Do you remember meeting "The One"? What about the relationship drama in high school? If you have forgotten, take a few hours and read Boy Meets Boy, it will come flooding back! Boy Meets Boy is the story of Paul's budding relationship with Noah and the requisite drama that comes with any high school in the country. Through a cast of quirky characters, complete with Infinite Darlene (formerly Daryl), Paul's straight best friend Joni, his ex, Kyle, and buddy Tony, Levithan reminds adults and teens of the agony and ecstasy of teen age love, be is straight or gay. He speaks clearly to the teens this book is written for. No matter the reader's orientation, they will find a character to latch on to, relate to, laugh with, and cry with. I think featuring this book with a variety of other relationship novels during Valentine's season would be one way to get this book in front of students. Choosing any passage that talks of the angst of finding, losing, and winning back "the one" is sure to draw curious readers. The beauty of Boy Meets Boy is that it could easily be Boy Meets Girl.
I think this book is appropriate for high school students. It is an easy read, but I think the subject matter and some characters may be a bit much for many middle schoolers. I think students will find the story engaging and entertaining while reminding them that everyone has drama in their relationships and in that respect they are not alone. The portrayal of a very open and accepting school and community is not one that I find terribly realistic, but for the sake of the story is quite appropriate. Morals, religion, friendship, breaking up, hooking up, and sexuality are all part of the package. I think girls would really enjoy this book, as would boys that are open minded and/or gay or searching. I question whether most straight high school boys would appreciate the book.
Boy Meets Boy was awarded the 2003 Lambda Literary Award in the Children/Young Adult section.
