Love Is the Higher Law (by David Levithan)
common sense media says
NYC teens react to 9/11 tragedy in beautiful story of hope.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the main story is how three teens experience the terrorist attack on New York City, and the tremendous impact it had immediately on their lives. A budding gay romance between two of the characters is prominent, but secondary to the book's plot point about 9/11's aftermath and how New Yorkers pulled together. There is some strong language and drinking.
Educational value:
Readers too young to remember the attack will get a good history lesson about what happened -- including what it felt like to be a New York teen at the time. Parents and teachers can use our "Families Can Talk About" section to get some additional discussion ideas.
Positive role models:
Two of the three main characters immediately want to help; they go to donate blood and look for ways to deal with the emotional impact. The third character is slower to deal with the tragedy but ultimately allows it to have a positive effect on his life and his relationships with other people. As we remember but teen readers won't, New Yorkers themselves set exemplary examples on the day of the attack and afterwards.
Violence:
Descriptions of watching the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center fall and burn.
Sex:
A discussion about gay men having sex without condoms. The two main male characters go on a date and make out.
Language:
A few uses of "f--k" and "s--t."
Consumerism:
Evocative use of songs, song lyrics, and descriptions of real concerts by groups like U2 that took place afterwards in NYC.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
The two male characters drink beer together; one of them is hungover the morning of 9/11.
More on Love Is the Higher Law
Review It
There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already read it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
