📖 Overview
David Levithan is an American young adult fiction author and editor known for pioneering LGBTQ+ representation in teen literature. Since beginning his career in 2003, he has published numerous critically acclaimed novels that explore themes of love, identity, and relationships. He concurrently works as a publisher and editorial director at Scholastic.
His breakout novel "Boy Meets Boy" (2003) established him as a leading voice in LGBTQ+ young adult literature. Other notable works include "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" (co-authored with Rachel Cohn), "Every Day," and "Two Boys Kissing," which have earned him multiple Lambda Literary Award nominations and wins.
Levithan's writing often experiments with narrative structure and perspective, as demonstrated in works like "The Lover's Dictionary" and "Every You, Every Me." His collaborative works with other authors, including John Green and Andrea Cremer, have further expanded his influence in contemporary young adult literature.
Born in Short Hills, New Jersey in 1972, Levithan graduated from Brown University with a double major in English and Political Science. He began his career at Scholastic as an intern at age 19 and has remained with the company while building his writing career.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Levithan's authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ teen experiences and relationships. His writing style resonates with young readers who connect with the emotional depth and realistic dialogue. Many note his ability to blend everyday teenage struggles with larger themes of identity and acceptance.
Frequent praise focuses on books like "Every Day" for its unique premise and "Two Boys Kissing" for its representation. Readers often mention his collaborations with Rachel Cohn ("Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist") as capturing authentic teen voices.
Common criticisms include repetitive themes across books, characters that can feel too similar, and writing that sometimes prioritizes message over story. Some readers find his narrative styles experimental to a fault, particularly in books with multiple perspectives.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: Average 3.9/5 across all works
"Every Day": 3.9/5 (389,000+ ratings)
"Boy Meets Boy": 3.8/5 (46,000+ ratings)
Amazon: Most books maintain 4+ stars
"Two Boys Kissing": 4.5/5 (300+ reviews)
📚 Books by David Levithan
Another Day - A companion novel to Every Day told from the perspective of Rhiannon, exploring her experience of falling in love with A, who wakes up in a different body each morning.
Boy Meets Boy - Set in a utopian high school where being gay is fully accepted, this story follows Paul as he navigates romance and friendship after meeting Noah.
Every Day - A explores the complexities of identity and love while waking up each morning in a different person's body and falling for Rhiannon.
Every You, Every Me - Written in collaboration with photographer Jonathan Farmer, this psychological thriller follows Evan's mysterious relationship with Ariel through photographs and text.
The Lover's Dictionary - A love story told through dictionary entries, each representing different moments and emotions in a relationship.
The Realm of Possibility - A novel in verse featuring twenty distinct voices from the same high school, each sharing their interconnected stories.
The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily - Dash and Lily navigate their relationship during the holiday season in New York City as Lily struggles with family changes.
Two Boys Kissing - Based on true events, this novel follows several teen boys' stories, narrated by a Greek chorus of men who died of AIDS.
Boy Meets Boy - Set in a utopian high school where being gay is fully accepted, this story follows Paul as he navigates romance and friendship after meeting Noah.
Every Day - A explores the complexities of identity and love while waking up each morning in a different person's body and falling for Rhiannon.
Every You, Every Me - Written in collaboration with photographer Jonathan Farmer, this psychological thriller follows Evan's mysterious relationship with Ariel through photographs and text.
The Lover's Dictionary - A love story told through dictionary entries, each representing different moments and emotions in a relationship.
The Realm of Possibility - A novel in verse featuring twenty distinct voices from the same high school, each sharing their interconnected stories.
The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily - Dash and Lily navigate their relationship during the holiday season in New York City as Lily struggles with family changes.
Two Boys Kissing - Based on true events, this novel follows several teen boys' stories, narrated by a Greek chorus of men who died of AIDS.
👥 Similar authors
John Green writes contemporary young adult novels that deal with complex emotional relationships and coming-of-age experiences. His books feature similar intellectual dialogue and exploration of teen identity that Levithan's readers appreciate.
Nina LaCour focuses on LGBTQ+ young adult stories with careful attention to character development and emotional depth. She writes about love and self-discovery in a way that captures the same authentic teen experiences found in Levithan's work.
Benjamin Alire Sáenz creates stories centered on young gay characters discovering their identity and navigating relationships. His writing style emphasizes emotional intimacy and character connections similar to Levithan's approach.
Rachel Cohn explores teen relationships and identity through multiple perspectives and experimental narrative structures. Her solo work maintains the same focus on authentic teen voices that appears in her collaborations with Levithan.
Adam Silvera writes LGBTQ+ young adult fiction that combines contemporary settings with elements of magical realism. His books deal with similar themes of love, loss, and identity that characterize Levithan's work.
Nina LaCour focuses on LGBTQ+ young adult stories with careful attention to character development and emotional depth. She writes about love and self-discovery in a way that captures the same authentic teen experiences found in Levithan's work.
Benjamin Alire Sáenz creates stories centered on young gay characters discovering their identity and navigating relationships. His writing style emphasizes emotional intimacy and character connections similar to Levithan's approach.
Rachel Cohn explores teen relationships and identity through multiple perspectives and experimental narrative structures. Her solo work maintains the same focus on authentic teen voices that appears in her collaborations with Levithan.
Adam Silvera writes LGBTQ+ young adult fiction that combines contemporary settings with elements of magical realism. His books deal with similar themes of love, loss, and identity that characterize Levithan's work.