David Levithan brings a 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson' character to life via a musical novel
Any 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson' reader will remember the character Tiny Johnson. Levithan has penned a musical-as-novel centering on Tiny's life that comes complete with stage directions.
'Hold Me Closer' is by David Levithan.
A young adult novel with a familiar character but an unusual format is getting rave reviews.
Readers of the John Green and David Levithan novel 鈥淲ill Grayson, Will Grayson鈥� will doubtless remember the character Tiny Johnson, Will鈥檚 gay football player best friend who loves musicals. Earlier this month, Levithan published a novel titled 鈥淗old Me Closer鈥� that focuses on Tiny but is written as if it were a stage show.聽
(Parents thinking of picking up 鈥淗old鈥� for their teenager should be aware that the novel has mature content.)
wrote that the book is 鈥渨orth multiple curtain calls,鈥� while children鈥檚 editor Jennifer M. Brown called the book 鈥渇abulous鈥�. numbers [are] brilliant鈥�. funny 鈥� and heart-wrenching.鈥澛�
Meanwhile, both and gave the book starred reviews. 鈥淩eplete with laugh-out-loud one-liners 鈥� this edgy, au courant novel tackles a potentially difficult subject head-on, while giving sound, if liberal, counsel on sexual issues for gays and straights alike,鈥� Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan of Providence鈥檚 LaSalle Academy wrote for SLJ. 鈥淚ts solid story line and realistic, 鈥榗olorful鈥� dialogue will appeal to high school readers. A welcome addition to progressive library collections, this unapologetic gem will encourage teens' discussion of a sensitive topic and potentially broaden their understanding of the meaning of "tolerance."
Meanwhile, wrote of the book, 鈥淭here are multiple moments in the spotlight, including solos and addresses to the audience, where Tiny will have readers falling out of their chairs laughing鈥�. It's outrageous and hilarious.鈥澛