Boy Meets Boy 
asked by lauren on November 26, 2006 10:23 AM
In this delightful young adult novel for readers 12 and up, high school sophomore Paul says, "There isn't really a gay scene or a straight scene in our town. They got all mixed up a while back, which I think is for the best." And, as he observes at the end of the story, "It's a wonderful world." Paul has both gay and straight friends, and they all hang out together at terrific bookstores and concerts, and advise one another on the sometimes troubled progress of their various romances. Paul is smitten with Noah, and they are beginning a serious relationship when Kyle, Paul's ex, complicates things by deciding that all is forgiven. Joni is going out with Chuck, who dominates her, much to her friends' disapproval. Tony's conservative parents refuse to acknowledge that he is gay, so the others must bone up on Bible verses all week so they can pretend Saturday night is a study group. And then there's Infinite Darlene, football quarterback and Homecoming Queen, who deserves a whole romance novel of her own. Life in their town is gloriously accepting of differences and only occasionally verges on magic realism, in this first novel in which same sex preference is not the problem. --Patty Campbell
Reviews
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Every time I re-read David Levithan's novel Boy Meets Boy, I find it just as touching as when I first read it.
I couldn't tell you any one thing, though, that draws me so strongly to this story...mostly because it's not just one thing, but so many things.
The main character, Paul, is likable enough, and I love that Levithan surrounds him with so many people--friends of all sorts. It's these relationships, these friendships with all their dramas, annoyances, loves, and loyalties that make the cast of characters as a whole a great ensemble.
Of course, my heart strings get pulled watching the relationship between Paul and Noah unfold and develop.
"Noah. The Boy. The one who changes everything" (from the back cover).
Half the time I want to meet a Noah of my own, while the other half I want to be Noah...I want to find someone who wants to paint music together...
Then there's Paul's relationship with Kyle, his ex-boyfriend. The strength of care, concern, and love between the two of them after their break up as they try to find a ground of friendship to stand on feels like a roller coaster at times, but one who's twists, turns, highs, and falls are so familiar that they're at once terrifying and comforting.
Ahh...but we must also mention Tony here, who's love for friends and family goes beyond any metaphor of depth could adequately depict...
I loved getting this novel as a gift, and loved giving it as one, too--full of touching sentiment.
I couldn't tell you any one thing, though, that draws me so strongly to this story...mostly because it's not just one thing, but so many things.
The main character, Paul, is likable enough, and I love that Levithan surrounds him with so many people--friends of all sorts. It's these relationships, these friendships with all their dramas, annoyances, loves, and loyalties that make the cast of characters as a whole a great ensemble.
Of course, my heart strings get pulled watching the relationship between Paul and Noah unfold and develop.
"Noah. The Boy. The one who changes everything" (from the back cover).
Half the time I want to meet a Noah of my own, while the other half I want to be Noah...I want to find someone who wants to paint music together...
Then there's Paul's relationship with Kyle, his ex-boyfriend. The strength of care, concern, and love between the two of them after their break up as they try to find a ground of friendship to stand on feels like a roller coaster at times, but one who's twists, turns, highs, and falls are so familiar that they're at once terrifying and comforting.
Ahh...but we must also mention Tony here, who's love for friends and family goes beyond any metaphor of depth could adequately depict...
I loved getting this novel as a gift, and loved giving it as one, too--full of touching sentiment.
reviewed by perfectjen on November 28, 2006 9:10 PM
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Already honored as an ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults, An ALA Quick Pick, A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, and A Lambda Literary Award Winner, David Levithan's BOY MEETS BOY lives up to its reputation as a groundbreaking gay-themed novel for young adults. The tension created between the characters is top-notch, and the writing quality something after which every writer strives.
Paul has known he was gay since his Kindergarten teacher wrote it in his report card: "PAUL IS DEFINITELY GAY AND HAS A VERY GOOD SENSE OF SELF." Since then, his life hasn't been as difficult as it probably should have been. The town he lives in is supportive, his family loves him for who he is, and Joni (straight as a toothpick) and Tony (also gay--they're just friends) are his best friends forever. Joni's mom and dad are like a second set of parents to Paul, and he's practically got Joni's house memorized he's spent so much time there. Tony's life hasn't been easy. Because of his church-going parents, he's had to lie to them for years so he could sneak out to have any kind of fun. And fun they had.
