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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: Ryan and Avery
Author: David Levithan
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 8-12 Genre/Type of Book: LGBTQ+ romance
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Kissing, no overt sexual scenes, but discussion of sex.
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I love David Levithan!
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
To read. To relate. To share.
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Review:
Ryan and Avery are two queer teenagers who we originally meet in Levithan’s book, Two Boys Kissing. Ryan, a 16-year-old boy, and Avery, a trans boy, meet at a Pride Prom. The book takes us through their first 10 dates, but not in chronological order. Levithan carefully develops these two characters as we witness their vulnerability and excitement as they come to know each other, and their relationship deepens through these dates. Levithan also does a great job of developing the relationships between the boys and their parents. Avery’s parents are supportive and encouraging while Ryan’s parents are worried and close-minded. The struggles Ryan faces with his parents are very unsettling, as is both boys’ experiences with bullying. However, despite these struggles, this is a love story! Levithan weaves a tale that clearly shows the boys’ developing relationship. They handle tough issues such as Ryan’s family and sex…with grace and sincerity. Although Avery's parents are supportive and welcoming to Ryan, they acknowledge that this relationship is new, and that the boys should proceed cautiously. They lovingly let Avery know that this relationship needs time to mature, and that Ryan needs time to work through his issues with his parents. The dialog in the chapter that includes this exchange is very well done, and very real. At the end of the book there is also a feeling of hope for Ryan’s parents. The ending is very well done! I am a sucker for a happy ending, and this did not disappoint. Levithan ties things together at the end by defining the word date: To give. To grant. To offer. As the reader experienced the 10 dates, this seems to be an appropriate way to bring things together. The author ends with two additional definitions: To give. To offer. To grant. To receive. To arrive. Queue the tissues.
I could see this as part of an author study, Levithan has a great body of work, or even as a study of alternative romance novels...a literature circle option.
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