"Answers in the Pages" by David Levithan is a thought-provoking exploration of identity, love, and the power of stories. Through the lens of a middle school book assignment, Levithan tackles complex themes such as censorship and acceptance, encouraging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values. The narrative is both engaging and heartfelt, with well-developed characters . Levithan’s unique style and insightful commentary make this a compelling read for young adults and anyone interested in the importance of understanding diverse perspectives. This book is a reminder of the profound impact literature can have on our lives.

This book offers great insight and commentary on the issue of censorship in schools and libraries. It was not a book I particularly enjoyed. Alternating chapters between three plots and times, each with different characters, confused me and left me wondering how one of the three even fit into the book. Thankfully, the author resolves the questions deftly near the conclusion. But the ongoing disconnect through most of the novel kept me from the complete engagement I want in a book. But at the same time I appreciated the thoughtful commentary on books, sexuality, the freedom to read, and more. Worth the read!

Donovan got his hands on the book everyone was reading and talking about. After reading it, he leaves it on the kitchen counter and his mother not only decides it is inappropriate due to two characters identifying as gay and begins a crusade to have the book removed from school. Donovan is horrified, because he sees the book for what it is - an adventure story where the two characters happen to be gay. Donovan is more concerned with the outcome of the adventure rather than the orientation of the characters and has a hard time understanding why this book is designated as "bad."

Great LGBTQ+ addition for collections, also deals with censorship and the ramifications of removing books from all kids based on one parent's decision. There are three stories woven into one, and gets a little confusing at times, but the perspectives from different characters has a huge impact and highlights what is really happening in many states around our nation.

I love the way this book weaves three different stories together. This story reminds us how important books are and what book bans take away from kids. It also reminds us that kids are confused by book bans. They think parents believe books are bad and wonder if the kid likes the book, does that make them bad too? This book is a quick read and would be great to read with a class

David Levithan takes on book bans and the tension that lies between parents who question books and their kids who need to read them.

Answers in the Pages is a gentle and warm book perfect for stirring discussion about book challenges and banning with middle school level readers.

I was disappointed to read about the boys hiding their physical contact from the mother and that a middle grade book would include physical intimacy. A crush is one thing, but kissing is quite different. Add to that, hiding it from adults, I don't endorse this early sexualization for straight kids or queer kids.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A phenomenal example of what positive censorship and LGBTQIA+ representation needs to be in middle grade fiction. Levithan uses real-world events (or one based on...it was spot on) to highlight how censorship and removing books prematurely from children's hands can be harmful. It also shows a positive movement of the students taking charge of their own education.
The side-by-side stories of past and present work seamlessly until the very end when the identity of certain individuals is revealed (only to the reader). I also appreciated the character of Donovan's mother. She may be the one who initiated the book challenge, and she stands firm in her beliefs through the end. However, with the help of her son, she takes the time (as parents should) to slow down and look at the issue from his point of view. She does her homework, so to speak, and ultimately acts on new ideals.

I love this author, and am happy that he wrote a middle school book on such a timely topic. I'm looking forward to getting the book to add to my collection.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Knopf Books for Young Readers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Where do I even begin with this review???

This is the first book by David Levithan that I have ever read and it made me want to go back and read all of his earlier books. This book was absolutely amazing! Once I started this book I could not put it down!!

I absolutely loved how the book went back and forth between a few different POV's and I also loved that we got to read certain chapters from the book that was being discussed in this novel as well. Also, I knew that somehow the POV's were going to connect at the end and let me just tell you the way that they connected was one of the best reveals that I think I have ever read. (I did see it coming a little, but that did not take away any enjoyment for me and I absolutely loved it!)

This book is especially important to read in today's society because of all the book bans that are unfortunately occurring in the US. A lot of people are targeting LGBTQIA+ books like some of the characters do in this book. I think that it is important for children and actually people of all ages to read books likes this one!

I hope that anyone else who reads this book enjoys it as much as I did!!!

"Answers in the Pages" by David Levithan is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel that explores the power of literature to shape our lives and the ways in which we connect with others through stories. This young adult novel is a must-read for book lovers and anyone who has ever felt a deep connection to a particular work of literature.

