I was disappointed to read about the boys hiding their physical contact from the mother  and that a middle grade book would include physical intimacy. A crush is one thing, but kissing is quite different. Add to that,  hiding it from adults, I don't endorse this early sexualization for straight kids or queer kids.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A phenomenal example of what positive censorship and LGBTQIA+ representation needs to be in middle grade fiction.  Levithan uses real-world events (or one based on...it was spot on) to highlight how censorship and removing books prematurely from children's hands can be harmful.  It also shows a positive movement of the students taking charge of their own education.  
The side-by-side stories of past and present work seamlessly until the very end when the identity of certain individuals is revealed (only to the reader).  I also appreciated the character of Donovan's mother.  She may be the one who initiated the book challenge, and she stands firm in her beliefs through the end.  However, with the help of her son, she takes the time (as parents should) to slow down and look at the issue from his point of view.  She does her homework, so to speak, and ultimately acts on new ideals.

I love this author, and am happy that he wrote a middle school book on such a timely topic. I'm looking forward to getting the book to add to my collection.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Knopf Books for Young Readers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Where do I even begin with this review???

This is the first book by David Levithan that I have ever read and it made me want to go back and read all of his earlier books. This book was absolutely amazing! Once I started this book I could not put it down!! 

I absolutely loved how the book went back and forth between a few different POV's and I also loved that we got to read certain chapters from the book that was being discussed in this novel as well. Also, I knew that somehow the POV's were going to connect at the end and let me just tell you the way that they connected was one of the best reveals that I think I have ever read. (I did see it coming a little, but that did not take away any enjoyment for me and I absolutely loved it!)

This book is especially important to read in today's society because of all the book bans that are unfortunately occurring in the US. A lot of people are targeting LGBTQIA+ books like some of the characters do in this book. I think that it is important for children and actually people of all ages to read books likes this one! 

I hope that anyone else who reads this book enjoys it as much as I did!!!

"Answers in the Pages" by David Levithan is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel that explores the power of literature to shape our lives and the ways in which we connect with others through stories. This young adult novel is a must-read for book lovers and anyone who has ever felt a deep connection to a particular work of literature.

A perfectly timed book about why we need to read banned books and push back on WHY this is happening 👊🏻📚

This totally did not feel like a middle grade novel! Although it was a super quick read, Levithan is able to engage any age of readers in new ways. I loved how there were 3 intertwined stories, especially clever how one story was the book that is getting banned in another timeline. 

I will definitely be recommending this book to the high schoolers I teach, and close middle grade teachers. Representation matters and LGBTQ+ and diverse storytelling should NEVER be banned. This novel did a fantastic job at portraying a hard issue happening today for young minds to understand clearly. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-book ARC🐢💛

I wish this story about book banning didn’t feel so incredibly timely, but here we are. It seems that every day we move a little closer to a dystopian reality, and this book is where it starts. But one thing I loved about Answers in the Pages is the compassion it shows for the mom in the story. Donovan’s mom is on a crusade to “protect” her son from what she sees as a topic that’s too mature for him, not realizing she’s trying to shield him from his own identity. And even though Donovan disagrees with her stance and a lot of people are mad at her for trying to get the book banned, she’s never portrayed as a villain, but as a misguided parent who thinks she’s doing the right thing for her kid. I’m certain this nuanced approach can open doors to conversation instead of slamming them shut. Donovan’s story is one of self-discovery, but his mom also needs to make a few discoveries along the way as well. And as bleak as the topic of book banning is, this story ultimately gives us a glimpse of hope.

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

In  this current climate of a laser focus on materials in school libraries, this book is quite timely.  It reinforces the idea that taking a passage out of context does not reflect the work as a whole.

The publication of this book could not be more timely. Donovan, a 5th grader in Mr. Howes class, leaves an assigned novel, 'The Adventurers,” in the kitchen. After his mom finds and reads one sentence, she assumes it implies a gay exchange between two characters, Oliver and Rick, and immediately starts a campaign to ban the book.  Various excerpts from “The Adventurers”  provide Oliver and Rick's story.  Meanwhile 5th graders, Gideon and Roberto find common ground as friends, which develops into something more. Come to find out, Mr. Howe is gay, as is one of the 5th grade students. The  conversations between the students are revealing--they really were more interested in the action in “The Adventurers”, and  not particularly concerned with the sexual orientation of anyone, in their class or in the book. I would recommend this title to adults and kids. 
Thank you to Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the digital arc.

I just really love David Levithan. The way he writes really gets under your skin and makes you feel alongside the characters, and this was no exception. An excellent addition to any library or collection.

Answers in the Pages was an excellent book that kept me thinking long after I finished it. I loved the conflict the main character faced. I hope to read more by this author.

