Pollack, Rachel 1933–

PERSONAL: Born September 23, 1933, in New York, NY; daughter of Max and Molly Francke; divorced; children: Keith, Michael, Jeff. Education: Attended Indiana University and Portland State University; Loretto Heights College, B.A. (with honors), 1985. Politics: "Liberal Democrat." Religion: Jewish. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, writing poetry, theater, travel, volunteer activities.

ADDRESSES: Home—Denver, CO.

CAREER: Journalist, author, and consultant, 1980–.

MEMBER: Authors Guild, American Society of Journalists and Authors (founder and past chair of Rocky Mountain chapter).

AWARDS, HONORS: Denver Women's Press Club Award, best children's book.

WRITINGS:

(With Cheryl Schwartz) The Journey Out: A Guide for and about Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens, Viking Penguin (New York, NY), 1995.

Contributor to periodicals.

SIDELIGHTS: Rachel Pollack is the coauthor of The Journey Out: A Guide for and about Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens, a "frank, reassuring book," wrote a Publishers Weekly contributor. In the work, Pollack and Cheryl Schwartz address issues of interest to gay youth, such as coming out to family and friends, combating prejudice, and developing a support system. The book's "uncrowded format makes it look approachable," noted Booklist critic Stephanie Zvirin, who also remarked, "the tone is never strident, even when the authors are at their most serious." Though Oasis Magazine contributor Jeff Walsh felt The Journey Out would have benefited from in-depth portraits of gay teens, he also stated, "If a person is on the cusp of accepting themselves, and just needs a final push such as reading that being gay is okay, this book will be useful."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, December 1, 1995, Stephanie Zvirin, review of The Journey Out: A Guide for and about Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Teens, p. 616.

Publishers Weekly, November 27, 1995, review of The Journey Out, p. 70.

School Library Journal, January, 1996, Claudia Morrow, review of The Journey Out, p. 136.

ONLINE

Oasis Magazine Web site, http://www.oasismag.com/ (June, 1996), Jeff Walsh, "Book for Teens Misses Mark," review of The Journey Out.