Young Adult Book Reading Challenges discussion

Now that you've finished with the book, what did you think?

What did you like? What didn't you like? What would you like to have seen more of?

There are a lot of aspects about the other characters and A's capabilities that could have been explained in more detail. And although it was not necessary to the plot or A's character (which may very well be why Levithan choose not to explore it further), it would have been interesting to learn more about Reverend Poole and who/what he was and what abilities he may have had.

I agree. I absolutely adore Levithan and was very intrigued by the premise of this book, but while I enjoyed it it seemed also very superficial at times. The internal struggles of "A", his moral dilemmas and even Rhiannons conflicting emotions could have used some elaboration. I also feelt that this book might have worked even better as a book for adults - this way Levithan could have explored a lot of scenarios further. I did enjoy the writing style and the last few chapters in particular. The way A is preparing Rhiannon for meeting Alexander and making her fall in love with him is nothing short of beautiful and I enjoyed it a lot!

Clary wrote: "The internal struggles of "A", his moral dilemmas and even Rhiannons conflicting emotions could have used some elaboration. I also feelt that this book might have worked even better as a book for adults - this way Levithan could have explored a lot of scenarios further."

Yes! There was a lack of any kind of back story for any of the characters, which was particularly disappointing. We might have been able to learn more about why Rhiannon trusts both A and Justin, for example.

I agree. I think the Reverend's abilities should have been explored more, but I didn't get what A meant by he was going to run at the end? How would that change anything?

Jannatul wrote: "I agree. I think the Reverend's abilities should have been explored more, but I didn't get what A meant by he was going to run at the end? How would that change anything?"

When A mentions running for the first time, A also says that the body of today's person is going to be going far away and that this will be the start of something new for A. So, I took the statement that A is going to run to mean that A is taking charge and making a choice for A's own self for the first time, instead of being static and simply living the body's life and living the way that person would.

I felt as though the book became so intriguing in the last chapters then the novel ended abruptly with no true closure, or I guess I just expected more of a change or purpose to the book. In the end A doesn't do anything about his situation. I felt this could have gone in many directions with him either choosing a life with Rhiannon, staying in contact with Nathan or doing something with the information he received about the Reverand. But in the end A chose to remain himself and do what he had always been doing. The boom was great I thought, had me captivated the entire time. I was frustrated by the ending though. I wish there had been an epilogue

I took his running to mean leaving the vicinity of the Reverend. He mentioned that he always changed bodies to those around his age around him, and if he were with Rhiannon in NY, there wouldn't be an issue of his ending up very far from her the following day, due to NY high population.
His running with his current body would put distance between himself and the Reverend. We don't really know what was in the letter, or the Reverend's abilities. I simply took it as getting a safe distance away, and giving Rhiannon space to start forming a new relationship. A could examine who he is and where A is going and what to do.

Kaleigh wrote: "I felt as though the book became so intriguing in the last chapters then the novel ended abruptly with no true closure, or I guess I just expected more of a change or purpose to the book. In the en..."

I agree,the ending was very unsatisfactory. It felt like after finally finding his footing and being captivating, Levithan abruptly stopped writing and left us hanging. I kept hoping for a sequel but I don't think that's ever going to happen..

I also agree with Deborah, I understood it the same way. But still, A just kept running without any clue whatsoever about his abilities, his future or his desires. He just left and he won't ever be able to return. Nor will he be able to search for answers or build a life of his own since he is unable to stay in one body for more than a day..

Jannatul wrote: "... but I didn't get what A meant by he was going to run at the end? How would that change anything?"

I understood it to mean that he was trying to get far enough away from Rhiannon that he would never be able to get back to her. Maybe he'll take the next trip to Hawaii that's offered to him.

Clary wrote: "Kaleigh wrote: "I felt as though the book became so intriguing in the last chapters then the novel ended abruptly with no true closure, or I guess I just expected more of a change or purpose to the..."


A would've been able to find out if he could stay in one body for more than a day and see if he could have a life with Rhiannon if only he had tried to find out what the Reverand was talking about. It's frustrating that they would even bring the Reverand into the book if A was going to shut down the possibility of even trying to learn anything from him. It's not like he hasn't been given the opportunity to see if he can remain in one body, the Reverand gave him an idea that it might be possible and A could've explored that more and searched for more people like him. Although, running to a new place is a change and he is taking charge of his life and changing things himself for the first time

Kaleigh wrote: "...It's frustrating that they would even bring the Reverand into the book if A was going to shut down the possibility of even trying to learn anything from him. "

A faces a moral dilemna and chooses to remain true to himself. By running away he shows he has the integrity to resist the temptation presented by the entity who has taken over Reverend Poole's life. He sees the haunted look in Poole's eyes and decides that it would be wrong to even attempt to try to remain in someone's body for more than a day.

