Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Good Afternoon readers! Wow, after only 2 weeks I am already proving to be a very unfaithful blogger! But let me show you what I've been doing that has taking away my time from updating my blog....

DIY flower girl dresses! For those of you who don't know, I am getting married in 10 days! And yes, I know that finishing the flower girl dresses 2 weeks before the wedding is cutting it close (believe me) but when your flower girls are both under the age of 2 and growing rapidly...it's hard to do it any other way! I am so incredibly excited about getting married that for the next, oh, 11 days I'll probably go on many wedding related tangents. So while we're on the topic of weddings, what is more appropriate than a book on L-O-V-E love? Though I will warn you, this is not your typical boy meets girl love story. In fact, it’s more along the lines of Boy Meets Boy...


If you ever find yourself in need of a pick me up, I would prescribe you a large dose of David Levithan’s debut novel, Boy Meets Boy .A story that is described as “a dippy, happy gay love story” on Levithan’s website, this book is an anthem to individuality, a chorus of diversity, and a brilliant ode to the beauty and joy of being in love. In Boy Meets Boy, David Levithan employs his usual poppy narrative style to tell the story of a young man in the prime of his adolescent life who finds himself floored by the possible love of his life. Following main character Paul through the sweet beginnings to the hold-your breath heartbreaks of love, readers are shown that love is found in many different forms and faces, and each kind of love is a stirring reminder that this truly is a wonderful world.

Moments of Brilliance:
Goodbye reality. Hello hope for a different reality.
This book is in no way typical. It could be categorized as a love story, a LGBT book, or a young adult coming-of-age novel, but in some ways it defies all three. In the same way, David Levithan has created in this book a beautiful world where no individual is defined simply by race, gender, or class, but by individuality itself. While Boy Meets Boy is no fantasy (don’t expect any vampires or werewolves jumping off the page at you), it nevertheless transports you to a whole new world driven by love, hope and acceptance. Oh, and did I mention that this book, to me, is the happiest book in the world? From its beautiful sparks of individuality to its awesome insights into life, this book never, and I mean never fails to put a smile on my face.

Love must be shown
It is so easy to say, “I love you.” But to show “I love you”? That’s a much more difficult task. In Boy Meets Boy, David Levithan shows us how beautiful love can be, and how difficult it can be to hold onto. But it’s possible. From a listening ear for a friend, a nod of approval to a son, or a list of "Words to Find and Know in this World" for the love of your life, Boy Meets Boy reminds readers that telling someone you love them is not enough, love must be shown.

A little bit of light
What makes me even more excited about this book? It reminds me that love shouldn't be reserved.Here's my moment of confession: When I first approached this book, my feelings towards homosexuality were very negative. But a couple pages into the book, I began to realize this story wasn't so different from other young adult love stories, and in many ways, it was better. I'm not exaggerating when I say that reading this book changed my outlook on a lot of things. It made me realize that love should not be withheld, and it opened my heart to many people who I had once looked upon with hesitation. In short, this book brought me a little bit of light.

And so did this article by Mr. Levithan himself. Enjoy!

The Tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread by Kate DiCamillo

Let me introduce you, readers, to a lovable tale about a mouse who loves a princess, a rat who wants beauty in his life, but instead finds heartbreak, and a cauliflower eared servant girl who hopes to be a princess. In her book The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo flawlessly weaves a tapestry of longing and betrayal, love and despair, darkness and beauty. Through this simple story about a mouse, a rat, and a servant girl, Kate presents a heartwarming story that reminds readers of all ages about the importance of beauty, hope, and love in a world that can otherwise seem so dark.

Moments of Brilliance:
Voice:. I have to admit, this is the first and (so far) only book I’ve read by Kate DiCamillo. But readers, I am in love with her voice. Her narration is charming; it is absolutely endearing. In fact, it makes me feel like we are close friends–a friend I could listen to all day. From frequent addresses to the reader to advice to look words up in the dictionary, the voice of this book creates an intimate fairy-tale flavor that I’m sure would have kept me reading even if the storyline itself had not. And even more, this style of narration allows for the incorporation of little moments of instruction or insights that allow the story to transcend from simply a book for children to a lovable story that reminds us all that love is deep and beautiful, hearts are fragile, and life is made wonderful by things unexpected.

Roscuro, the “Villain”:The richness of this story lies in the complexities of the characters, especially the spoon wielding villain, Roscuro. Have you ever wanted to hug a rat? I mean really just pick it up and embrace it, squeeze it? I can honestly say that, in real life, I have not. But while I was reading this book, all I wanted to do was pluck the poor villain Roscuro right out of the story and give him a big ol’ hug. The character of Roscuro is brilliantly crafted; he is a rat who, confined to the life of a dreadful rat in the dungeons, develops an intense longing for the world of the light–a world of beauty– and a life that is not defined by the limitations of being a rat. Readers are able to watch this poor rat struggle, experience heartbreak, and fall into a life of vengeance. Through the development of this character from a pitiable rat to a crooked, broken villain, Kate reminds readers that every person has the potential for good; love, or the absence of love, is the powerful mold that essentially defines us all.

Favorite Quotes:
“The world is dark, and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story.”

“Reader, you must know that an interesting fate awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.”

“Love is ridiculous. But love is also wonderful. And powerful.”

“Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light”

“All living things have a heart. And the heart of any living thing can be broken.”

“There are those hearts, reader, that never mend again once they are broken. Or if they do mend, they heal themselves in a crooked and lopsided way, as if sewn together by a careless craftsman.”

“And hope is like love... a ridiculous, wonderful, powerful thing.”