When Will's very gay, very large friend deserts him at a concert, he never expects to meet someone with his exact name. Life for the two Will Graysons, already complicated, becomes more so in a novel exploring teen relationships from differing perspectives. Andrews and Podehl are pitch-perfect in their interpretations of both Wills and the larger-than-life friend binding them together. Standard: Students will explore an author's use of point of view to develop characters and themes. Learning Activity: Give one theme for students to explore from their own points of view and compare and contrast the variety of stories created from this theme. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

John Green is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author whose many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. With his brother, Hank, John is one half of the Vlogbrothers (youtube.com/vlogbrothers), one of the most popular online video projects in the world. You can join John's 1.1 million followers on Twitter (@realjohngreen) or visit him online at johngreenbooks.com and fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com. John lives with his wife and son in Indianapolis, Indiana. David Levithan (davidlevithan.com) is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of many books for teens, including Boy Meets Boy and (with Rachel Cohn) Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. He is also an editorial director/VP at Scholastic US, where he founded their Push imprint.

Reviews

Told in alternating chapters by alternating narrators, John Green and David Levithan's masterful story (Dutton, 2010) is beautifully rendered as an audiobook. When Will Grayson, an awkward teen who's unsure of how to connect with others without getting hurt, and Will Grayson, an angry, gay teen, meet by chance, their lives are forever changed.and connected. The authors address friendship, self-identity, self-acceptance, true love, family, and prejudice in a story that's sure to touch listeners' hearts. MacLeod Andrews and Nick Podehl give poignant performances. A 2011 Odyssey Award Honor winner. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In alternating chapters, the authors track two teens, both named Will Grayson, who accidentally meet halfway through the novel, perhaps changing the trajectory of both of their lives. One Will is vintage Green: a smart nerd whose rules to live by include "don't care too much," with a scene-stealing sidekick-Tiny Cooper, a large, flamboyantly gay classmate intent on staging an autobiographical musical. The other will (lowercase throughout) is angry and depressed; the one bright spot in his existence is an online friendship with "Isaac." When will agrees to meet Isaac one night in Chicago, readers know nothing good will happen-and they will be wrong. A well-orchestrated big reveal takes the story in a new direction, one that gives (lowercase) will greater dimension. The ending is laudable but highly implausible. The journey to it is full of comic bits, mostly provided by the irrepressible Tiny, who needs his own novel. Frank sexual language-a shot at a bar "tastes like Satan's fire cock"-pushes this one to high school, where its message of embracing love in all its forms ought to find a receptive audience. Ages 14-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice
An ALA Stonewall Honor Book

"Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a complete romp. [It is] so funny, rude and original that by the time flowers hit the stage, even the musical-averse will cheer." -The New York Times Book Review

e"Will have readers simultaneously laughing, crying and singing at the top of their lungs."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"It is such a good book. [Green and Levithan] are two of the best writers writing today." -NPR's The Roundtable

"A brilliant novel." -The Seattle Times

"A winning combination infused with wit, sarcasm, and plenty of musical references." -Chicago Tribune

"A moving novel when it comes to the matters of the heart." -The San Diego Union-Tribune

"One of the best books of the year." -Bookpage

"A hilarious collaboration between superstar authors." -The Daily Beast

e"A terrific high-energy tale of teen love, lust, intrigue, anger, pain, and friendship threaded with generous measures of comedy and savvy counsel." -Booklist, starred review

"Entertaining . . . produces all the euphoria of an actual musical; readers will be on their feet." -The Horn Book

"Irresistibly funny, insistently wise, and filled with the honest power of friendship." -The Wichita Eagle

"This may well be the best novel that either John Green or David Levithan has ever written. Inventive and insightful." -Shelf Awareness

"This novel as serious buzz.-EntertainmentWeekly.com

e"Powerful, thought-provoking, funny, moving, and unique." -SLJ, starred review

"Original idea, well-written, humorous, touching . . . a great read." -Outsmart