Levithan, David (2005). Boy Meets Boy. New York, New York: Knopf Books.
ISBN: 9780375832994
192 pages
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 15-19
Stars: 4 stars
Subjects: Gender, Sexuality, Relationships, High School, Tolerance
Reader's Annotation
In an idealized high school where sexuality is not considered an issue, Paul, a sophomore, believes he has found love with Noah, but he makes a mistake that may cost him his relationship
Summary
Paul is a high school sophomore whose school is in an idealized world where cliques, gender, and sexuality have a completely different meaning. Although parents and adults have different views, the teens in this world don't see each other in typical gay/straight, jock/nerd, popular/unpopular dichotomies. Rather, they live in a world where everything has blended and people are simply judged for themselves, rather than any labels society might place on them. Paul thinks he has found love in the form of Noah, but he ends up making a mistake that might mean the end of their relationship, so he seeks counsel among his friends. Not everything is ideal in this high school world- there are still domineering boyfriends, conservative parents, and the typical problems of lovelorn teenagers that hint at an underlying darkness to the teen world without ever collapsing under the weight of its problems.
Notes
Although this novel notably presents a fictional world, it will leave teens wondering why tolerance isn't this simple, and why the world is so categorical and unforgiving in its definitions of relationships, gender, and sexuality. By cutting through these issues, individual characters are able to shine, and the strength of their problems comes through in this well-crafted story of love, life, and high school.
Awards
Booklist Starred Review
School Library Journal Starred Review
2003 Lambda Literary Award
Other Information
Fans of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (book or movie) might recognize David Levithan's humorous style and interesting take on love and life.
Author Information
