Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
Author Biography:
David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press. Information retrieved from Goodreads.com.
Published by: Alfred A. Knopf
ISBN: 0375832998
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Ages 12 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Paul, who lives in a community that not only accepts but celebrates homosexuality and transvestism, has just met Noah, both of whom immediately fall for each other. The two hit it off and begin dating, but Paul’s former boyfriend Kyle suddenly reappears in his life and begins showing interest in him. An incident between Kyle and Paul quickly becomes the talk of their school, threatening to end Paul’s budding romance with Noah.
Plot Summary:
Paul lives in an idyllic town in New Jersey where, save everyday bouts of school drama, is perfect for just about any teen to live in. Nobody is bullied for whatever sex they are attracted to, and instead everyone is more focused on school, academics, or just having fun.
Paul, despite his breakup with his boyfriend Kyle, is leading a perfectly happy – though single – life. He earns good grades, hangs out with his friends Jodi and Tony frequently, and lives in a household where his mother and father love him and accept him for who he is. One night Paul visits a book store with his friends when he runs into Noah, and the two become smitten with each other. They begin flirting with each other, visiting each other’s homes and families and enjoying their time together. Yet, drama is looming over the horizon which threatens end their relationship prematurely.
Joni, a friend who has known Paul since he was a child, has broken up with her on-again off-again boyfriend and has started dating Chuck from the football team who is on very bad terms with their friend Infinite Darlene. Adding to the drama is Kyle who is hanging around Paul again, begging for forgiveness for the bad break up they suffered through and is asking to be friends. Paul takes most of this in stride, yet the situation gets worse as Joni becomes increasingly distant from him and Kyle begins flirting around. Though Paul resists the advances, Kyle shows a moment of weakness one day and explains how stressed out and panicked he has been. Paul attempts to comfort him and eventually kisses him, setting off a slew of rumors throughout the school.
The rumors make their way to Noah who then breaks off his relationship with Paul. Though initially depressed, Paul vows to show the ways he loves Noah over a week. As he devises ways to demonstrate how he feels, Paul must also navigate all the other issues facing his friends in an effort to reach a happy ending.
Critical Evaluation:
David Levithan has crafted a drama-packed novel full of twists and turns and memorable characters. Each one of the players in this story is well developed, giving great dimension to who they are, why they are the way they are, and how they connect together as a group. While there is a great focus on romance, none of it goes beyond kissing.
The only major complaint I have about this book is that the world surrounding Paul is too perfect. Matters such as gay marriage have been discussed at length in the media and throughout the nation, and while some polls show the United States is beginning to lean in favor for it, there are many people who object to homosexuality based on moral or religious matters. As a result, it was difficult for me to see Paul live in a world where his choices were respected and accepted throughout the community – it just seemed too unrealistic to me. My major concern is that it may not strike true for gay or homosexual readers who are facing trouble with others accepting who they are, and I fear they may dismiss the book out of hand as a result. To his credit, David Levithan has stated he wanted to write Boy Meets Boy from a standpoint of what would be ideal and where the nation as a whole could be headed.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talk Ideas:
Caught between comforting your ex and being devoted to your current squeeze, who would you be more likely to support?
Why This Book?
Boy Meets Boy is an excellent book with memorable characters who suffer the kinds of teenage drama many teens are likely to face in their lives as well. Although the world in the novel is a bit too idealized, its strong focus on the teens and how they try to overcome their difficulties makes a heartwarming and dramatic read.
David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press. Information retrieved from Goodreads.com.
Published by: Alfred A. Knopf
ISBN: 0375832998
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Ages 12 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Paul, who lives in a community that not only accepts but celebrates homosexuality and transvestism, has just met Noah, both of whom immediately fall for each other. The two hit it off and begin dating, but Paul’s former boyfriend Kyle suddenly reappears in his life and begins showing interest in him. An incident between Kyle and Paul quickly becomes the talk of their school, threatening to end Paul’s budding romance with Noah.
Plot Summary:
Paul lives in an idyllic town in New Jersey where, save everyday bouts of school drama, is perfect for just about any teen to live in. Nobody is bullied for whatever sex they are attracted to, and instead everyone is more focused on school, academics, or just having fun.
Paul, despite his breakup with his boyfriend Kyle, is leading a perfectly happy – though single – life. He earns good grades, hangs out with his friends Jodi and Tony frequently, and lives in a household where his mother and father love him and accept him for who he is. One night Paul visits a book store with his friends when he runs into Noah, and the two become smitten with each other. They begin flirting with each other, visiting each other’s homes and families and enjoying their time together. Yet, drama is looming over the horizon which threatens end their relationship prematurely.
Joni, a friend who has known Paul since he was a child, has broken up with her on-again off-again boyfriend and has started dating Chuck from the football team who is on very bad terms with their friend Infinite Darlene. Adding to the drama is Kyle who is hanging around Paul again, begging for forgiveness for the bad break up they suffered through and is asking to be friends. Paul takes most of this in stride, yet the situation gets worse as Joni becomes increasingly distant from him and Kyle begins flirting around. Though Paul resists the advances, Kyle shows a moment of weakness one day and explains how stressed out and panicked he has been. Paul attempts to comfort him and eventually kisses him, setting off a slew of rumors throughout the school.
The rumors make their way to Noah who then breaks off his relationship with Paul. Though initially depressed, Paul vows to show the ways he loves Noah over a week. As he devises ways to demonstrate how he feels, Paul must also navigate all the other issues facing his friends in an effort to reach a happy ending.
Critical Evaluation:
David Levithan has crafted a drama-packed novel full of twists and turns and memorable characters. Each one of the players in this story is well developed, giving great dimension to who they are, why they are the way they are, and how they connect together as a group. While there is a great focus on romance, none of it goes beyond kissing.
The only major complaint I have about this book is that the world surrounding Paul is too perfect. Matters such as gay marriage have been discussed at length in the media and throughout the nation, and while some polls show the United States is beginning to lean in favor for it, there are many people who object to homosexuality based on moral or religious matters. As a result, it was difficult for me to see Paul live in a world where his choices were respected and accepted throughout the community – it just seemed too unrealistic to me. My major concern is that it may not strike true for gay or homosexual readers who are facing trouble with others accepting who they are, and I fear they may dismiss the book out of hand as a result. To his credit, David Levithan has stated he wanted to write Boy Meets Boy from a standpoint of what would be ideal and where the nation as a whole could be headed.
Curriculum Ties:
- Friendship
- Society’s acceptance of gays and homosexuals
Challenge Issues:
- Homosexuality
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other. There is no overt sexual situations in the book, and all the characters act with taste. The homosexuality aspect of the book is not done for shock value, and has serious literary merit.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talk Ideas:
Caught between comforting your ex and being devoted to your current squeeze, who would you be more likely to support?
Why This Book?
Boy Meets Boy is an excellent book with memorable characters who suffer the kinds of teenage drama many teens are likely to face in their lives as well. Although the world in the novel is a bit too idealized, its strong focus on the teens and how they try to overcome their difficulties makes a heartwarming and dramatic read.