David Inside Out by Lee Bantle

July 13, 2009

David Dahlgren, a high-school senior, finds solace in running with the track team; he’s a fast runner, and he enjoys the camaraderie. But team events become a source of tension when he develops a crush on one of his teammates, Sean. Scared to admit his feelings, David does everything he can to suppress them: he dates a girl, keeps his distance from his best friend who has become openly gay, and snaps a rubber band on his wrist every time he has “inappropriate” urges. Before long, Sean expresses the thoughts David has been trying to hide, and everything changes for the better. Or so it seems.

I thoroughly enjoyed this open and honest depiction of a gay adolescent boy's quest of self-discovery. Based in part on author Lee Bantle's own experiences, David Inside Out depicts the inner struggles of a boy who desperately wants to have "appropriate" desires for girls when all he can think about is other boys.

Without being overly sentimental, the author expertly emotes the feelings of fear and loneliness that David feels as he weighs the pros and cons of telling anyone that he is gay. David is a truly likable and realistic main character, that at face value could represent your "average" high school kid. I think this is especially important because it dismisses the feminine, un-athletic stereotype that many kids (and adults) associate with being gay.

With its easy prose, believable dialogue and well developed characters this book is a true joy to read. Kids will easily connect to this story of self-discovery and the promise of first love.

Sexual situations make this book appropriate for grade nine and up.

Score: 4 points