Everything changes when Paul meets Noah, the new kid at school. Noah's parents don't know he's gay. From the moment Noah invites Paul into his private art studio, things heat up between the two of them. At the same time they're hitting it off, Paul's old boyfriend Kyle wants to get back together. Tony's trying to figure out how to tell his parents who he really is. And Infinite Darling, the drag queen quarterback and homecoming queen, can't seem to mind her own business because her friends are her business.
Unfortunately, the characters (Noah excluded) are largely one-dimensional. It's as though the kids attending this school are completely obsessed with and defined by their sexuality, while Noah's character is the only one with any depth to him. The rest of them seem only interested in figuring out their gender and sexual orientation, begging the question--"If these kids don't want people to define them by their sexuality, then why don't they define themselves by something else?" Chalk it up as a missed opportunity to have characters who happen to be gay, instead of gay characters.
That said, Paul's story is about love. About how "part of love is letting a person be who they want to be." How "if you want to be loved," you've got to "be lovable." It's about a kid who everyone else thinks has it all together, and the truth is that when compared to most kids like him, he probably does. Even still, he can't help but "want to feel like life matters," like the courage of his friends will somehow make a difference, like for once, he'll be able to have and to hold something real. Which is all he really wanted in the first place.
Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens
Paul has known he was gay since his Kindergarten teacher wrote it in his report card: "PAUL IS DEFINITELY GAY AND HAS A VERY GOOD SENSE OF SELF." Since then, his life hasn't been as difficult as it probably should have been. The town he lives in is supportive, his family loves him for who he is, and Joni (straight as a toothpick) and Tony (also gay--they're just friends) are his best friends forever. Joni's mom and dad are like a second set of parents to Paul, and he's practically got Joni's house memorized he's spent so much time there. Tony's life hasn't been easy. Because of his church-going parents, he's had to lie to them for years so he could sneak out to have any kind of fun. And fun they had.
Everything changes when Paul meets Noah, the new kid at school. Noah's parents don't know he's gay. From the moment Noah invites Paul into his private art studio, things heat up between the two of them. At the same time they're hitting it off, Paul's old boyfriend Kyle wants to get back together. Tony's trying to figure out how to tell his parents who he really is. And Infinite Darling, the drag queen quarterback and homecoming queen, can't seem to mind her own business because her friends are her business.
Unfortunately, the characters (Noah excluded) are largely one-dimensional. It's as though the kids attending this school are completely obsessed with and defined by their sexuality, while Noah's character is the only one with any depth to him. The rest of them seem only interested in figuring out their gender and sexual orientation, begging the question--"If these kids don't want people to define them by their sexuality, then why don't they define themselves by something else?" Chalk it up as a missed opportunity to have characters who happen to be gay, instead of gay characters.
That said, Paul's story is about love. About how "part of love is letting a person be who they want to be." How "if you want to be loved," you've got to "be lovable." It's about a kid who everyone else thinks has it all together, and the truth is that when compared to most kids like him, he probably does. Even still, he can't help but "want to feel like life matters," like the courage of his friends will somehow make a difference, like for once, he'll be able to have and to hold something real. Which is all he really wanted in the first place.
Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens
reviewed by fusionz on November 29, 2006 1:21 PM
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This cute and clever novel about being gay and in high school is a fun read for adults. If you ever experienced being gay in high school and feeling isolated, this book will give you a refreshing and romanticized view of what could be. If you are a teen, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. While the situations described in the book are idealized, the message is still loud and strong, "be proud of yourself, your world, be honest, and most of all, enjoy your life." What better advice could one give to a young teen, regardless of sexual proclivity? Of course, being SAFE and RESPONSIBLE are messages of advice that must also be heeded.
On a personal note, the towns described and named in the novel actually do exist in New Jersey. I used to live there, and it was nice to read the names and conjure up memories. Yes, I know, if one lives in New Jersey, one must identify what exit one lived at...I was Exit 153 on the Garden State Parkway. Probably, only Jerseyians will understand that comment.
On a personal note, the towns described and named in the novel actually do exist in New Jersey. I used to live there, and it was nice to read the names and conjure up memories. Yes, I know, if one lives in New Jersey, one must identify what exit one lived at...I was Exit 153 on the Garden State Parkway. Probably, only Jerseyians will understand that comment.
reviewed by heavymetal on November 29, 2006 6:49 PM