“It’s not easy,” she says, in that voice that mothers have, that mix of unwanted knowledge and small consolation. “Whatever you had—I don’t know exactly what it was, and that’s fine. But it must not be easy for you. You miss him, and that’s okay. But you have to figure that if it’s too hard to hang on, then maybe you should let go.”

American YA author and editor of the 21st century, David Levithan writes fiction that explores queer identity and adolescent experience with honesty and warmth. His novels, including *Boy Meets Boy* and *Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist*, blend contemporary realism with lyrical prose, offering nuanced portrayals of young people navigating love, belonging, and self-discovery.