Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

Module 3: Adventure, Sports & Mystery

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Crutcher, Chris. 1993. STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES. New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday. ISBN: 044021906X

2.  SUMMARY

Eric Calhoune, known by others as Moby (as in the whale due to his size), is a high school senior whose best friend, Sarah Byrnes, has been put in a mental hospital because she refuses to speak. Being disfigured by burns she received when she was a small child, Sarah Byrnes has always been a friend to Eric even when his excess weight made him an outcast at school. Now Sarah Byrnes needs Eric to be her strength like she was for him in junior high. Eric does not know who he can trust but finds himself turning to the most unlikely people to find a way to protect his best friend. This novel explores what it’s like to be an outcast, friendship, and about standing up for what is right.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

It is easy to see in this novel why author Chris Crutcher is the most challenged author in North America. With its main plot of bullying and abuse and the subplots of questioning faith, abortion and the questioning of authority; it is easy to see this selection could ruffle a few feathers. According to The ALAN Review, “Crutcher handles difficult topics such as abuse, abortion, and religious rigidity with his characteristic intelligence, humor, and empathy.” 

This book delves into many hot topic issues that teens will find interesting. The story revolves around two main characters, Eric and Sarah Byrnes, who demands her whole name be used. With burns on her face and her last name emphasizing the fact; it seems to be Sarah’s way of making others fell uncomfortable.  Being tough is the only way Sarah Byrnes has survived her disfiguring scars. Eric says in the book, "We became friends when I was as fat as she is ugly, and I promised a long time ago that I would never turn away from her--told us both that my feelings for her weren't selfish, that I didn't like her only because we shared 'terminal uglies', as she put it." Both characters share qualities that make them an easy target for bullies and bystanders who let things go and avoid the truth. And when Eric learns the truth about the burns to Sara’s face he emotionally states, "But Sarah Byrnes is my friend. She was with me when nobody else was. In the days of my life when my body embarrassed and humiliated me every time anyone laid eyes on me, Sarah Byrnes--this person with fifty times my reasons to be embarrassed and humiliated--walked with me, even ahead of me. I can't stand to imagine someone hurting her like that on purpose". The friendship and bond they share rings true throughout the entire book. The compassion he has for Sarah never falters. The relationship isn’t a boyfriend/girlfriend type as you would expect but one created by a common bond and a common zeal for standing up for themselves. Eric is a swimmer for his school's swim team and through rigorous training loses some weight. The title of the book is derived of his need to stay overweight for Sarah Byrnes for she cannot change her physical appearance and he feels the need to stay loyal to their pact and friendship.

Eric Calhoune narrates his and Sarah Byrnes story in the first person point of view. Presenting the stories in a series of flashbacks and present tense scenes, Eric weaves the story and the pieces that allow the reader bits and pieces to create their own whole story. The reader stays locked into the story due to Eric’s clear and thrilling narration. Also the first person narration works well for this book as the story of Sarah’s abuse becomes more evident, having Eric tell it as a bystander presents it in an objective manner.

The book is set in Spokane, Washington in the winter. The story is mostly told from either the hospital in which Sarah is a patient after she stopped talking or from the high school in which both she and Eric attend. The high school setting allows the atmosphere to develop and the conflicts of the teens to take place. The school becomes a character in itself with Eric not only dealing with Sarah’s physical abuse suffered by the hands of her father but also the dynamics between him and his swim team coach and his oft opinionated classmates. Subplots from the book come from a class called Contemporary American Issues, where current teen issues are discussed. Abortion, religion and suicide are topics explored and brought out through various character’s admissions, radical beliefs and attitudes about these issues. The focus of the story never leaves Sarah Byrnes, but Crutcher, like a skilled writing craftsman, weaves topics he knows will raise an interest and create a stir.

The epilogue wraps up the story nicely, showing the reader how everything worked out in the end so that everyone is happy. It is a bit too much of a fairy tale ending but one that leaves the reader optimistic of the character's futures.

4.  AWARDS/REVIEWS

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "[A] transcendent story of love, loyalty and courage...Superb plotting, extraordinary character's and crackling narrative make this novel one to be devoured in a single unforgettable sitting."

