You Know Me Well

LaCour and Levithan's compelling if occasionally implausible story focuses on the beautiful relationship between two gay teens who are in the right place on a night they each need a friend. Both authors are gay, and it's the first time Levithan has partnered with a writer for a book where both protagonists are gay. Kate and Mark's instant connection might seem unlikely to some readers, but it makes perfect sense given their individual journeys that they would discover a kindred spirit in the other. Both are desperate for love but unsure if they've found a true version of it: Mark can't see beyond his complicated secretly physical relationship with BFF Ryan, and Kate worries the "real" Violet won't live up to her idealized vision of her.

Since visual artist Kate and baseball player Mark's adventures are set against the backdrop of San Francisco Pride, the book is particularly appropriate for readers looking for strong LGBTQ themes and characters. But the story is universal, too -- the main characters might already know they're gay, but there's still plenty up in the air. They're still dealing with romantic insecurities, confusion over their futures, and issues with their other friends (most of whom are also gay, since particularly in Kate's case, coming out in eighth grade meant becoming a beacon to the other queer kids). Two secondary characters seem a bit too perfect (Violet is nearly unbelievably sophisticated, and Ryan's new suitor is ridiculously perfect, with his trifecta of looks, smarts, and humanitarianism), but otherwise this is a touching and relevant tale about friendship and love.