Levithan, David. 2003. Boy Meets Boy. New York: Random House. ISBN: 0-375-92400-0.
SUMMARY:
Paul goes out with his best friends, Joni and Tony. Paul and Joni have been friends since forever and she was the one he came out to in elementary school. Tony is also gay and lives with his parents, who have a problem with his homosexually. Paul meets Noah and while getting to know each other, they find out that they have been under each other's noses all along and begin dating. After breaking up with Ted, Joni begins to date Chuck, football player and a bully to Infinite Darlene, another football player who cross-dresses. Chuck and Toni's relationship upsets Ted, Paul and Infinite Darlene. Paul's ex, Kyle wants to get back with Paul, but Paul is deeply in love with Noah. Kyle had spread a rumor that Paul turned him "gay". Cautiously Paul let Kyle in after he apologizes for all he did and became friends again. Kyle is uncertain about his own sexuality and Paul is there for a shoulder to lean on. Paul tells Joni about his renewed friendship with Kyle and she in turns tells Chuck. Chuck begins to run a "pool" on which Paul will choose.
While dealing with his parents, Tony goes hiking 't fell the same.Paul. After the hike, Tony hugs Paul for listening, only to be scene, all rumors start flying. Noah breaks up with Paul, after hearing the rumor and also hearing that Paul kissed Kyle. Later, Kyle reveals to Paul that he stills loves him but Paul doesn't feel the same. Paul talks to Tony about Kyle but Paul reveals his feelings about his sexually and his parents' relationship with him. Paul wants to win back Noah; he has a seven day plan to get Noah back. For seven days, Paul carries out little task, such as origami on Noah's locker, a list of what he likes about Noah, a love song and finally confronting him. Noah is swept off his feet, he agrees to go to a dance with Paul. Everyone meets a Tony's house, since Tony's parents would not let him go to the dance with a date but rather in a group, to go to the dance.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Set in a libel town in New Jersey, that accepts the sexuality of its teen residents, the characters can live freely and as normal as their straight counterparts. Without this setting, the plot would not have flowed as it does. The characters are adorable and can be identified by young readers who may be going through, either gay or straight. As a supported of gay rights, one will enjoy a refreshing setting and plot involving gay teens.
LITERARY CRITERIA:
Boy meets Boy has some of the characteristics of a romantic novels, it has romance, both gay and straight. It had a happy ending (oops)! It contain a slight exaggerations. It certainly conveys hope and youthfulness. Adults readers may feel joy in finishing this book. It does pair likable couples (Paul and Noah), it is believable in nature, and it had a love-at-first-sight moment. The plot is based on what teens will go through, falling in love, falling out of love, rumors and bullying. As mention above, the setting enhances the plot and characters. It does posses a smoothness in style, it reads fast, keeping the reader interested in its plot and characters.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
The greatness strength of this book is the openness of teen homosexuality, bisexually and trangenderness. With all the recent new reports of hate crimes against gay teens, suicides and a campaign against bullying, this novel portrays gay teen just as regular teens, with rumors, jealousy, betrayal and the ins and outs of teen life.
The weakness of the very ins and outs of teen life- OK, who is dating who, he kisses who, why is she seeing him, it makes one head spin. Although, teens readers will follow the quick reader and fast-paced plot, an adult reader may get confessed.
AWARDS AND OTHER REVIEWS:
2003 Lambda Literary Award
“In its blithe acceptance and celebration of human differences, this is arguably the most important gay novel since Annie on My Mind and seems to represent a revolution in the publishing of gay-themed books for adolescents.”—Booklist, Starred
“Levithan’s prophecy of a hate-free world in which everyone loves without persecution makes this a provocative and important read for all young adults, gay or straight.”—School Library Journal, Starred
FAVORITE LINES/ PASSAGES:
Once again, it's the last scene: "what a wonderful world."
BOOK HOOK:
Curriculum themes: teen homosexuality, bisexually and transgender, acceptance, tolerance, bullyness, "nature vs nurture" debate (born this way or learner traits).
