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Boy Meets Boy
Author: David LevithanISBN: 0-375-82400-6
“I've always known I was gay, but it wasn't confirmed until I was in kindergarten.” So writes Paul, the protagonist of David Levithan's charming debut novel, Boy Meets Boy. Paul is a high school sophomore in a town where being gay is as unremarkable as being left-handed or blue-eyed-it's just a fact of life. The football team's star quarterback is a cross-dresser named Infinite Darlene. She's also the Homecoming Queen. P-FLAG is as big a draw as the PTA. The gay/straight alliance at the high school has more members than the football team. Clearly, we're not in Kansas anymore.
Boy Meets Boy marks a new breed of gay-themed novel. Instead of struggling with weighty issues like coming out and acceptance, Paul is dealing with the same issues as any other teen: getting ready for the big dance and trying to untangle his complicated love life. His ex-boyfriend Kyle wants back in his life, but Paul has his sights set on Noah.
Meanwhile, his friends have problems of their own. Tony, who is from the less-utopian next town over, is dealing with homophobic parents, and Joni is dating a guy who everyone but she can see is all wrong for her. As the Dowager Dance draws nearer, Rip, the school bookie, is laying odds against Paul finding happiness with anyone, but Paul refuses to accept the odds. He'll go down fighting for the boy he loves.
This is the world David Levithan has created, and it's a world in which I'm sure many of us wish we lived. Boy Meets Boy is a fairy tale, but one that is tantalizingly realistic. On his website, Levithan says, “I'm often asked if the book is a work of fantasy or a work of reality, and the answer is right down the middle-it's about where we're going, and where we should be.” Some may read this book and find it unrealistic, but its charm lies in that it could be reality if people would just open their minds and hearts. Levithan's writing is witty and accessible, with an entirely original voice. His characters are quirky and completely loveable. Even the most flamboyant characters remain authentic and touchingly human. I found myself laughing aloud at many parts, and tearing up a few times as well.
Boy Meets Boy is billed as a young adult novel, but I think readers of any age will find something to love within these pages. Easily one of my favorite books of all time.