and heartbreak. TJ is her love interest, a shy caring boy who takes a liking to Noli's Tom boyish looks and chill persona. They both come to terms that Love is complicated for everyone.
This is a queer adjacent story but it's through the lens of a straight girl. It was interesting reading this perspective but yet left more to be desired. Also the time period being the early 90s made this re-read slightly cringe although believable for that era. It is important for multiple point of views but we only get Noli's, granted the book is not cruel to TJ and does portray all characters somewhat three-dimensionally even in the one-sided narrative.
I remember in my youth being much harsher to TJ, but now with adult eyes seeing Noli's imperfections. Though her reasonings for heartbreak valid, her treatment of the situation somewhat selfish. Thank goodness kids are better equipped now with knowledge that sexuality is fluid and sometimes relationships work better as friends.
I enjoyed the slice of life vibes and the human complicated side characters, especially Noli's mom. Relatable to teens who dress or act outside the norm and have that type of judgmental parent. This story was a nice time capsule to 90s youth. I feel there's better books but as a short novella sized novel, it's not a bad choice for something different but only if curious.
Side Note:
Internet was more primitive when i was a teen. So i looked books up at the library using Key words and index. I starved for anything "GAY". This was one of search results back in the day.
Here is my New Eyes Review for Whistle me Home:
This centers around a teen girl named Noli as she navigates first love and heartbreak. TJ is her love interest, a shy caring boy who takes a liking to Noli's Tom boyish looks and chill persona. They both come to terms that Love is complicated for everyone.
This is a queer adjacent story but it's through the lens of a straight girl. It was interesting reading this perspective but yet left more to be desired. Also the time period being the early 90s made this re-read slightly cringe although believable for that era. It is important for multiple point of views but we only get Noli's, granted the book is not cruel to TJ and does portray all characters somewhat three-dimensionally even in the one-sided narrative.
I remember in my youth being much harsher to TJ, but now with adult eyes seeing Noli's imperfections. Though her reasonings for heartbreak valid, her treatment of the situation somewhat selfish. Thank goodness kids are better equipped now with knowledge that sexuality is fluid and sometimes relationships work better as friends.
I enjoyed the slice of life vibes and the human complicated side characters, especially Noli's mom. Relatable to teens who dress or act outside the norm and have that type of judgmental parent. This story was a nice time capsule to 90s youth. I feel there's better books but as a short novella sized novel, it's not a bad choice for something different but only if curious.
Side Note:
Internet was more primitive when i was a teen. So i looked books up at the library using Key words and index. I starved for anything "GAY". This was one of search results back in the day.
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