Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Published: April 2010
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Audio Copy provided by: Overdrive courtesy of library
Summary: Goodreads

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.
Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

I had read quite a bit about this title in various blogs and found it quite intriguing, so when the opportunity arose for me to listen to it, I jumped at the chance. What an experience it has been. The story is narrated by MacLeod Andrews and Nick Podehl, who provide the two different voices of both Will Graysons. They are absolutely superb at projecting the differences between the two characters and even burst into song when the occasion demands it. I was completely enthralled by the story, and I can't actually imagine just reading it now.

This was a wonderful story about discovering who you really are and allowing yourself to be ok with that. The cast of supporting characters are perfect, with Tiny Cooper taking the prize for best overtly gay teen ever - think of the character Damian in the movie 'Mean Girls' x10 and you've got the picture. His is so much larger than life that you can''t help but love him. The two supporting female friends are fleshed out nicely and are allowed to make mistakes that they learn from. The parents of both boys are a very real presence without being too obtrusive and I liked that.

The story is about finding love, falling in love, being in love, coping with love and all the consequences that arise from that. Perhaps I should add, surviving love. I thoroughly enjoyed Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It made me laugh out loud and cry too - which gets you strange looks when you're driving the car in traffic! - and I would highly recommend it for boys and girls. It might even work for an ISU as a portrait of contemporary coming of age.


Note, perhaps this isn't for younger teens, there is a fair bit of language and sexual suggestion throughout the book, but I honestly can't imagine the book having such a strong impact if it wasn't there. If you don't like language or non-heterosexual relationships it won't appeal to you, but otherwise, give it a try.

Touch by Francine Prose

Published: June 2009

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 272

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

What really happened at the back of the bus?

Did they, or didn't they?
Did she, or didn't she?

Something happened to fourteen-year-old Maisie Willard—something involving her three friends, all boys. But their stories don't match, and the rumors spin out of control. Then other people get involved . . . the school, the parents, the lawyers. The incident at the back of the bus becomes the center of Maisie's life and the talk of the school, and, horribly, it becomes news. With just a few words and a touch, the kids and their community are changed forever.

From nationally acclaimed author Francine Prose comes an unforgettable story about the difficulties of telling the truth, the consequences of lying, and the most dangerous twist of all—the possibility that you yourself will come to believe something that you know isn't true.

Review:
This was a short book to read and may be a good one for an ISU project, especialy for someone who is a reluctant reader. Maisie is a girl who becomes isolated from the rest of her schoolmates when an incident occurs on the bus. While reading this story, I could really feel for this poor girl. Not only was she going through some real-life physicaly changes with her body but emotional ones as well. All of of her life she had been 'one of the guys'. From childhood, it was her and three other boys. When you are young, it does not matter if your friends are girls or boys, they are just friends. Maisie moves away for a year, develops breasts and BOOM! She is from another planet. It is bad enough that she is not comfortable with her own body yet but now the relationships she had as a child have also developed and changed. This story is about finding a way to be comfortable with yourself and finding a way to speak up. I was sad for her to see her friendships change so drastically but I never really felt like I was 'in her shoes'. The character didn't draw me in as emotionally as other books have.

Maisie did what many people do. In a panic and highly-charged emotional situation, it is hard to recall what is real and what is imagined. When something terrible happens, it is easier for you to become detached from what is going on. Right up until the end of the book I was questioning -

Did they? Didn't they?
Did she? Didn't she?

I love it when books still make you question what is happening right until the end. Even though I didn't feel like I connected with Maisie (except for feeling sorry for her), I still found it to be a quick, satifying read.