Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Levithan, D. (2003). Boy meets boy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN 0-375-83299-8
185 pgs
Genre: Realistic fiction
Classification: Fiction
Age level: Young Adult

Reader's annotation
Paul, a sophmore in high school, falls in love with a senior named Noah, just as his ex, Kyle, is starting to be friendly to him again. Paul hurts Noah by kissing Kyle, and needs the help of his friends, Tony, Infinite Darlene, Amber, Amy, Emily, Ted and his brother Jay, to win him back.

Summary
Paul is an extremely well-adjusted gay sophomore in high school, who is fully accepted by his family and friends, and spends his time studying, hanging out with his friends and looking for love like anyone else. Paul has had a few boyfriends, including Kyle, who broke his heart when he claimed Paul tricked him and then started a very public romance with a girl at school. But it’s love at first sight when Paul meets Noah at a bookstore event. The relationship struggles however, while they are very attracted to each other, Noah has some trouble trusting Paul after he unexpectedly kisses Kyle in a school closet. Paul’s friendships with his friends are really important to him as well, as is his family and his community. The novel is very well-written and the characters and scenes come to life. Notably, Infinite Darlene, Paul’s transgender friend who is the homecoming queen and star quarterback, and also the schools biggest gossip. There is Joanie, who is drifting away from Paul and their group as she dates a possessive football player. Tony lives with his religious family in a conservative town nearby and struggles to respect his family’s values while being true to himself and his friends. Paul feels it’s his role in their friendship to show Tony what is possible, and he does that for the reader, as well.

Notes
This novel gives a welcome glimpse into an American high school free of discrimination where gay and straight students live together in openness and friendship. Homosexual relationships among teens; bisexual and transgender teens

Awards and honors
ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A LAMBDA Literary Award Winner

Other titles by this author: How They Met, and Other Stories, The Realm of Possibility, 21 Proms, Wide Awake, Are We There Yet?

Also recommended
Geography Club by Brent Hartinger
Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez
Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters

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