BOOKLIST review:"...strong on relationships, long on plot, and has enough humor and suspense to make it an easy booktalk with appeal across gender lines."

SLJ review:"...A story about a friendship with staying power, written with pathos and pointed humor."

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE review: "Against a swimming backdrop Crutcher

BULLETIN/CENTER for the CHILDREN’S BOOK review: "Crutcher's teen-appealing style...keeps the colorfulness quotient high, and kids will appreciate the triumph of the underdog protagonists."

ALA Best Book for YA 1994
SLJ Best Book for YA 1993
American Booksellers Pick of the List
California Young Reader Medalist
1995 Joan Fassler Memorial Book Award
ALA Best of the Best Books for YA
Publisher's Weekly Starred Review
1994 South Dakota YARP Best Books
Nominee 1995-1996 Iowa Teen Award
Nominee 1995-1996 SC YA Book Award
Nominee 1996 Young Reader's Choice Award
Nominee 1996-1997 ILF Rosie

5.  CONNECTIONS

http://www.safechild.org Provides information on indications of physical abuse, booklists, and counseling information.

http://www.self-esteem-nase.org/ National Association for Self-Esteem. Provides information about self-esteem as well as activities and resources for building self-esteem

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/ Official web site for the National Institute of Mental Health. Provides information on mental health issues.

http://www.chriscrutcher.com/index.html Provides more information about the author.

Notes From the Dog by Gary Paulsen

Module 3: Adventure, Sports & Mystery

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Paulsen, Gary. 2009. NOTES FROM THE DOG. New York: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-73845-3

2.  SUMMARY

Finn, a 15 year old boy has a hard time relating to people. His goal for summer break is to have contact with no more than 12 people. But when Johanna moves in next door to house sit for the summer, and befriends Finn, his summer plans take a turn. Johanna, a high spirited twenty something with breast cancer, takes Finn on as her distraction for the summer. With her encouraging notes via the family dog she works to make Finn more of an extrovert and push through his insecurities.

Joanna takes charge of Finns summer along with his friend Matthew and enlists the boys in developing a garden in Finns back yard for her to enjoy as she deals with the ups and downs of chemotherapy. As Finn and Joanna develop their relationship, Finn breaks out of his reclusive shell. He begins a relationship with a girl his age, fundraising in public for Joanna's abridged triathlon to earn funds for cancer research, and begins to embrace the fact that having people and relationships in his life is not necessarily a bad thing.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Readers who are familiar with Gary Paulsen and his adventure tales will find Notes From the Dog out of sync with his normal writing style. Paulsen tells a simple story of Finn, a 15 year old introvert, whose goal is to spend the summer alone as much as possible. Finn states, "Sometimes having company is not all it's cracked up to be". Preferring to be lost in a book over spending time with people, Finn envisions his summer in solitude. The story, as told by Finn, pulls the reader into the story with his typical boyish awkwardness and his developing change in personality. As the story evolves, Finn quickly follows. His care for Johanna while she is deathly ill from her chemo treatments, to his hard nose approach to fundraising for cancer brings the reader along for the ride as Finn's personality and persona change. Johanna is no fading flower.  With the help of the family dog, Dylan, Johanna writes encouraging notes to Finn and has them delivered with a little extra dog drool included. Finn comments in the book, “Before Johanna, I never was the highlight of someone’s day”. Johanna has a way of bringing Finn out of his reclusive state, either intentionally through the building of a backyard oasis or unintentionally when she becomes too ill and Finn and Matthew must take charge of fundraising and running in Johanna’s place in the charity race. SLJ reviewer, Allison Follos writes, “Johanna's spirit and optimism infuse Finn with courage and love, and he finds his voice.”  The book slowly reveals to the reader the development of both characters into strong individuals.

The setting can be described as a typical white picket fence neighborhood. The sense of community is present but not overplayed. As more characters are introduced into Finns story (Johanna's parents, Matthew, Finn's  grandfather, Johanna's grandmother, Fernanda) the reader gets a grasp of a neighborhood that has come together for Joanna, her cause and the evolution of Finn from a loner to a caring, take charge young man.

The book may be a far different in comparison to Paulsen's other novels, but readers will find this short novel a light, humorous and touching story about the need for human contact and compassion.

4.  REVIEWS/AWARDS

SLJ review: This candid and tender tale, told with his signature humor, is a salute to the bravest of the brave.—Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

VOYA Review:  "Finn discovers a developing talent for connecting with others as he breaks out of his seclusion and soon the lives of his father and even his granddad are touched by his efforts. There is an undercurrent of lighthearted comedy in Finn's efforts with the garden and his fund raising speeches. Given the brevity of the book and its inclination to be a book for "boys," it could be recommended to reluctant readers."

Margaret A. Edwards Award

Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2010

5.  CONNECTIONS

Gary Paulsen is a world renowned author of adventure stories for YA. Below are websites to more of about Paulsen and his works.

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/

http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Graduate/TC/CLZ/garypaulsen.html

I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Alley Carter

Module 3: Adventure, Sports & Mystery

1.  BIBLIOGRAHY

Carter, Alley. 2006. I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You. Ney York, NY. Hyperion. ISBN: 9781423100041

2.  SUMMARY

15 year old Cammie Morgan attends school at the Gallagher Academy.  To outsiders that reside in the community of Roseville, the school appears to be a private girl’s school for the social elite. The Academy wouldn’t want you thinking otherwise.  As it turns out, inside the grounds the Gallagher girls are a group of elites ….of the spying kind!

While most young high school students are stressing about English reports and math formulas, Cammie and her classmates are stressing about choke holds and which of the 14 languages they must converse in at lunch. Add to the mix your mom being the Headmistress, a cute boy and some gal pal espionage, Cammie’s life is never dull.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

VOYA reviewer, Stacey Hayman commented in her review “Written in an easy-to-read, conversational tone, this novel combines the real ‘learning how to talk to boys’ and the unreal ‘learning how to be a secret agent for the government’ in a strangely believable way.” 

Author, Ally Carter’s first book takes a light heart approach to friendship, love and adventure.  Carter creates an all girls school for Spies.  The brightest young girls attend this secret school to develop such skills as taking a post-it note and turning it into a murderous ninja star or combining toothpaste and dental floss to create a nuclear type weapon. To the outsiders that live in town, the school warehouses spoiled young ladies of the rich and famous. Typically, the only glimpses they see of these girls are there closely guarded outings in town. Carter does an excellent job of describing both sides of life inside the academy and the outside in which the girls hone their spying skills.

To add to the already present thrill of spy language used throughout the book (tapping phones, hacking computers, code names)  things take an interesting turn when Cammie runs into a boy from town while on a class assignment of the spying sort. In the book Cammie states, “All these years I’d thought being a spy was challenging. Turns out, being a girl is the tricky part.” The author uses this part of the story to capture the young reader’s attention with a typical teen relationship.

I found the plot to be on the light side; with climaxes getting no more serious than if Cammie blows her cover. Some characters seem to be forgotten about as is the case for the new girl, Macey, who has a few parts here and there but is never really developed.  She may have more of a starring role in later books and her appearance in this book merely an introduction.  I kept waiting for a big cliff hanger involving her and it never materialized.

Josh, the boy thrown into the middle of Gallagher girl world and a love interest for Cammie, seems to fall short of character development and I couldn’t ever decide if Cammie really did love him or was she just into him because he was the first boy she had ever been in contact with on a social level. Carter did develop a love interest not typical of one you find in other young adult novels. Josh was not a creep, abusive, lust driven or the jealous type often depicted in those novels. He was more of the boy every mother dreams of for their daughter, as he showed through standing up for Cammie with his friends.

Even with the books few short-comings the author did manage to get you hooked into these easy going stories and makes you want to continue reading the rest of the series. This is a great novel for the younger teens, which will enjoy the light action and simple love story.

