Bibliographic
Information
Boy Meets Boy by
David Levithan. Alfred A. Knopf. (2003).
Price: $8.99 for paperback
Pages: 185 for paperback
Note: This novel was first published in 2005.
Plot Summary
While Paul wishes he could have a boyfriend he values his
close friendships with Tony and Joni while appreciating his loving family. He
is especially grateful that he doesn’t have to hide his sexual orientation like
Tony or has a penchant for dating jerks like Joni. However, once he meets Noah,
the guy of his dreams, Paul’s life quickly becomes complicated. Suddenly Paul’s
former boyfriend wants to make up with him only Paul is now dating Noah who was
once in a bad relationship himself. The school’s rumor mill has it that Tony
and Paul are an item even though they are not and everyone seems to be betting
on Paul botching up all his relationships and remaining loveless in life. Can
Paul convince Noah that he’s in love with him while still remaining friends
with Tony and Kyle?
Critical
Evaluation
A lyrical novel that readers have described as part
realistic fiction, part fantasy Boy Meets
Boy imagines a world where most people accept each other regardless of age
or sexual orientation. Obscure bands finally get the recognition they deserve,
the homecoming queen can also be the high school quarterback, and young punks
can be friends with older drag queens. While Levithan’s world may seem ideal he
includes enough details within it so that readers will find characters relatable.
There are still some who use sexual slurs, boyfriends who emotionally abuse
their significant others, and an active school rumor mill. Main character Paul
is not perfect although he may be secure in his sexual orientation. He must
navigate his school’s social scene and his complicated love life just like many
teens do today. Of course, the best part of Boy
Meets Boy is Levithan’s mastery of descriptive writing which is present
throughout the novel particularly in Paul’s introspective moments such as the
scene where he attempts to paint music. Ultimately, this novel is a work of art
filled with beautiful descriptions, thought provoking one liners, and relatable
characters that readers will love.
Reader’s
Annotation
Paul thinks he’s met the boy of his dreams but things
quickly become complicated when his former boyfriend wants to get back together
again.
About the Author
Author of fourteen novels, four of which are
collaborations with other authors, David Levithan is a well-known author for
young adults. Boy Meets Boy, Levithan’s
first novel, was written partly because of his experience as an editor. He had
always wished to encounter a novel with gay characters that were not
stereotypical. As a result, he penned Boy
Meets Boy and the rest is history. He is currently working on a
collaborative novel with Andrea Cremer entitled Invisibility as well as another novel entitled Two Boys Kissing.
Learn more about David Levithan here.
Genre
LGBTQ literature, Realistic fiction
Readalikes
How They Met and
Other Stories by David Levithan
·
Eighteen short stories about love
The Perks of Being
a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
·
A coming-of-age story about a gay freshman in
high school
Will Grayson, Will
Grayson by John Green & David Levithan
·
Two teens named Will Grayson meet each
unexpectedly.
Tags
Abusive boyfriend, coming of age, coming out, dating,
drag queens, friendship, identity, LGBTQ, romance
Tags are complements of LibraryThing here.
Awards
Won/Lists On
2003—BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
2003—Lambda Literary Award
2004—ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2004—ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
2006—ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
2008—Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award
Nominee
Professional
Reviews
Book Links
- Boy Meets Boy is mentioned in this article on coming-out novels.
- Note that Kirkus labels this as a book appropriate for 19-20 year olds.
Lambda Book Report
Library Media Connection
School Library Journal
VOYA
Booktalk Ideas
Read some of the beautifully written excerpts
·
Feeling bad (53)
·
Proclaiming a beginning (69)
·
Painting Music chapter (44-51)
What the World Could Be Like
·
“More than anything in this strange life, I want
Tony to be happy. We found out a long time ago that we weren’t meant to fall in
love with each other. But a part of me still fell in hope with him. I want a
fair world. And in a fair world, Tony would shine” (5)
·
Intergenerational relationships (69)
·
Everyone despite sexual orientation is accepted
in this town. People look past others’ sexual orientation
Relationships are Difficult & Complex
·
“I wonder if it’s possible to start a new
relationship without hurting someone else. I wonder if it’s possible to have
happiness without it being at someone else’s expense” (59)
·
Joni & Ted à Joni & Chuck
·
Paul & Tony = friendship
·
Paul & Kyle = together and not
·
Paul & Noah = could they be together?
·
“Sometimes the space between knowing what to do
and actually doing it is a very short walk. Other times it is an impossible
expanse” (114).
Bibliotherapeutic
Usefulness
This book could be used by LGBTQ teens with parents that
cannot accept their teen’s sexual orientation. It could also be used by those
who have been bullied by their peers for being different. Boy Meets Boy can help them imagine a different world.
Reading
Level/Interest Level
Reading Level: 4th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
These levels are according to AR Bookfinder
Challenge
Issues
This book includes the following potentially
controversial elements:
·
Abusive boyfriend
·
Denial of God
·
Drag queen is the homecoming queen
·
Homosexual slurs
·
Intolerant parents
·
One character’s opinion that all religions are
the same
·
Skewing the Bible
·
Town’s acceptance of all sexual orientations
Librarians can point out that while some may object to
this book it can spark great discussions about what the world is like today and
how it could be in the future. Additionally it could be used to discuss sexual
orientations and teens’ relationships with their parents.
Why Was This
Included?
This book was required for class but I was excited to
read it as it imagines a world where one’s sexual orientation doesn’t create
controversy.
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