Answers in the Pages

When fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Howe, assigned The Adventurers as their next class read, his students were looking forward to an adventure story about two boys trying to save the world. When Donovan’s mom reads his book before he gets the chance, she finds fault in a sentence, just one sentence, all the way at the back at the book, that hints at a gay relationship. She shares her concerns with the school, whose administration removes the book while they conduct an investigation. Donovan just wants to read the book so borrows a copy from the library, but he can’t see what the fuss is about. It’s a good story! Alternating with Donovan’s story is Gideon’s story, during which a class project places him with the new student, Roberto, which leads to a new friendship that may be something more.

The release of this title coincides with many book bannings across the country for books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters. The alternating chapters (Donovan, then Gideon, then a chapter from The Adventurers) ignite a story that questions the importance of a person’s sexuality and gives voice to the young who just see a great book and characters who really care about each other. Timely, inspiring, perfect.