Kate and Mark's instant connection might seem unlikely to some readers, but it makes perfect sense given their individual journeys that they would discover a kindred spirit in the other. Both authors are gay, and it's the first time Levithan has partnered with a writer for a book where both protagonists are gay. LaCour and Levithan's compelling if occasionally implausible story focuses on the beautiful relationship between two gay teens who are in the right place on a night they each need a friend. After an evening of adventure and heartbreak, Kate and Mark help each other navigate the last week of school, romantic possibilities and realizations, and even major decisions about the future. Kate spots Mark at a gay bar where he's competing in an underwear modeling dance-off, and the two connect nearly instantaneously. Meanwhile, Kate ditches a long-awaited meet-up with the object of her affection, Violet, the worldly and beautiful bisexual cousin of Kate's best friend. He's out but in love with his best friend/secret friend-with-benefits Ryan, who seems to crave a hookup with someone else even though Mark is quite obviously in love with him. Mark and Kate are both gay and in romantic dilemmas. Told in two points of view, YOU KNOW ME WELL is the story of Bay Area teens Mark and Kate, who've sat next to each other in calculus for an entire year but don't know each other until one fateful night when they both happen to be partying in San Francisco the week leading up to the annual Pride parade. There are also messages about gap years, college, travel, and open communication between friends and between older kids and their parents. The books contains positive messages about LGBTQ youth and how support and friendship are necessary for teens to feel safe coming out.

There's a smattering of strong language (including 'f-k' and 's-t') and several references to passionate kisses, friends who fool around and have had sex but remain 'just friends,' hooking up with new people, and loss of virginity, but none of it is graphic or crude. Although the emphasis is on the protagonists' platonic friendship, they each have romantic relationships causing them trouble. Parents need to know that You Know Me Well is a dual-point-of-view realistic novel written by acclaimed LGBTQ authors Nina LaCour and David Levithan about a gay junior and a lesbian senior who become fast friends the last week of school. They also drink at a party.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

High schoolers get into and drink at a bar/nightclub with fake IDs.

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour