Once I picked up Boy Meets Boy, I had a lot of trouble putting it down. I had never read a book like this in my entire life and I was very intrigued by the idea. The reality behind this book was amazing to me. The entire book I was waiting for the main character or author to just stop and say "wouldn't this be nice?". It was a world of imagination and one that I wish would replicate society today. I ask myself this question... will this ever be reality?
After two nights submerged in the life of Paul and his friends I finally finished. There was no ending that explained why the story was written like this or anything for that matter. I wanted to know more so I want to www.davidlevithan.com to see what he had to say about his book. The question I contemplated the entire book was right there in his bio which ironically is not so much about himself as a person himself as a writer and his work. He says " I’m often asked if the book is a work of fantasy or a work of reality, and the answer is right down the middle - it's about where we're going, and where we should be". Pleased with this answer I began to browse the other books he has written and I am definitely going to have to pick up several of them.
The entire time I was reading Boy Meets Boy it felt like everything made sense in the book and I loved it! I could have been reading about any high schooler dealing with life and relationships whether or not they were gay. I thought it was brilliant and relatable. The characters were diverse, the stereotypes were far from represented, except one which I would love to know the explanation for (if this character possibly represented someone from Levithans own life).
My only questions that I have about this book, which anyone should feel free to respond too, is where would this book fit in the classroom? What age is it appropriate for? Being a future teacher who will be having a very diverse collection of multicultural literature, I hope! I would like others ideas on how I or anyone else would be able to incorporate this into their collection because I think it is an excellent book and representation of a group or culture that needs to be heard from.
1 comment:
I agree Jenna, this book was very intriguing and enjoyable to read since it seemed like it could relate to anyone who was in the middle/high school age range or anyone who has gone through that age. Like you stated, it seemed to almost be set in a futuristic world where most people are extremely open to all sexual orientations. As a future teacher I also wonder how this book can fit into the classroom. I think the book is appropriate starting in middle school, maybe 7th or 8th grade through high school. The earlier students are able to read about students who accept each other for who they are, the better! Middle school as we all know is often a time for many students to try and "fit in" and through reading Boy Meets Boy students may be able to realize if they are different from their other friends this is perfectly fine. Better yet, there are most likely other students out there just like you, but are hiding their true identity to try and fit the "normal" mode. Although I think the book does do a great job going outside of almost all of the gay stereotypes, I felt there was a pretty strong sense of groups and cliques within the book. When Paul groups all of the Club Kids together and describes each of them with similar characteristics I was surprised. I am not sure why Levithan would work so hard at supporting every character in the book as an individual with their own personality and lifestyle to be supported, then go and generalize characteristics towards a group of students. This may be a point to discuss as well with students in a classroom setting, since groups and cliques are usually present within middle school and high school situations. This is probably a given, but also in a classroom context this is not a book I would just hand to students and say, ok go read. There would definitely have to be some discussion and teaching before reading the book about the GLBTQ culture, along with a preview about the book and information about the author as well to help the students critically understand the literature in a multicultural sense. I had also never read any novel with the main character identifying him or herself as gay, so I am glad that literature is now being published and read. I am also glad to know that as future teachers you, our section, and other sections or classes reading the book have been exposed to literature that can help expand students knowledge and give students a window or mirror to a culture that is not often represented.
Post a Comment