From School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up–Narrated by an often heavy-handed Greek chorus of men who died of AIDS, this novel features the stories of one transgender and several gay teens. It focuses on Harry and Craig, friends and ex-boyfriends who have set out to beat the Guinness World Record for kissing. Harry's parents accept that he is gay and are there as witnesses, while Craig's parents find out that he's gay after his mother is told about their record-breaking attempt. Other characters include Tariq, the victim of a hate crime; boyfriends Neil and Peter; and female-to-male (FTM) transgender teen Avery and his love interest, Ryan. Finally, there is isolated, angry, and disaffected Cooper. He spends his nights trolling sex sites online and runs away from home when confronted by his furious parents. Although Levithan has a tendency toward didacticism, his characters are likable, with some more developed than others. The story will engage readers, both female and male. The author's note discusses the true events that inspired this story. Despite its flaws, this title is recommended based on subject need.–Nancy Silverrod, San Francisco Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“There are more than two boys kissing in this book, and every one of them will reach your heart. You have to read this.”

- Rainbow Rowell, author of Eleanor & Park



“Remarkable.”

- Frank Bruni, The New York Times



Entertainment Weekly , August 21, 2013:

"Author David Levithan's poignant novel follows the stories of gay teens joined through an unconventional protest. A-"



The Washington Post , August 20, 2013:

"Over the years, Levithan has consistently explored new creative territory...'Two Boys Kissing' reveals his command of an intriguing, complex narrative with an unusual point of view: the first-person plural. This 'we' is the combined voice of men who died during the AIDS pandemic several decades ago. As the boys’ stories become more closely entwined and connect in a satisfying finale, the reflections of these 'shadow uncles' lend a quality of retrospection that is rare (and refreshing) in YA literature."



The Los Angeles Times , September 1, 2013:

"Open, frank and ultimately optimistic."



The Wall Street Journal Speakeasy , October 24, 2013:

"'Two Boys Kissing’ couldn’t have arrived at a more timely moment, just months after the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage. The shift in society’s attitudes towards the LGBT community has long been embraced by many in the young adult crowd. Levithan seems to intuitively understand this generation—and his new book allows him to bring their particular struggles and joys to life."



Newsday , August 21, 2013:

"We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, goes an oft-paraphrased line. David Levithan gives vivid voice to it in his latest YA novel, 'Two Boys Kissing'.



BookPage , August 28, 2013:

"Levithan’s powerful, multifaceted novel explores just how far things have come for many gay teens—and how far things still need to go."



Starred Review, The Bulletin , September 2013:

"Both celebratory and elegiac… There’s much to discuss here about identity, about social media, about community—and it would be a particularly stellar choice for a multi-generational LGTBQ-focused book club.”



Starred Review, Publishers Weekly , June 3, 2013:

"A landmark achievement from a writer and editor who has helped create, in literature, a haven for queer youth."



"No one does heart-pulling emotion like Levithan, and this book, coming a decade after his groundbreaking debut, 'Boy Meets Boy,' has special resonance."

- Gayle Forman, author of Just One Day and Just One Year, for Bookish.com



"Brilliant, moving, important, and wise."

- Jennifer E. Smith, author of This Is What Happy Looks Like and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight



WAMC Northeast Public Radio , September 19, 2013:

"Two Boys Kissing will make you laugh and cry, but best of all, it will make you relive those perfect innocuous moments of finding and then being with your first love."



Romantic Times Book Review , September 2013:

"Thought provoking, poignant and beautifully written, above all this is an unbelievably important book for anyone who has struggled with identity, love and loss. The omniscient narration is incredibly moving and appreciative of the fragility of life. A groundbreaking addition to the LGBT genre and community."



Kirkus Reviews , July 15, 2013:

"The novel has genuine moments of insight and wisdom...Inspiring."



Hypable.com , August 23, 2013:

"Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan takes the stories of all these boys and spins them into an interconnecting web that will leave you emotionally exhausted and absolutely thrilled to have read something so beautiful and unique...Will educate, entertain and move you."



Bookish.com , May 6, 2013:

"Levithan takes contemporary to a whole new space with this novel, finding new ground in storytelling around important issues that directly affect teens today."



Booklist , August 1, 2013:

"Levithan leans intensely into this work...There’s little doubt that this title, with its weight, significance, and literary quality, will find its way into LGBTQ and wider cannons. Stock up."



School Library Journal , September 2013:

"The story will engage readers, both female and male."



"The high level of imaginative and intuitive empathy that is apparent in all of his works is especially strong here—as not only are his protagonists fully realized, but so are the voices of the collective narration, whose experiences are as varied as the characters on the page... It is the best book I have read this year."

- Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Books Inc.



"Everyone needs to read this, not just YA. How perfectly David puts the past, present and future into one small novel. Now, as soon as my eyes stop watering and the goose bumps on my arms go away, I can continue my day."

- Carolyn Anbar, Watchung Booksellers



"Levithan's choice of narrator was inspiring and heartbreaking. Giving a voice to that generation and exposing young kids to those voices, blew me away...Two Boys Kissing feels like a very important book, something I think everyone should read and something that's touched me in a way no YA has in a really long time."

- John Kwiatkowski, Murder by the Book





From the Hardcover edition.