Sylvia M. Verdell, 2003.
SUMMARY:
Paul goes out with his best friends, Joni and Tony. Paul and Joni have been friends since forever and she was the one he came out to in elementary school. Tony is also gay and lives with his parents, who have a problem with his homosexually. Paul meets Noah and while getting to know each other, they find out that they have been under each other's noses all along and begin dating. After breaking up with Ted, Joni begins to date Chuck, football player and a bully to Infinite Darlene, another football player who cross-dresses. Chuck and Toni's relationship upsets Ted, Paul and Infinite Darlene. Paul's ex, Kyle wants to get back with Paul, but Paul is deeply in love with Noah. Kyle had spread a rumor that Paul turned him "gay". Cautiously Paul let Kyle in after he apologizes for all he did and became friends again. Kyle is uncertain about his own sexuality and Paul is there for a shoulder to lean on. Paul tells Joni about his renewed friendship with Kyle and she in turns tells Chuck. Chuck begins to run a "pool" on which Paul will choose.
While dealing with his parents, Tony goes hiking 't fell the same.Paul. After the hike, Tony hugs Paul for listening, only to be scene, all rumors start flying. Noah breaks up with Paul, after hearing the rumor and also hearing that Paul kissed Kyle. Later, Kyle reveals to Paul that he stills loves him but Paul doesn't feel the same. Paul talks to Tony about Kyle but Paul reveals his feelings about his sexually and his parents' relationship with him. Paul wants to win back Noah; he has a seven day plan to get Noah back. For seven days, Paul carries out little task, such as origami on Noah's locker, a list of what he likes about Noah, a love song and finally confronting him. Noah is swept off his feet, he agrees to go to a dance with Paul. Everyone meets a Tony's house, since Tony's parents would not let him go to the dance with a date but rather in a group, to go to the dance.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Set in a libel town in New Jersey, that accepts the sexuality of its teen residents, the characters can live freely and as normal as their straight counterparts. Without this setting, the plot would not have flowed as it does. The characters are adorable and can be identified by young readers who may be going through, either gay or straight. As a supported of gay rights, one will enjoy a refreshing setting and plot involving gay teens.
LITERARY CRITERIA:
Boy meets Boy has some of the characteristics of a romantic novels, it has romance, both gay and straight. It had a happy ending (oops)! It contain a slight exaggerations. It certainly conveys hope and youthfulness. Adults readers may feel joy in finishing this book. It does pair likable couples (Paul and Noah), it is believable in nature, and it had a love-at-first-sight moment. The plot is based on what teens will go through, falling in love, falling out of love, rumors and bullying. As mention above, the setting enhances the plot and characters. It does posses a smoothness in style, it reads fast, keeping the reader interested in its plot and characters.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
The greatness strength of this book is the openness of teen homosexuality, bisexually and trangenderness. With all the recent new reports of hate crimes against gay teens, suicides and a campaign against bullying, this novel portrays gay teen just as regular teens, with rumors, jealousy, betrayal and the ins and outs of teen life.
The weakness of the very ins and outs of teen life- OK, who is dating who, he kisses who, why is she seeing him, it makes one head spin. Although, teens readers will follow the quick reader and fast-paced plot, an adult reader may get confessed.
AWARDS AND OTHER REVIEWS:
2003 Lambda Literary Award
“In its blithe acceptance and celebration of human differences, this is arguably the most important gay novel since Annie on My Mind and seems to represent a revolution in the publishing of gay-themed books for adolescents.”—Booklist, Starred
“Levithan’s prophecy of a hate-free world in which everyone loves without persecution makes this a provocative and important read for all young adults, gay or straight.”—School Library Journal, Starred
FAVORITE LINES/ PASSAGES:
Once again, it's the last scene: "what a wonderful world."
BOOK HOOK:
Curriculum themes: teen homosexuality, bisexually and transgender, acceptance, tolerance, bullyness, "nature vs nurture" debate (born this way or learner traits).
Sylvia M. Verdell, 2003.
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