4.  REVIEWS

SLJ review: Cammie Morgan attends prestigious Gallagher Academy, a girl's private high school for geniuses that actually teaches the latest techniques in espionage. Everything about her life is top secret, so when she meets Josh on an outing in town she lies about her background so that he will think she has a normal life. In order to continue their ever-deepening friendship, Cammie sneaks out through the school's tunnel, exchanges messages under a rock, and has her friends cover for her. By the end of Ally Carter's novel (Hyperion, 2006) the truth is revealed and Cammie has learned more about herself than she has about spying. The unique plot, snappy dialogue, and Cammie's wry asides maintain the interest of listeners. Written in the first person, listeners feel the excitement, frustrations, and insecurities of teenage life. Rene Raudman's overly dramatic narration is appropriate for the story and will keep listeners interested. She gives each character a unique voice and changes pace to heighten the mood. An excellent choice for young teens.-Claudia Moore

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: The spy game isn't just a guy game, as witnessed by Carter's diverting entry into the flurry of teen espionage novels flashing loads of girl power. Unfortunately, Raudman sounds like she's straining (and sometimes squeakily so) to sound younger than she is and her intonation is a bit off, giving her reading a falseness that's hard to overcome. Cammie is a sophomore at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women a place that lives up to its name, as Cammie knows 14 languages and is a skilled killing machine. Of course, Gallagher girls become the most elite spies, and Cammie fires ahead on that career track (as was her mother, now the school's headmistress) until romance with an ordinary guy, no less threatens to derail her progress. Despite any shortcomings, aficionados of this burgeoning fiction genre will be tempted to give this title a go. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

5.  CONNECTIONS

Continue reading more about Cammie and The Gallagher Academy through these additional titles:

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover

Only the Good Spy Young

Out of Sight, Out of Time (releasing in March 2012)

Author Website:

http://allycarter.com/

Spy Society/Gallagher Girls Website:

http://spysociety.weebly.com/ally-carter.html

Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Module 2: Realism, Romance and Censorship

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bauer, Joan. 2000. HOPE WAS HERE. New York, NY.  Scholastic. ISBN: 043952346

2.     SUMMARY

Life is nothing short of uneventful for 16 -year old Hope, formally named Tulip (that name HAD to go). Life began for Hope as a premature baby that was abandoned by her mother and left to be raised by her Aunt Addie. As Hope and Addie move around the country to waitress at greasy spoons they find themselves at The Welcome Stairways Diner in Mulhoney, Wisconsin. Shortly after arriving at the diner, Hope learns that the owner, G.T. has leukemia and to make the whole situation more interesting, he is running for mayor against previously undefeated, longtime mayor Eli Millstone. Hope discovers a crooked politician, a boyfriend, and the love and stability of a family, something Hope has spent her life looking to find to ease the pain of her troubled past.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Author, Joan Bauer tells a story complete with real life social issues rounded out with bits of humor, to add to Hope’s persona. While the book is easy to read, the reader will work through several issues that teens find appealing; love and loss. Typically teen girls can find this type of novel easy to relate to, and a character to connect with as Hope struggles through her past and the accomplishments she makes regarding her not so perfect upbringing. In the end Hope finds what it is she has been searching for, her own voice, someone to love and someone to step in and take the place of a father figure in her life. The reader will find strong characters and a theme based on working hard in life and that anyone can make a difference.

Using the diner as a setting for Hopes transient life allows people to come and go as customers would but also allows for the "regulars" to stay and become part of the plot. Waiting tables, viewed as hard work with long hours and low pay, shows the character of both Hope and her Aunt as individuals willing to work hard and display passion for what they do. As Hope's Aunt Addie comments when visiting the cafe as a customer for the first time, "The dessert case is unacceptable," and discusses plans on how to add new menu items before she has even worked a day depicts her work ethic and the pride she takes in her job. This care and pride has carried over into Hope's life as well.

Realism plays a major role in this story and how Hope's life is portrayed. Hope suffers from being abandoned as a child and not knowing her biological father. To get another perspective, Braverman (Hopes boyfriend and cook at the diner) has had both his parents since birth, but his father eventually leaves him and his mother. It seems both characters were developed to give the story a larger variety of issues that readers can identify with, as both characters struggle to deal with the feelings they have for their parents.

Bauer rounds out the book with conflict and suspense by adding the 'less than ethical' election of the town's mayor. Hope steps forward to right the wrongs, but a happy plot ending doesn't surface. A great book like this doesn't need a happy ending to teach a valuable lesson about humility.


 4.    AWARDS/REVIEWS

2001 Newbery Honor Book

ALA Notable Book

Winner of the Christopher Award

ALA Best Book for Young Adults Selection

SLJ review: “Teens who have come to expect witty, realistic characters and atypical (but very funny) story lines from Bauer's previous books will not be disappointed and new readers will be sure to come back for seconds. Tracey Firestone, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

BOOKLIST review:  “Ever since her mother left, Hope has, with her comfort-food-cooking aunt Addie, been serving up the best in diner food from Pensacola to New York City. Moving has been tough, so it comes as a surprise to 16-year-old Hope that rural Wisconsin, where she and her aunt have now settled, offers more excitement, friendship, and even romance (for both Hope and Addie) than the big city. In this story, Bauer has recycled some charming devices from her popular Rules of the Road (1998): Jenna's road rules have become the Best-of-Mom tips for waitressing; the disappearing parent is Hope's irresponsible mom; and the villains are politicians, not corporate America. Like Bauer's other heroines, Hope is a typical teenage girl who works hard, excels at her part-time job, and plans for her future. The adults around her, though mostly one-dimensional, together create a microcosm of society--the best and the worst of a teenager's support system. It's Bauer's humor that supplies, in Addie's cooking vernacular, the yeast that makes the story rise above the rest, reinforcing the substantive issues of honesty, humanity, and the importance of political activism. Serve this up to teens--with a dash of hope. Frances Bradburn

5.    CONNECTIONS

Pick a vivid passage from the book that stands out in your mind. Then, draw a picture of that scene with markers or other materials - making sure to use lots of color. Next, show the picture to a friend and ask them to describe what they see. How is what they describe different from what actually happened in the book?
Delicious, homemade food can lift someone's spirits; make them feel better - just as it does at the Welcome Stairways Diner. Perhaps that's why it's called "comfort food." Is there a favorite meal that always makes you feel better? Make a menu of some of your favorite foods, and describe whether that food has any special healing powers.

Write a letter to someone you see and talk to every day, someone who's very important to you. Tell them why you're thankful they are a part of your life. Try to describe feelings and emotions that wouldn't normally come up in conversation, or point out good qualities of theirs that you might often take for granted. You don't have to send it, but you may want to.

Tell the class that they are going to create sandwich names for each of the main characters in the book. Each sandwich name should be descriptive enough to show that character’s personality.

For each sandwich on the "menu" students should:
·    Describe the sandwich. What will you put in it? How much will it cost?

·    Name it appropriately and explain how the sandwich name tells about the main personality traits of the character.

·    Have students make one of their character sandwiches and bring it to school. Label each sandwich name with a toothpick and piece of paper. Have students explain and discuss their sandwich names.
Other Books with Strong Female Characters

Chocolate for a Teen's Soul: Life-Changing Stories for Young Women About Growing
by Kay Allenbaugh
Inspiring true short stories about growing up.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
A teenage girl faces the challenges of high school. This novel involves sensitive issues.

Other Books by Joan Bauer

Backwater
Rules of the Road
Squashed
Thwonk
Sticks

Links

http://www.leukemia.org The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides readers with recent medical news, press releases, disease information and patient services.

http://www.dinercity.com This fabulous online guide includes a state by state directory to diners, reviews of diners, diner facts, links to other diner sites, and even diners for sale.

Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Module 2: Realism, Romance and Censorship

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2006. DRUMS, GIRLS & DANGEROUS PIE. New York, NY. Scholastic. 0439755204

2.    SUMMARY

Steven Alper lives a typical 8th grader’s life. School is a necessary evil, he rocks the drums, two girls in his school have sparked his interest and he has the most annoying 5 year old brother. His life is typical until October, and Steven wishes the 7th had never rolled around. Jeffrey, Stevens little brother, gets a nosebleed that doesn’t stop. After being rushed to the emergency room it is discovered that Jeffrey has a form of cancer known as Leukemia.

