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40th out of 50 books
—
12 voters
David Inside Out
by
Lee Bantle
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...more
Hardcover, 184 pages
Published
May 12th 2009
by Henry Holt and Company, LLC
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David is having trouble controlling where his eyes go in the locker room after cross-country practice; more importantly he's having trouble with what that means. He's also having trouble understanding why his best boyhood buddy feels the need to be so open about being gay, and why his team mate and current crush Sean is so adament about denying his feelings, even after they...
This book is an enjoyable quick read and the characters are likeable enough. It's nice to see a more up to date version o...more
This book is an enjoyable quick read and the characters are likeable enough. It's nice to see a more up to date version o...more
Here's a rant about how we all judge books by their covers:
I was given an uncorrected proof of "David Inside Out" at some nerdy English teacher conference and it sat on my shelf for a few years. The cover is AWFUL! I am always looking for recommendations I can make to my teen students struggling with coming out. No potentially gay kid would carry this book around. Look at that dumb cover. Hell, Bantle even discusses the stigma of being seen with the movie "My Beautiful Launderette," or gay book...more
I was given an uncorrected proof of "David Inside Out" at some nerdy English teacher conference and it sat on my shelf for a few years. The cover is AWFUL! I am always looking for recommendations I can make to my teen students struggling with coming out. No potentially gay kid would carry this book around. Look at that dumb cover. Hell, Bantle even discusses the stigma of being seen with the movie "My Beautiful Launderette," or gay book...more
David is pretty sure he’s gay. At least he knows that much about himself. He thinks about guys in sexual ways and he can’t help but perve on his team mates in the showers after practice. But David doesn’t think he should be thinking these things, so he snaps a rubber band around his wrist to snap at every time he has an ‘inappropriate’ thought about a guy.
But then Sean, the guys he’s been crushing on, sort of outs himself to David. Although its clear that Sean has no intention of outing himself...more
But then Sean, the guys he’s been crushing on, sort of outs himself to David. Although its clear that Sean has no intention of outing himself...more
1 like · like · see review
David Dahlgren is finding that things are getting really difficult in school. He is fairly good at track, and he has some great friends, but he is really worried about everyone finding out his biggest secret. David is gay, and some people already have some suspicions because his best friend has recently come out.
David does everything he can to try and immerse himself in the straight life, including buying some really "guyish" magazines such as Road & Track and Playboy. he even tries getting...more
David does everything he can to try and immerse himself in the straight life, including buying some really "guyish" magazines such as Road & Track and Playboy. he even tries getting...more
I was asked to review this book for a group of YA librarians. In spite of the pretty graphic sex, much of it VERY exploitive, I basically liked the book. I gave it a "recommend", but I do have some concerns about appropriateness in a high school library -- public library's YA collection, no problem.
Now after reading many reviews (on this website & others), I'm may be having second thoughts. It's definitely not Geography Club or Rainbow Boys, but there are some excellent points made without...more
Now after reading many reviews (on this website & others), I'm may be having second thoughts. It's definitely not Geography Club or Rainbow Boys, but there are some excellent points made without...more
"David Inside Out" is about David Dahlgren, a likeable young man that might just be gay. He is struggling to accept the fact though, in fact, he is doing everything to avoid it. He dates a girl, avoids his gay best friend, and has a rubber band to snap himself with whenever he has innapropriate thoughts. Suddenly, one of his track teammates who he has had a crush on, Sean, starts to show some feelings toward David too. While it seems like a good thing at first, this bond may not be the best thin...more
6 likes · like · see review
This book had potential I feel, but it missed out being better than it was. The first half was so weak. The characters, David especially, unfortunately, were really weak. I couldn't connect to his story. For once, I think this is a story that would have benefited from a more complex background for all the characters. I'm glad the story progressed so quickly, but I don't think it was worth the sacrifice in quality. But right around page 120 things got better. David's dilemma was more convincing,...more
David Dahlgren is a high-school senior, a member of of track team, who has a gay friend (Eddie), a supposed to be girlfriend (Kick), and a huge crush to one of his team members (Sean). David is pretty sure he is gay but he is NOT sure whether he wants other people in his school know about it ...
This is a wonderful coming-of-age novel; a look of what a gay teenager might think and feel on his 16th year of life. Knowing that he has a huge crush on a "boy" but facing that his friends are not nice t...more
This is a wonderful coming-of-age novel; a look of what a gay teenager might think and feel on his 16th year of life. Knowing that he has a huge crush on a "boy" but facing that his friends are not nice t...more
2 likes · like · see review
David is a high school junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He's a runner for the high school track team. He goes to a private, parochial school on scholarship. David's best friend since elementary school is a boy named Eddie. Eddie is openly gay and trying to start a gay/straight alliance group in the school. This embarrasses David, even though he secretly harbors a crush on his track teammate Sean.
David's guilt over his growing attraction to Sean leads him to take drastic measures. He distances...more
David's guilt over his growing attraction to Sean leads him to take drastic measures. He distances...more
My Rating: 4.5
David Inside Out was a novel about self-discovery which offered an evoking plot and endearing characters. I've never had the chance to read a GLBT book until now. I must say, Lee is an extraordinary author who has the ability to grab readers from start to finish. The quality behind the story was sincere and powerfully impressive. David's personality was amazing; he had a good head on his shoulders and a caring heart. However, the struggle within himself was confused and lost. His m...more
David Inside Out was a novel about self-discovery which offered an evoking plot and endearing characters. I've never had the chance to read a GLBT book until now. I must say, Lee is an extraordinary author who has the ability to grab readers from start to finish. The quality behind the story was sincere and powerfully impressive. David's personality was amazing; he had a good head on his shoulders and a caring heart. However, the struggle within himself was confused and lost. His m...more
Feb 22, 2013
Abigail
is currently reading it
I want to start out by saying that I'm not finished with this book. I'm not even half way though. I've made it as far as page 35. I'm going against my rule of reviewing before I finish. But, I wanted to get this down while I was thinking about it.
