Review: Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Openly Straight

By: Bill Konigsberg

Pub. Date: June 1, 2013

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages:  336

Source: Netgalley

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review.

Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write.

And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that's important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time.

So when he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate breaking down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben . . . who doesn't even know that love is possible.

This witty, smart, coming-out-again story will appeal to gay and straight kids alike as they watch Rafe navigate being different, fitting in, and what it means to be himself.

I really loved this book! It was a wonderful combination of fun, laughter, and heart. The writing is so perfect and Rafe was so easily relatable. He's been out since 8th grade and coming out was very easy for him. His parents supported him and everyone at school and in the community accepted it without question. When he leaves his town and goes to an all boys school, he decides that he isn't going to tell anyone he is gay. He is tired of having the label as "gay kid" and just wants to be normal for a change. He ends up meeting a great group of friends, including one openly gay boy.

The characters were the best part of the story, They all were written perfectly. His parents were crazy and I loved every moment of them, his best friend, Claire Olivia and the new boys from school, especially Ben were all amazing. Ben and Rafe have a very interesting relationship, Ben thinks that they are exploring their sexuality together and has no clue that Rafe has already explored this side of himself.

I really just loved everything about this story. I plan on reading everything else that Bill Konigsberg has written. I am a fan for life!