I have already been recommending this book to workers of the Proud trust as I know this is a book they will be wanting to look out for in the future when published. I love that this gives the reader the independence to actually fill in the words correctly of how a teenage boy would usually talk – this is so important to me as it help to create a realistic approach to the story that young people can really relate to. Some words are blacked out which normally would make this book inappropriate for young adults and difficult for school libraries especially to be able to provide for young people, but, the fact the censored words are blacked out leaves a hidden a story for the reader to fill in themselves. Accompanied with stunning illustrations by Tea Bendix which help to bring this story to life even more just makes this book perfect for young adults of today. Different for Boys is an extraordinary, gripping and complex story exploring themes that is going to support and educate a lot of our young people today.Īnt Stevenson has many questions, like when did he stop being a virgin? Are there degrees of virginity? And is it different for boys? Especially for boys who like boys? Ant tries to figure out the answers to his questions as he balances his relationships with three very different boys: Charlie, who is both virulently homophobic and yet close friends with Ant Jack, whose camp behaviour makes him the target of Charlie’s rage and finally, Freddie, who just wants Ant to try out for the rugby team.ĭifferent for Boys was first published in the anthology Losing It back in 2010 but award-winning author Patrick Ness has updated it. Well what a story this is covering themes of LGBTQ+, sexuality and masculinity with some humour throughout. But he is determined to figure it out, all while balancing his ever-changing friendships at school with three very different boys.

Friendship, masculinity, sex – is it different for boys who like boys?Īnt Stevenson has a lot of questions but doesn’t know where to even begin to look for answers.

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