Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:


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 both legions of faithful fans.

I was talking with one of my students on Friday in the library, and he told me, "Everyone I know is on a John Green kick, including you."  I didn't really think about it until then, but he is completely right.  I am on a bit of a John Green kick, and am enjoying it immensely.  Will Grayson, Will Grayson did not disappoint!

Obviously, as with any Green novel, the characters' hilarious voices are what makes it so special.  Adding in the collaboration with Levithan just made the characters even more charming and unique.  Though the two Will Graysons are the central characters, my personal favorite was Tiny Cooper, the "original" Will Grayson's gay best friend.  His eternal optimism, even in the face of disappointment (not to mention his fabulous song lyrics) made me cheer for him more than any other character.  However, both Wills were also written with such complexity; I felt like they were real.

The plot of this novel is not filled with a whole lot of action, but more the internal conflicts of the two Wills.  However, the narration is so well done that their personal thoughts and feelings seemed very eventful, even though most of what they are experiencing are "typical" teenage doubts.  Relationships, loyalty, trust, and fear of relying on someone else - I found myself genuinely caring about how the characters felt, and that's what compelled me to keep reading.  However, the humor in the novel certainly didn't hurt!

Content-wise, I will be honest, this book could offend some.  Though I absolutely adored it, I'm not sure I could handle the potential issues having it in my classroom could spark.  Language and plenty of sex references ran throughout the book, but added to what I felt were authentic teen voices.  Furthermore, it does explore the issue of homosexuality, which could be problematic in a more conservative school setting (as mine is).  However, I don't think these things were gratuitous, and literature should represent all types, even if some disagree.  In a larger library setting, this book would be entirely appropriate.  Moreover, for the right student, I think this book could have a profound effect and powerful message:  you are appreciated.

For now, I will be leaving my slight John Green kick as I embark on a few TBR books, and then devouring the Virginia Reader's Choice list.  Though no John Green is on there, I am thrilled that another David Levithan book is - Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.  Can't wait to try my second Levithan novel!

Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Image and summary from Goodreads.com:

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. 

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .


This was a book that I saw on NetGalley and got super-excited to read.  I love nothing more than a creepy dystopian novel, and this one fit the bill!  While it's exploration of society's obsession with youth was interesting, the overall book was a little bit underwhelming.


Personally, I felt that the characters were where this book fell a bit short.  Callie, the protagonist, was entertaining and believable as the narrator, but just didn't strike me as original.  I would have loved to see a bit of an "edge" to her, rather than just carrying the flag for her brother and the good of all youth.  Similarly, the love interest, Blake, was ... blah.  Cute, rich... ehhhhh.  I just wanted a bit more, and it wasn't delivered.  I honestly found myself not caring whether the two of them ended up together, which is never a good sign.  The characters I did love, however, were the various "enders" who were renting youthful bodies.  Their obsession with "living a youthful fantasy" did lead to some chuckle-worthy moments.


The plot in this book was exciting and engaging, but felt a bit too fast-paced.  Perhaps the event-driven plot was why there was so little character development.  I felt like I barely had time to breathe before the next car chase, explosion, or spy mission happened.  While fun to read, it left some holes in other areas which, unfilled, made the whole novel fall a little flat.  However, the ending was AWESOME, and left a cliffhanger that I am eager to see play out!


Content-wise, there is nothing with which a teacher should be concerned.  And honestly, the above whining is just because I am an overly picky reader.  I think the fast pace of the book, easy to understand characters, and suitably creepy premise would all hook my readers.  Plus, who doesn't love an attractive and shiny cover?


Overall, though perhaps not my favorite book, I will be happy to recommend it to my students.  It is the perfect quick read, and potentially a good "starter" for those new to dystopian fiction (couldn't resist a pun... :).