Vade Mecum by Lee Benoit is a young adult gay themed story.

Andre's life has been difficult leaving him in his present situation in a shelter waiting for his aunt who he doesn't remember to arrive. After Andre's mother died he was bounced from home to home until he ran away with nothing to call his own. Being gay in the homeless system made matters even worse, and Andre doesn't expect anything different from his family. To his surprise, Andre's Aunt Cori faces and accepts his pointed requests without batting an eye. Her recognition of Andre's parentage and acceptance of his sexual preferences gives him hope for the future, and maybe he can find a true home to call his own.

Lee Benoit has written a poignant story about the difficulties of being gay in today's society, and the miracle that acceptance and love can bring. Society's unwillingness to accept the gay lifestyle has alienated many young people, putting them in dangerous situations with no one they can go to for help, even if they were willing to ask for help. Andre's acceptance by his family reminds us that love and family can change the world, we just have to take the first step. Thanks go to Lee Benoit for a great story.

Reviewed by: Teresa