Steven’s ordinary life turns out of the ordinary as he deals with his brother’s illness, the financial strain it has on his parents, slipping grades and,of course, middle school girls. Suddenly the family’s focus becomes all about Jeffrey while Steven is often left to fend for himself and learns about growing up one life lesson at a time.

3.    CRITICAL  ANALYSIS

The author, Jordan Sonnenblick does an outstanding job mixing the humor of a 13 year old boy with the care and grace of a heavy-hearted topic like cancer, and develops a humorous and honest book that allows the reader to look into the struggles an everyday family faces when dealing with a life threatening disease.

"The Most annoying thing in the world is...my little brother, " Steven writes as his response to his English classes writing prompt. What Steven learns throughout the story he tells is that he and Jeffrey are bonded together by more than just blood, as love and compassion develop throughout this book.

Readers will find this story realistic, funny and touching as the protagonist narrates his own story with a sense of humor about his canny ability to not recognize his own social inadequacies, his love of music, his impatience with the “rents’” ( slang for parents) and the complicated feelings he feels for two girls. The majority of the book’s content takes a look at how a family deals with a serious illness and how it upsets the delicate balance of family life: changes occur in family member’s roles, the financial burden the family feels from medical bills and the shift in responsibility as Steven must adapt to the changes. The never ending trips to Philly that take mom and Jeffrey away from the home while Jeffrey seeks treatment, the absent but present father agonizing over the family debt and Stevens self isolation at times playing his drums gives the tone of the book a connection that one can identify with and allow one to understand this families situation. The emotional ups and downs Steven and his family face, dealing with both humor and concern is an instant connection for teen readers. Along with supporting characters at home, hospital and school, Jeffrey's story gains depth and Steven's love for his brother starts to shine through. A review from Kirkus sums up the true depth of the story, "The reader falls in love with the brothers, laughing and crying by turns and rooting for both of them until it almost hurts".

4.    AWARDS/REVIEWS

BOOKLIST review: "Steven Alper is a typical eighth-grader--smarter than some, a better drummer than most, but with the usual girl problems and family trials. Then, on October 7, his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey, falls, has a nosebleed that doesn't stop, and is diagnosed with leukemia. All hell breaks loose. Mrs. Alper's days and nights revolve around getting Jeffrey to his chemotherapy treatments, and Mr. Alper retreats into a shell, coming out only occasionally to weep over the mounting medical bills. Steven becomes the forgotten son, who throws himself into drumming, even as he quits doing his homework and tries to keep his friends from finding out about Jeffrey's illness. A story that could have morphed into melodrama is saved by reality, rawness, and the wit Sonnenblick infuses into Steven's first-person voice. The recriminations, cares, and nightmares that come with a cancer diagnosis are all here, underscored by vomiting, white blood cell counts, and chemotherapy ports. Yet, this is also about regrouping, solidarity, love, and hope. Most important for a middle-grade audience, Sonneblick shows that even in the midst of tragedy, life goes on, love can flower, and the one thing you can always change is yourself."  Ilene Cooper


Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award (formerly Arizona Young Readers Award), Award Categories: Picture Book, Intermediate Book, Tween Book, Non-fiction Book (Grade level designations are not given.), 2009, Tween

Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award, Award Category: Grades 4-8, 2008, Grades 4-8

Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Award Categories: Picture Book, Grades 4-6, Grades 6-9, High School, 2008, Grades 6-9

Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, Award Categories: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, 2008, Division II, Grades 6-8

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, Award Categories: Grades K-3, Grades 3-6, Grades 6-8, Young Adult, 2009, Grades 6-8

5.    CONNECTIONS

Curriculum: http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/DRUMS_curriculum_unit.pdf

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Module 2: Realism, Romance and Censorship

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Levithan, David. 2003. BOY MEETS BOY. New York, NY. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN
0375832998.

2.    SUMMARY

Boy Meets Boy tells the story of Paul, an openly gay sophomore at a high school that seems out of the ordinary: Cheerleaders on Harleys, The Star quarterback is also the Homecoming Queen and bonds seem to develop between different cliques as they work together on the annual school dance. Paul has always known of his sexual orientation and it was confirmed for him in kindergarten when he caught a glimpse of his teacher’s note on his report card that said, “Paul is definitely gay and has a very good sense of self.”

