David Levithan's 'Answers in the Pages' is a timely young adult novel that tackles book censorship and LGBTQ+ identity through a clever, multi-layered narrative. The story follows Donovan, a high school student whose assigned reading, 'The Adventurers,' sparks a town-wide panic over its perceived gay characters. As Donovan grapples with his mother's objections and community uproar, the book interweaves three distinct storylines: Donovan's real-world struggle, the thrilling adventure of Rick and Oliver within 'The Adventurers,' and the developing relationship between two other students, Gideon and Roberto. It's a powerful and humorous exploration of bravery, standing up for intellectual freedom, and the importance of self-discovery, making it an excellent choice for sparking discussions with young readers aged 12-18.
Donovan is excited to read The Adventurers, the new book Mr Howe has assigned his class. But before he can dig in, his mother gets her hands on it—and she is not excited by what she reads. Soon the whole town is freaking out about whether the book’s two main characters are gay, and Donovan is caught in the middle. Rick and Oliver are the two main characters in The Adventurers. They’re trying to stop an evil genius from acquiring the Doomsday Code and destroying life as we know it. Meanwhile, Gideon and Roberto have been paired up on their own book project, which draws them closer and closer together... With Answers in the Pages, bestselling author David Levithan delivers a bold, fun story about taking action (whether it’s against book censors or killer alligators), being brave (in love and in adventure) and standing up for what’s right, no matter the circumstances. David Levithan is an award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of young adult books, including 19 Love Songs, Every Day, Boy Meets Boy, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn) and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with John Green). He lives in New Jersey and spends his days in New York, editing and publishing other people’s books. ‘Levithan’s warm and conversational voice is likely to disarm even the most hard-hearted, drawing them into the loving worlds of his carefully observed characters.’ Good Reading