Different for Boys

Patrick Ness's "Different for Boys" is a poignant and frank young adult novel exploring the complexities of identity, sexuality, and friendship for gay teenagers. Protagonist Anthony "Ant" Stevenson navigates his first sexual experiences, questions of masculinity, and a tangled web of relationships, including a secret physical relationship with a homophobic friend and a budding connection with another boy. The book uses meta-humor and unique structural elements, like redacted language, to tell a story of loneliness, intimacy, support, and betrayal. It's suitable for ages 12-18, offering a candid look at the emotional and social challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth.

Friendship, masculinity, sex—Anthony Stevenson has a lot of questions. Is it different for boys who like boys? A poignant and frank story filled with meta-humor by renowned author Patrick Ness. Anthony “Ant” Stevenson isn’t sure when he stopped being a virgin. Or even if he has. The rules aren’t always very clear when it comes to boys who like boys. In fact, relationships of all kinds feel complicated, even with Ant’s oldest friends. There’s Charlie, who’s both virulently homophobic and in a secret physical relationship with Ant. Then there’s drama kid Jack, who may be gay and has become the target of Charlie’s rage. And, of course, there’s big, beautiful Freddie, who wants Ant to ditch soccer, Charlie’s sport, and try out for the rugby team instead. Ant’s story of loneliness and intimacy, of unexpected support and heart-ripping betrayal, is told forthrightly with tongue-in-cheek black-bar redactions over the language that teenagers would actually use if, you know, they weren’t in a story. Award-winning author Patrick Ness explores teen sexuality, friendship, and romance with a deft hand in this structurally daring, illustrated short novel.