Will+Grayson,+Will+Grayson

Discussion page for //Will Grayson, Will Grayson// by John Green and David Levithan Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a hoot! Told from the viewpoints of Will Grayson a deux by popular authors John Green and David Levithan this story incorporates the best from each. Teen angst, mistaken identity, theatre and a road trip; there is a lot going on here! Perhaps more amusing because the main characters are guys, this would have appeal for both sexes, grades 9-12 and should be on the list of the final 13. gkadams

This book would be a great choice, it's unusual and fun. It's told by two alternating narrators, both named Will Grayson, who live in nearby towns in Illinois and whose lives intersect in crazy ways. A lot of the story revolves around Will's friend Tiny, who is a gay football player, and is writing a musical about his life. He gets involved with one of the Wills, and their relationship is sweet and full of typical teen drama. I think this book would be good for both boys and girls in 9-12, it's fast paced and uplifting, and deals with interesting issues--online relationships and identities, being gay in high school. It also reminds me a little bit of the TV show Glee which is so popular right now. - Joan, Derry Public Library

This book just received the Stonewall Honor Award. Sharon Flesher-Duffy, Nashua High South

I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads when I read it. Although the gay Will Grayson's chapters lack capitalization and it really put me off at first. I do not have a good impression of people who type like that. But eventually I warmed to him, because he was actually smarter than his lack of capitalization was making him out to be. The lack of caps probably wouldn't put most teens off, and might even be a plus to them. Then again, if it's well-read teens we're talking about, it might bug them just as much as me. And there totally ought to be a musical based on the big gay musical in this. -- Julie Andrews, Nashua Public Library

I loved this book (and admittedly love most work by either Green or Levithan). Despite the title, it's a story about Tiny Cooper, and it is wonderful to see how his best friend can express his emotions to him, even in a way that makes him feel uncomfortable. It was a lovely tribute to friendship. Definitely should be on the list. Sophie Smith Nashua Public Library.

A good story; sort of a fairy tale with a happy ending, and painful parts along the way. Students at Dover High haven't shown interest in reading it. Characters are pretty upper echelon in the grand scheme of high school society. Maybeth Anderson Dover High School

If you have read "Boy meets Boy" you might think that this is another romp of a novel that happens to feature a lot of gay teens... but nope. This story is a complex, multi-voiced rollercoaster with a terrific surprise ending. Powerful and character-rich, this is not a story for the reluctant reader, but open-minded advanced adolescents will appreciate this theater-of-the-absurd. Wally Keniston - Oyster River High School Library.

This is a tough book to review. Biases--I'm a huge John Green fan and I think his writing is always top-notch. Just for the writing alone I have to give it 5 stars. It drops to 4 because jumping back and forth with 2 Will Graysons and the topic of acceptance and being gay having just read Jodi Picoult's newest is because, frankly, I'm tired of this style of alternating chapter voices. I do think, however, that this is a Flume worthy book for 'mature' audiences as there are a lot of 'bleeps' in this novel. I would also add that I'm having a tough time getting it to circulate... I agree that it will mostly appeal to advanced readers. Kathy Watson, Kimball Library (Atkinson)

I just finished listening to this book, and while certain aspects of the audio bugged me //(for example, when they're IMing or WG2 is having a conversation, it's written as "Will: 'Blah blah blah.' Teacher: 'Yadda yadda.' Will: 'Meh.'" so the narrator keeps saying the names of who's speaking)//, but the ability to hear the songs from "Tiny Dancer- the Life of Tiny Cooper" actually sung, even if it's just from the narrator with no music, was awesome! I loved the characters- no 2-dimensional folk here- and the weaving of the 2 plots was masterful. If a nomination means more teens will read or listen to this, I think it MUST be on the list! Great fun- and make sure you get the audio!!! -Lucia Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham