Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Boy Meets Boy
David Levithan
Publisher: Knopf Books
Released: September 9, 2003
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 192
Source: Library

This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.

When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it.

The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

This is a happy, meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy, wonderful world.

I love David Levithan. He is, to me, one of the most important figures in young adult literature. Not only is he the author of a dozen YA novels, but he is also the editorial director at Scholastic and the founding editor of the PUSH imprint. Rather than gush over his amazingness, which would literally take days, I encourage you to visit his website so you can see for yourself. Or, you can just pick up a copy of Boy Meets Boy.

In what was originally a Valentine's Day gift for friends, Levithan has accomplished in his first novel what most authors spend their entire careers working toward - creating an alternate universe readers wish they could live in. I think a fellow blogger friend of mine, Jessica of Forever YA Lit, said it best, "I wish Paul's world existed. But since it doesn't, I'm glad this book exists."

Boy Meets Boy is the sweetest of love stories, and Paul is the sweetest of characters. While his world can only be described as a fantasy by most real life gay teens, Paul's problems with life and love are very conventional. Readers of any sexual orientation can relate. Maybe that's what is so special about David Levithan. His stories are so realistic and emotionally uplifting, readers can't help but be inspired by his words. If you're a stranger to Levithan or haven't picked this one up yet, I will advise you buy your own copy because this is a story you will want to own. I bet you can find one for your shelf at Cavalier House Books, and you should check out the rest of David's books while you're there.