Answers in the Pages is a timely and thoughtful look at the book banning fad in America today. David Levithan has written a middle grade book from the perspective of a child whose mother challenges a book. He makes the issues incredibly simple, easy to understand, and heartfelt.

In this short and sweet book, a few stories are told that interconnect to the main theme of why books get challenged by parents. The first perspective is Donovan, who unwittingly leaves his latest class novel on the counter only for his mother to read a sentence and start a campaign against it. Then there are the chapters from the offending book, The Adventurers, that feature two male leads getting into all kinds of shenanigans. And then there is the story of Gideon and Roberto, who get paired up together for a class project and find themselves drawn together. 

This is a beautiful book about identity, literature. and standing up for what is right-- even if you are only in 5th grade.

This story focuses on the notion of parents over-thinking what their children and how it often leads to over-reaction. In this story, Donovan's class has been assigned a book and his mother happens to look at it when he left it on the kitchen counter. He hadn't even been past the first chapter, but his mother flipped to the end, read something out of context, and freaked out. Donovan sees the book as "just an adventure novel about two characters trying to stop an evil genius," but his mom is convinced the main characters are gay and that the book needs to be banned. As the synopsis of the book says, "Donovan doesn't really know if the two boys fall in love at the end or not—but he does know this: even if they do, it shouldn't matter. The book should not be banned from school. Interweaving three connected storylines, David Levithan delivers a bold, fun, and timely story about taking action (whether it's against book censors or deadly alligators...), being brave, and standing up for what's right." Takes the fictional notion of book challenges a step farther by actually addressing the gay elephant in the room. I think his notion of how the kids respond to the novel is pretty accurate. Check this one out!

A middle grade book about parents wanting to ban a book in their 5th graders English class because the 2 boys in the book may be in love.  But they may just be friends.  And a book challenge ensues.

The conversations amongst the kids in the class are the best.  They, like IRL 5th graders, know so much more than grownups want to acknowledge.  Humans are who they are, you can't make or unmake anybody gay.  And by banning such books you say it's not ok to the gay students, teachers, parents to be who they are.  Kudos for telling an important story.

Oh and it's by David Levithan so read it!

I LOVED this book. I loved how it blended three different stories together. I loved the amount of representation. And I especially loved the messages found in the book. Censorship and book banning have always been a thing, but it is especially prevalent right now. I think this book and this author did a great job of explaining the issues and dangers of censorship and banning. The characters themselves got me right in the feels. My librarian heart was bursting with joy for this book. Highly recommend to anyone and everyone.

Gentle, heartwarming, and beautiful!  Characters and language come together perfectly to create perfect backdrop for the battle for intellectual freedom in middle schools.  The somewhat surprising finish feels like a giant hug.

Censorship is hot right now and this book is a good stepping off point for early adolescents.  Will it be challenged... more then likely so.  Is it worth reading? Absolutely yes.  Will kids want to read it because of the potential ban? Again, absolutely yes!  The question of how parents should behave is central in the is book, but the underlying questions the kids have keep the readers interested.

Oh how I love this book! It has three different storylines, and they all come together throughout the novel. This is a timely with all of the current movements to ban books. I appreciate that Levithan has used a delicate manner in addressing issues in the book: particularly between parent and child when they disagree. This is a wonderful addition to our school library collection.

A fantastic, current middle-grade book about the banning of books in public schools. Uncannily reminiscent of recent headlines, yet handled with class and grace. An adventure novel that is taught to fifth graders contains the main conflict. A mother reads the book's final phrase, in which a boy professes his "love" for another boy. The town becomes enraged over what is "acceptable" to teach youngsters as she views the characters as gay.

Levithan clearly opposes book bans, especially when they are prompted by the slightest mention of a potentially gay character, but he also portrays the angry mother as kind, if wrong. I believe it's critical that he supports the procedures in place for handling difficult course material. Yes, challenges can occasionally be absurd and even driven by racism or homophobia, but not always. There have been occasions where students were taught in the classroom how Trump won the 2020 election, for instance. It won't be long before a teacher makes Mike Lindell's political ideas obligatory reading. There is no question that parents have the right to express concerns, and those issues should be addressed just as they are in this book. After both parties had an opportunity to speak, and after a school committee was given the final word. 

Some key takeaways from this book include: Even when your parents behave irrationally, remember that their actions are motivated by a sincere love and concern for your welfare. Your ability to make independent decisions is crucial because sometimes your parents will be wrong. Speaking openly about significant issues is preferable to censorship. It serves as a helpful reminder to parents that their kids may have a much greater awareness of the world than they do. Speak with them. Don't let your personal baggage impede the advancement of the current generation, either.

This book is great for adults and young readers alike because there is so much to learn from it. It is challenging to think of a more sincere and objective analysis of this subject. Even better, there isn't any political squabbling fueled by an election year. With David Levithan, you can never go wrong, and this is right up there with his finest work.