There's new twists galore in a Peoria author's latest installment in his book series centered around the travails of high school martial-arts enthusiast Aiden Rothe and friends.
Joe Chianakas is an Illinois Central College professor and author of the Rabbit in Red horror trilogy. Pride and Persistence picks up where 2023's Singlets and Secrets left off.
"Our main character's got a boyfriend, so I get to explore the highs and the lows of a queer teen relationship. And I think that's really important to see that honestly and authentically, because it's not all sunshine and rainbows, you know? I mean, there are problems that everyone has," said Chianakas.
The school's reaction to their relationship is to implement so-called "don't say gay" policies that the teen and his friends fight back against.
"It continues that queer Karate Kid action story, continues the love story, but it mirrors so much of what's happening in real time, and that's why I'm so excited to get it out there," he said.
Pride and Persistence also introduces a new character: Michelle, a trans female black belt. Aiden attempts to recruit her to his karate club, but is surprised when he find she is already involved with a club ran by the villain of the first book.
"That school is the rivalry of Aiden and his friends. So how will he be friends with people who are his rivals? And you know what? This is the whole point, I don't care whose team you're on. I don't care what your political affiliation is. You know, the big message here is we shouldn't be fighting our friends, and I hope that that's a message that is learned throughout this story," Chianakas said.
Chianakas said he's gotten a lot of local support for his books, which are available at Lit on Fire, the Book Nook, and Barnes & Noble in Peoria; Tales of a Bookworm in Pekin; Wordsmith Bookshoppe in Galesburg; and Bobzbay in Bloomington, among others.
"We have the resources right here in our community. This is an amazing community for writers and for anyone chasing their dreams. We have some great resources," he said.
