Will Grayson, Will Grayson

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Edgy, clever gay-themed tale about teens with same name.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is the first gay-themed YA novel to wind up on The New York Times best-seller list. It features a gay-friendly school and town and gay characters, including a very out-and-proud character nicknamed Tiny Cooper. Tiny breaks stereotypes by being both overweight and capable of having a love life. Another character, one of the Wills, is taking medication for his depression, a depiction that's handled compassionately. Parental relationships are idealized but heartwarming. While nothing more than kissing happens physically, there's lots of graphic sexual language, and one scene is set in a porn store. The book includes other strong language as well, which might make this book a better fit for older teens.   

 

  • The fact that this book was so popular will certainly give readers something to think and talk about. Parents can also use this book to open up conversations about online friends and dating. See our discussion guide below for more specific conversation ideas on both of these topics.
  • Readers will find positive messages about the importance of friendship and accepting yourself.    
  • Many wonderful characters, including some very supportive, nurturing parents. Readers may also appreciate that Tiny, while overweight, is still shown pursuing a love life. One Will Grayson suffers from depression and is on medication for it, a depiction that's handled compassionately but isn't used as an excuse for his behavior. On the other hand, the main teenage girls are somewhat mean and egocentric, and they don't compare well to the guys. 
  • Not applicable.
  • One of the book's protagonists has an online romance with another teen boy; many references to masturbating and sex, and a humorous scene in an adult video store. Some fantasized IM sex; but in "real life," the characters never progress further than kissing.
  • Pretty much all of them: "s--t," "motherf----r," "bitchsquealer," "goddamn," "tw-t," "p---y," "c--k," "c--ksucker," "f--k," "s--tbag," "piss," "balls," "bastard," "dumbass," "asshole," "hell," "c--t," and more.
  • References to drinking Red Bull and Miller Lite.
  • Will and Tiny drink beer at Tiny's house; they drink shots at a club they get into with fake ID; a few additional references to drinking.

What's the story?

WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON has a fun premise: Two narrators, each named WIll Grayson, tell their stories in alternating chapters. Will Grayson No. 1 is a straight, moody teen who's best friends with a large -- and larger than life -- out-and-proud teen named Tiny Cooper. Will Grayson No. 2 is an even moodier, lonely gay teen who first crosses paths with Will No. 1 in a porn store. From there, both Wills orbit around Planet Tiny. Meanwhile, heartbroken Tiny uses his pain to write, direct, and star in a fabulous high school musical titled Tiny Dancer, which  wows everyone. But he's not the only one who makes a successful journey: Both Wills also find themselves, with a whole lot of help from their friends.


Is it any good?

 

This book offers lots of humor, lots of music, and fantastic over-the-top moments that we all can only wish would happen in real life. Some of the story is related in IMs and texts, which adds realism and energy. This is the first gay-themed book to wind up on The New York Times children's best seller list, and it's easy to see why.

Readers will certainly get caught up in the book's fun premise -- and even find themselves moved by this clever collaboration about coming-of-age in a gay-friendly big city. Tiny Cooper is a great character; his heart of gold -- and his amazing performance -- are truly unforgettable. Plus, who doesn't love a happy ending? Even if it's not exactly believable...


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the book's portrayals of gay characters. How do character depictions like those in Will Grayson, Will Grayson impact teen readers -- both gay and straight?

  • What do you think is the significance of the fact that this was the first gay-themed YA novel to wind up on The New York Times best-seller list?

  • The second Will is misled by his online love interest. He was convinced it was for real. How can you make sure someone you meet online is who you think they are?


This review was written by Debra Bogart
Educator
February 5, 2011
 
Know your audience librarians
I listened to the audio and found it confusing at times. It wasn't always clear who was talking. I believe the premise is great for conversations in a book club setting and for reading on one's own. Much seemed like typical teen trials and tribulations. There words that I really didn't want to hear in an audio, but in print I would have jumped over them.

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Adult
December 21, 2010
 
Excellent choice
Yet another excellent story by the superb author, John Green. This was the first one I read by this author and, while this isn't my favorite by him, (thought the ending wrapped up a little too neatly too fast) it was still a quite excellent read. I love this guy.

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Parent
November 30, 2010
 
iffy
Its a little disturbing

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Teen, 17 years old
August 27, 2010
 
14 +
An AMAZING book. Green and Levithan write beautifully with alternating chapters of two boys with the name "Will Grayson". It touches on things that teens actually go through, and addresses a lot of current issues, such as being fat, gay, in an internet relationship, and so much more. There is swearing, but nothing out of the ordinary your teen probably isn't hearing at school. Pretty much nothing your 14+ year old child shouldn't already know about. I recommend that you buy this for your teen!

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Teen, 15 years old
June 23, 2011
 
Good for 15.
It's a really good book. It has a lot of teen humor in it. But it was any interesting book, and not the average romance.

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Adult
October 25, 2010
 

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Teen, 16 years old
September 4, 2010
 
Not My Favorite
This wasn't my favorite by John Green, mainly because I didn't like David Levithan's Will Grayson. I found it kind of dull. The language was a bit much for me I would like to say that I find it HILARIOUS that parents recommend this book over "The Clique".

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Teen, 16 years old
January 18, 2012
 
Clever; not my favorite, but still entertaining
I still admittedly enjoyed and loved this book, mostly because I love the voice of Will Grayson (this is the one written by John Green, will grayson, the second one who doesn't capitalize his name, is written by David Levithan), however, both Will Grayson and will grayson were relatable characters (because really, who doesn't feel moody in high school?). Will Grayson's friend Tiny was enjoyable as well, if simply for the fact that he wasn't made perfect, but was still sympathetic. Even though this story has two gay teens in it, sexual descriptions are not explicit in the slightest. However, like a lot of John Green stories, it had a lot of language in it, however, most kids will already know these words. I mention consumerism only for a couple of product mentions and a few band names like Neutral Milk Hotel. Yes, there is a little bit of drinking, but it's not taken to the extreme. The happy ending may be slightly predictable, but everyone once in a while, it's nice to have a happy ending. (I believe the authors made up for it by portraying Tiny's anxiety before the play convincingly; as an actress, I'd know.) Another great book for Green to add to his resume, and I may check out some of Levithan's work.

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This review was written by Debra Bogart
Authors:David Levithan, John Green
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Coming of Age
Publisher:Dutton Children's Books
Publication date:April 6, 2010
Number of pages:304
Hardcover price:$17.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):14 - 17

This review was written by Debra Bogart
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
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