Boy Meets Boy

Boy meets Boy by David Levithan was definitely the most controversial book we have read in class (in my opinion). Homosexuality is an issue that is many times looked upon with distaste especially among heterosexual individuals. I assumed before reading this novel that 'gayness' as an issue of the book was going to be met with many negative consequences. To my surprise Levithan created a story where the gay characters in the novel struggled but not with 'being gay' as the ultimate dilemma. Instead the characters went about their lives as any other high school student who faces crushes, fights between friends, and other issues. Although this novel celebrated homosexuality many could wonder whether or not Levithan overly romanticized the topic. Perhaps the setting and the characters were too much part of a fantasy world to make the actual plot seem serious.

I personally believe that not every story has to have issues involving race, or gender, or sexual preference. I believe that readers expect drama and consequence involving such topics however perhaps Levithan did not want to create characters with dilemma's about being gay but instead wanted to show similarities between 'straight' and 'gay' individuals. Why define people by what they are not? Instead, it may be more benificial to define people by what and who they are!