A perfectly timed book about why we need to read banned books and push back on WHY this is happening 👊🏻📚

This totally did not feel like a middle grade novel! Although it was a super quick read, Levithan is able to engage any age of readers in new ways. I loved how there were 3 intertwined stories, especially clever how one story was the book that is getting banned in another timeline.

I will definitely be recommending this book to the high schoolers I teach, and close middle grade teachers. Representation matters and LGBTQ+ and diverse storytelling should NEVER be banned. This novel did a fantastic job at portraying a hard issue happening today for young minds to understand clearly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-book ARC🐢💛

I wish this story about book banning didn’t feel so incredibly timely, but here we are. It seems that every day we move a little closer to a dystopian reality, and this book is where it starts. But one thing I loved about Answers in the Pages is the compassion it shows for the mom in the story. Donovan’s mom is on a crusade to “protect” her son from what she sees as a topic that’s too mature for him, not realizing she’s trying to shield him from his own identity. And even though Donovan disagrees with her stance and a lot of people are mad at her for trying to get the book banned, she’s never portrayed as a villain, but as a misguided parent who thinks she’s doing the right thing for her kid. I’m certain this nuanced approach can open doors to conversation instead of slamming them shut. Donovan’s story is one of self-discovery, but his mom also needs to make a few discoveries along the way as well. And as bleak as the topic of book banning is, this story ultimately gives us a glimpse of hope.

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

In this current climate of a laser focus on materials in school libraries, this book is quite timely. It reinforces the idea that taking a passage out of context does not reflect the work as a whole.

The publication of this book could not be more timely. Donovan, a 5th grader in Mr. Howes class, leaves an assigned novel, 'The Adventurers,” in the kitchen. After his mom finds and reads one sentence, she assumes it implies a gay exchange between two characters, Oliver and Rick, and immediately starts a campaign to ban the book. Various excerpts from “The Adventurers” provide Oliver and Rick's story. Meanwhile 5th graders, Gideon and Roberto find common ground as friends, which develops into something more. Come to find out, Mr. Howe is gay, as is one of the 5th grade students. The conversations between the students are revealing--they really were more interested in the action in “The Adventurers”, and not particularly concerned with the sexual orientation of anyone, in their class or in the book. I would recommend this title to adults and kids.
Thank you to Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the digital arc.

I just really love David Levithan. The way he writes really gets under your skin and makes you feel alongside the characters, and this was no exception. An excellent addition to any library or collection.

Answers in the Pages was an excellent book that kept me thinking long after I finished it. I loved the conflict the main character faced. I hope to read more by this author.

Answers in the Pages is a timely and thoughtful look at the book banning fad in America today. David Levithan has written a middle grade book from the perspective of a child whose mother challenges a book. He makes the issues incredibly simple, easy to understand, and heartfelt.

In this short and sweet book, a few stories are told that interconnect to the main theme of why books get challenged by parents. The first perspective is Donovan, who unwittingly leaves his latest class novel on the counter only for his mother to read a sentence and start a campaign against it. Then there are the chapters from the offending book, The Adventurers, that feature two male leads getting into all kinds of shenanigans. And then there is the story of Gideon and Roberto, who get paired up together for a class project and find themselves drawn together.

This is a beautiful book about identity, literature. and standing up for what is right-- even if you are only in 5th grade.

This story focuses on the notion of parents over-thinking what their children and how it often leads to over-reaction. In this story, Donovan's class has been assigned a book and his mother happens to look at it when he left it on the kitchen counter. He hadn't even been past the first chapter, but his mother flipped to the end, read something out of context, and freaked out. Donovan sees the book as "just an adventure novel about two characters trying to stop an evil genius," but his mom is convinced the main characters are gay and that the book needs to be banned. As the synopsis of the book says, "Donovan doesn't really know if the two boys fall in love at the end or not—but he does know this: even if they do, it shouldn't matter. The book should not be banned from school. Interweaving three connected storylines, David Levithan delivers a bold, fun, and timely story about taking action (whether it's against book censors or deadly alligators...), being brave, and standing up for what's right." Takes the fictional notion of book challenges a step farther by actually addressing the gay elephant in the room. I think his notion of how the kids respond to the novel is pretty accurate. Check this one out!