Answers in the Pages by David Levithan – Book Review

Title: Answers in the Pages Author: David Levithan Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Release Date: May 10, 2022

When Donovan leaves a novel, The Adventurers, on the kitchen table, his mother checks out this new assigned read by scanning the end. Her interpretation of the ending sets into motion a chain of events that leads to a community meeting pitting those that want to ban the book against those that support its inclusion in the curriculum. Simultaneously, 5^th grader Gideon befriends a new student, Roberto, and their friendship blossoms into a romance. All the while, excerpts from The Adventurers punctuate these two interwoven narratives, tying together characters, themes, conflicts, and larger life lessons that highlight the complexities of identity, family, friendship, and what it means to do the right thing.

Answers in the Pages by David Levithan is a powerful and realistic portrayal of the forces that battle to determine and control the novels and topics that are appropriate for young people to read. Those conflicts have always existed, and Levithan’s work offers an avenue to explore what happens when they unfold. It will provide teachers and young people the opportunity to examine the debate. It aptly exposes the pitfalls of championing a cause based on what is best for “others,” showing that such crusades tend to marginalize whole groups of people in the process. In the case of Answers in the Pages, this means a far-fetched interpretation of a few pages unleashes the town’s misunderstanding about and lack of acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community. Fortunately, like many instances in real life, the young people of this story are the most measured, reasoned, accepting, and hopeful voices.

Answers in the Pages demonstrates, as ever, that young people’s voices should always be included when choices impact them. The perspective is relevant not just now but always. In the present moment, though, it resonates that much more, especially because the book’s themes and critique will likely make a target of book bans. Even so, its story is out there and will stand as timeless for those willing to hear it.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher, Knopf Books for Young Readers, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

• Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a study of self-acceptance and the power of kindness.
• Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading realistic fiction.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

• Identity
• LGBTQIA+ Community
• Book Banning

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Answers in the Pages. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

• The Best At It by Maulik Pancholy (Character Connections, Themes, Nonfiction Connections)
• George by Alex Gino (Character Connections, Themes, Nonfiction Connections)
• The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan (Character Connections, Themes, Nonfiction Connections)

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