Openly Straight & Honest Ben by Bill Konigsberg

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg - 320 pages
Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg - 326 pages

These two books tell the stories of Rafe and Ben at an all boy's school and how their relationship develops over time.  Rafe moves out east to the boarding school to reinvent himself so he is not the "gay" kid.  He meets Ben who quickly becomes his best friend and possibly something more. 

I definitely liked Honestly Ben better than the first book.  I really struggled to finish Openly Straight.  I just didn't care for the character of Rafe in the first book.  I'm not sure that the second book would make much sense if you haven't read the first one though.

The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg

The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg - 345 pages

Max is a chill guy with great friends who know he is gay.  However, he has a secret about an encounter with an older guy.  Jordan is uncomfortable around anyone other than his mom and two best friends.  He's hiding the fact that his mother is spiraling out of control and that they might lose the house.  Now Max and Jordan are working together on a food truck trying the save the house.  Over the course of the summer, they'll have to face these secrets and decide what to do about them.

I read this book as I wasn't sure if it should go in the teen or adult collection.  I believe that it is a teen book.  However, due to its subject  matter I also believe that it is definitely for older teens.