Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.
EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
5th grader Gideon left his new class novel on the table while he played video games. His mother picked it up and read just the ending. She didn't like something about the main characters, Oliver and Rick. She took the book away from Gideon and started an official book challenge. Gideon is so embarrassed, plus, he didn't get a chance to read the book so he has no idea what his mother's concern is - - and, it's not just his mom, several people in the community are jumping on board the challenge. When a classmate comes out at school, Gideon learns that the challenge is because his mom thinks the characters in the book are gay. Why should his mom be so worried about this? Gideon thinks he knows - Gideon likes his friend Roberto, and Roberto likes him back.
Levithan's story about a book challenge is timely, accurate, and realistic. There are so many quotable passages, and I would love to see this used as a class novel. Gideon and Roberto have a sweet relationship that grows, including kissing sessions involving chocolate. The reader also gets glimpses of the challenged book, so there's an additional storyline, but saying that it is an adventure is enough. Perfectly appropriate for upper elementary.
Lisa Librarian
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