Amongst all the high school drama, Paul meets Noah who he is convinced is the one for him and in true teen form he undermines the forming relationship. Enter ex-boyfriend to mess things up. Getting his love life back in order becomes top priority. Paul devises a week long swooning and with the help of his odd mix of friends and his amazing sense of self, Paul can pull anything off.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Author David Levithan has developed a story almost impossible to believe, yet rightly so, as I find it parallels stories often written for relationships of opposite genders. Why can’t same sex relationships be just like the many story lines of the ones found on library shelves? Levithan has done just that. He has created literature to give everyone young love, loss of love and back-on again love, regardless of the love’s persuasion.

Levithan develops a self-assured character in Paul. Since the note on his report card, Paul has lived his life being openly gay. He was the first openly gay third grade president, took another boy to the 5th grade formal and develops a gay food column in the 8th grade. Paul has never had to hide who he really is, not from his parents or his classmates. His gay friend Tony is another story. Tony’s devout Christian parents have been less than pleased with Tony’s lifestyle choice and attempt to “ungay” their son as much as any parents can. Only allowing dates with girls and a watchful eye makes Tony’s life the exact opposite of Paul’s.  I believe both characters were developed this way by the author to give the reader two sides of the issue and one character they may identify with more than the other.

As the story develops Paul discovers a new student, Noah, who his heart pines for. Still having feelings for his ex-boyfriend, Paul finds himself in some sticky situations. One of which is standing beside Tony and helping Tony work through the problems he faces with his family. Paul also suffers the pain of losing a close friend because of her choice of a boyfriend. The sub-stories develop while Paul loses Noah over kissing his old boyfriend. Paul decides this was a mistake and begins his week-long love-fest to get Noah back. Paper cranes, poetry and notes passed, help bring Paul and Noah to a place where they can start fresh.

The groups high school is described as “one like no other” and I have to agree. This is a school as you hope things could be, but in actuality are not. Although Paul does face some teasing and name-calling, I don’t feel the book describes the true issues that gay and lesbian teens face each day through bullying and physical violence. Paul’s self confidence and his ability to deal with situations with humor makes the ideal seem norm. The inclusion of Tony and his family’s anti-gay stance does bring some true-life issues to the story and makes it an authentic piece of literature.

This book is not written just for gays, lesbians or transgender.  I believe anyone can relate to the mixture of characters and the same teen issues that every kid goes through, regardless of who they are and who they are becoming.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

Recipient of the 2003 Lambda Literary Award in the Children/Young Adult section

BOOKLIST review: “Though at times arch and even precious, this wacky, charming, original story is never outrageous, and its characters are fresh, real, and deeply engaging. In its blithe acceptance and celebration of human differences, this is arguably the most important gay novel since Nancy Garden's Annie on My Mind; it certainly seems to represent a revolution in the publishing of gay-themed books for adolescents.”

KIRKUS review: “With wry humor, wickedly quirky and yet real characters, and real situations, this is a must for any library serving teens.”

CHILDREN"S LITERATURE review: “This touching story focuses upon the emotions and humor involved in teenage relationships. If the book did not start with an introductory chapter filled with gay stereotypes, it would have a strong appeal to any teenager. The stereotypes serve to de-humanize the characters rather than present them as ordinary teens with human problems. Positively, the story progresses with strongly developed characters that carry the rich storyline, making the book an enjoyable read.”

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) review: “David Levithan constructs a remarkable and hopeful fantasy: a world where gay teens and straight teens are all just teens. By the third chapter of this remarkable novel, that world feels like something that seems quite possible.”

5. CONNECTIONS

After Tony stands up to his parents, and is allowed to have Paul in his room to study with the door open, Paul states in the book on page 158;

“This is what a small victory feels like: it feels like a little surprise and a lot of relief. It makes the past feel lighter and the future seem even lighter than that, if only for a moment. It feels like rightness winning. It feels like possibility.”

This would be a good prompt for writing. Students could write about small achievements that sent powerful messages or even ones they have observed by others. A beginning example could be Rosa Parks and her choice not to sit at the back of the bus.