Posted on February 1, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Hi, Elizabeth. I’m so glad someone is with me in the criticism of David Levithan. I always feel like such a bitch when I critique his novels; however, I don’t think that he should be excused for juvenile writing just because he writes about GLBTQ stuff.
I see where you’re coming from with Julie Ann Peters. I think that “Keeping you a Secret” was not one of her most successful novels. You should give her another try, though. I think her work is maturing.
Posted on February 2, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Thanks, that’s good to know. I will give her another try. Among other reasons, because I really and truly love a good teen romance, but I’m *picky* about them, so it’s worth the effort to find someone I’ll enjoy.
This is why I keep reading John Green even though his books have only partially worked for me yet; I see *potential* there for him to become an author that I love, even if right now I often *like* other people’s books more.
Posted on February 1, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Oh my god. I’m so with you on both David Levithan’s writing style (I *really wanted* to like Boy Meets Boy, and yet…), but even more so, on Julie Anne Peters. I’ve only read Keeping You a Secret, but it is just not successful fiction in my opinion. I bought it highly recommended by people I trust, and I just… don’t get it.
Honestly, it felt to me like it was published and recommended only because of the relative dearth of LGBT teen books, and while expanding that canon is something I strongly support (and frankly, even by unsuccessful literature if it means teens can access *something*), I feel we can do better.