I too think the book may have been better if it was written for adults. The real reason for this is that Rhiannon and A could have made it work if they were adults. Moving to New York and creating a life would have been feasible.

I also really wish there was more background to the story. I realize the purpose of the story was to show how different people live out their lives and how love can overcome the physical, but it would have been really nice to have the body jumping explained better. I found myself yearning for some "world building" in addition to the love story.

Also, I think that it would have been nice if A had been in the body of even more people. It was really interesting to see the world through different eyes. Perhaps if the book hadn't automatically started with A meeting Rhiannon that could have been explored more.

That said, I'm a total big fan of Levithan and I think the book is wonderful. Such a creative idea that is well executed.

Kim wrote: "Also, I think that it would have been nice if A had been in the body of even more people. It was really interesting to see the world through different eyes. Perhaps if the book hadn't automatically started with A meeting Rhiannon that could have been explored more."

I agree that meeting Rhiannon so early on was a bit problematic. As readers, we never get a real sense of what A's life was like before meeting her. Throughout the book, A's thoughts and actions are driven by emotions for Rhiannon, but what drove A's life prior to meeting her? Was life better or worse before meeting her?

In the end I just felt bad for A. This showed that he would never be able to fall in love build a relationship or even family for that matter with one person. And, he refused the temptation of what the Reverand had to offer feeling it was morally wrong to stay in soneone's body forever and leave them to be a body changing soul like he was. At least he could run away and have new experiences in new bodies, but he'd never have a normal relationship with anyone =(

Kaleigh wrote: "In the end I just felt bad for A. This showed that he would never be able to fall in love build a relationship or even family for that matter with one person...At least he could run away and have new experiences in new bodies, but he'd never have a normal relationship with anyone =( "

I'm not sure that A can't ever have a sustainable relationship with anyone, just that it's difficult. He has to find the right person to share his secret with and then be old enough to live in a big city like New York where he could change bodies easily.

Kim wrote: "I'm not sure that A can't ever have a sustainable relationship with anyone, just that it's difficult. He has to find the right person to share his secret with and then be old enough to live in a big city like New York where he could change bodies easily."

well, theoretically yes, you're right. But I don't think that would actually work. "A" was really lucky that Rhiannon was so understanding and accepting of this whole "body changing" thing, I can't imagine someone else believing him. I certainly wouldn't. And then again, I think he can't really settle down in a big city either, since he would have to be on the run in case the referend found him again...

Clary wrote: "Kim wrote: "I'm not sure that A can't ever have a sustainable relationship with anyone, just that it's difficult. He has to find the right person to share his secret with and then be old enough to ..."

I don't think that Rhiannon is the only one out there that would be understanding and accepting, but you do bring up an interesting point about the Reverend. Although, you would think that there would be way less noticeable "chatter" in a large city and that it would take a long time for people to notice a trend like they did in the smaller towns.

Well,I'm assuming the reverend is going to go after "A" and that's the reason why he ran away. I'm also assuming that he and the other "body shifters" are going to keep an eye out for A. That's why I think, frequent body shiftings in one city would be really risky. But that is just my interpretation of course.
It could easily be the case that A ran away and finally is able to start a new life somewhere safe. Then the "chatter" would definitely be less prominent in a larger city and he would have an easier time meeting new people and experinecing new lifestyles.

My god. Every day goes on my list of top ten intense books. It was written in such a careful, showing way that it made we want to cry. I really hope there's a sequel because I am dead meat if that's the only book. I understood way he ran, but the part where he finds Rhiannon a new boy is just excessive. It hurt really bad when they parted. ARGHH

I loved this book a lot. I find it unrealistically realistic. The first few chapters are slow but it is worth it in the end and I couldnt put it down. A's actions just sum him up. He only interferes in one life, and he thinks he is worth it, and is good enough for rhiannon, the girl he loves

Natalia wrote: "My god. Every day goes on my list of top ten intense books. It was written in such a careful, showing way that it made we want to cry. I really hope there's a sequel because I am dead meat if that'..."

Somehow I doubt there will be a sequel. I think the author said what he had to say and is done. But who knows. He could change his mind 10 years down the road.

I think it's really sweet that he finds another boy for Rhiannon. That's true love for you.

Lily wrote: "There are a lot of aspects about the other characters and A's capabilities that could have been explained in more detail. And although it was not necessary to the plot or A's character (which may v..."

I have to agree with you here. This is a big hole in the plot to me. We should be given more information on this subject since it is a huge part of the book. I don't mind when books leave things up in the air but this was too much.

Sometimes I have to admit I found the book a little preachy. While I did think the book was unique and different.. I was very disappointed in the ending. We get no answers at all. This book built way too much up to just leave us with nothing. I agree with other comments here. I wish we could've seen A's life before Rhiannon. I loved when he was in other bodies and living their lives. I don't know.. it was like how I love to go in other people's houses and see how they decorate.

I find the ending sad and depressing. A's life... no matter how nice and good he is, will never be good for him. Also... why couldn't Rhiannon just find her own man??? I don't think A really needed to set her up, unless he was afraid she just chooses the wrong boys.

One of the stories in the book that was hard to read was the one about the overweight teenager. I just think that would be hard to live with.. even Rhiannon was a little repulsed by him. Sad to think that people look down upon others because of how they look.

This book made me so sad. But a phenomenal read! I found the first few chapters a bit boring, but loved the concept (A's daily change) from the start.

A's life is unique in the sense that he obviously has to see the world in a way that others do not. He isn't confined by our social constructions; it's almost as if he really has no gender, since he cannot pick one over the other. He goes through a day in someone's life without leaving any clue that he was there. We get clues and snippets from his life before as he discusses his memories with the girl he falls in love with.

Rhiannon.

Because, as said by Ryan in "Dare You To," "Girls always complicate things." Suddenly, A wants something that he cannot have, and his world changes in a way that the day to day life changes (ironically) don't affect.

I really liked this read, no matter how sad it made me. I wished that the sentence structure had been a bit more complex, but the use of perspective was superb!

I find it interesting that despite A's adamant lack of identification with one gender over another, there is a strong tendency in these discussions to refer to A as male...

Lily wrote: "I find it interesting that despite A's adamant lack of identification with one gender over another, there is a strong tendency in these discussions to refer to A as male..."

I find it interesting also, and wonder what is causing that mindset. A does not have what we as readers could necessarily consider 'male' thoughts or actions.

Angie wrote: "One of the stories in the book that was hard to read was the one about the overweight teenager. I just think that would be hard to live with.. even Rhiannon was a little repulsed by him. Sad to think that people look down upon others because of how they look."

From what I recall, the teenager wasn't just overweight - he was obese. I think there is a difference. In my mind the distinction is that someone could be overweight for a number of reasons that are beyond their control. If they let their weight wander into the obese range, it's a sign that something is seriously wrong. When someone is morbidly obese - way beyond the lower limits of obese - it's a sign that they've lost control of their lives. Either they continue to make bad choices about their eating habits or they're not looking for the help they need to get their weight under control. Rhiannon's discomfort may be triggered by other things than his appearance.

Lily wrote: "I find it interesting that despite A's adamant lack of identification with one gender over another, there is a strong tendency in these discussions to refer to A as male..."

I think we refer to A as a male because he fell in love with a girl and you'd think of him as a male from that point on because most people don't emediatly assume characters are gay

Kaleigh wrote: "Lily wrote: "I think we refer to A as a male because he fell in love with a girl and you'd think of him as a male from that point on because most people don't emediatly assume characters are gay ..."

I think there's probably some truth in that. We would probably think of A as a female if A fell in love with a guy, but if we knew said guy was gay, we'd probably go back to assuming that A was male. This is made more interesting by the fact that the book is all about looking past sexuality and gender.

When writing or talking about the book, I too find myself struggling to always say "A" instead of "he". It's a conscious choice every time (and it never seems to get easier), but it's one I strive to do.

Lily wrote: "I find it interesting that despite A's adamant lack of identification with one gender over another, there is a strong tendency in these discussions to refer to A as male..."

Great observation. That is true. I think I think of A as a male because, well sad to say, but I am used to males and females together. So I think my mind is conditioned to think that way. Or this could be similar to something we have discussed in the group before. That when you read along a book you picture the characters like yourself. For example, a character that is African American a white person might picture as a white person. Not because they are racist or anything but just because that is who they relate to. I too don't want to think of A as male. A should just be a person... a being with a soul.

I think I thought A was a boy mostly because the first body we read about A being in is Justin's. From then on I just assumed A was a he. I did try for a few chapters to imagine A as a girl but I kept wandering back to thinking he was male.

This was such a thought provoking read. I really enjoyed it!

Jennika wrote: "I think I thought A was a boy mostly because the first body we read about A being in is Justin's. From then on I just assumed A was a he. I did try for a few chapters to imagine A as a girl but I k..."

I have to admit that I often tried to picture the "real" A in my head. Throughout the book a part of me kept wondering if he wouldn't eventually find his actual body at the end. Like he'd wake up and suddenly remember who and what he was.

Kim wrote: "Jennika wrote: "I think I thought A was a boy mostly because the first body we read about A being in is Justin's. From then on I just assumed A was a he. I did try for a few chapters to imagine A a..."

That would have been such a cool ending. I felt like this book could have gone so many different ways for the ending. I really did enjoy the book and the stories of each person A becomes but I kind of want a sequel because the concer was just so interesting

Concept*