I've been on a kick lately with books like this. "David Inside Out" is probably about the tenth one I've read in under a month. And quite frankly, so far there is nothing that sets it apart from all the others I've read. I understand I'm reading a genr...more
I've been on a kick lately with books like this. "David Inside Out" is probably about the tenth one I've read in under a month. And quite frankly, so far there is nothing that sets it apart from all the others I've read. I understand I'm reading a genr...more
Well-rounded cast of characters brings to life this short, sweet coming-out story. The female characters were thoughtfully writen, as was his first love affair. There were some steamy make-out scenes, but the author kept the language vague in order to tone it down. The story explores how repressed Midwestern guys struggle to come out, or not. I was facinated at how some keep rationalizing and marginalizing this aspect of themselves while still dating girls.
*****Potential Spoiler******
the first...more
*****Potential Spoiler******
the first...more
David is on his school's cross-country team. All is well until his best friend comes out to him and David realizes that he has a crush on a teammate. David does everything he can think of to deny his orientation: he begins to date a girl, he snaps a rubber band on his wrist whenever he has a thought about a guy, but the feelings don't disappear. At the end of the novel, David finally comes to terms with his orientation and apologizes to his best friend for avoiding him.
I can appreciate David's r...more
I can appreciate David's r...more
David Inside Out, a new young adult novel by Lee Bantle, is a wonderful coming-of-age story that follows a gay teen in small town Minnesota who is in deep denial about his sexuality. He's trying everything he can to be straight. He dates his friend Kick, a girl, in hopes of becoming attracted to her. He wears a rubber band around his wrist and snaps it every time he has "inappropriate" thoughts about his teammate, Sean. And, when his best friend, Eddie, comes out, David begins avoiding him at al...more
My best friend, a girl who has a huge love for any form of homosexuality, told me that this book was amazing. That I HAD to read it. That it would rock my socks (maybe not that last part).
And dude. She was a wee bit off.
Yes. I liked the book. And I loved the message it was trying to send. But there was a huge lack of description. The only person I recall being described in the book (with actual useful detail that is) was the girl (Whose name I do not remember. Sorry)and she really wasn't THA...more
And dude. She was a wee bit off.
Yes. I liked the book. And I loved the message it was trying to send. But there was a huge lack of description. The only person I recall being described in the book (with actual useful detail that is) was the girl (Whose name I do not remember. Sorry)and she really wasn't THA...more
I have mixed feelings about this book. To some extent I enjoyed reading about the characters in this book, but for the most part I felt it was nothing I hadn't read before. It also seemed to make things too casual for my taste (like excessive teenage drinking/sex), so I didn't have a ton of respect for the characters because of the things they were doing so freely. I could sympathize with some of their feelings at times, but at others, not so much. It's an interesting addition to my GLBT book co...more
DAVID INSIDE OUT is a quiet but powerful read about the complexities of coming out in a wary society. Details are sparse, and while the simplistic narration and underdeveloped characters may turn off some readers, others may appreciate those techniques as a subtle yet effective way of bringing a difficult issue to light. David’s uneven summarization of the events in his life is indicative of a confused individual attempt to sort out his emotions.
Many of the characters, unfortunately, are unlikab...more
Many of the characters, unfortunately, are unlikab...more
Although I did end up caring about David, the main character, I just felt that the author just tried to portray too much drama into such a small book. David is on the track team and is madly in love with a teammate named Sean. It's odd how even though David is struggling with coming to terms with himself, he doesn't go to the one person who is sure of his gayness...his best friend? There is too much story here for the small size of the book. You can easily read this book in one sitting. Another...more
I have read better written books dealing with self discovery and coming out. This deserves a place on the shelf because there are so few titles that reflect the gay high school experience and the struggle for self acceptance and community tolerance. David is a truly likable guy and through all we wish him the best as he struggles with a horrible love interest and finding his place in the community. His friends and family rock and are great, supporting him as he grows into self acceptance.
Lee is...more
Lee is...more
Originally I had purchased the book to add to my LGBT shelf in my classroom, but I'm glad I read it first. There was too much sexual content to have in my room. While the story was okay, and I felt bad for David, some of the story felt awkward. At one point the author switches to third person for one paragraph, while the rest of the book was in first.
I did feel bad that Sean was so confused. I wanted him and David to end up together, and I wanted a happier ending for David. It was bittersweet,...more
I did feel bad that Sean was so confused. I wanted him and David to end up together, and I wanted a happier ending for David. It was bittersweet,...more
High school coming out story about a gay high school athlete who develops a crush on another member of his track team. It was okay. The author based it in part on his experiences growing up gay in late 1970s/early 1980s, but the book is set in present day. There’s no talk of gay-straight alliances or using the internet. Instead, David calls a gay crisis hotline and gets referred to the local gay bookstore. Hurray for third places, but not exactly the teen GLBT experience I was expecting for pres...more
Reviewed by Lauren Ashley for TeensReadToo.com
DAVID INSIDE OUT was a book that I'd been looking forward to reading for awhile and I'm grateful I was given the chance to review it. It's a very fast read: I got so caught up in the story, I was able to finish it in only one day.
David's best friend, Eddie, comes out as gay and shows that he doesn't care - it's just the way he is. David, on the other hand, pushes him away so people won't call him "gay by association" if you will, and pretends that he...more
DAVID INSIDE OUT was a book that I'd been looking forward to reading for awhile and I'm grateful I was given the chance to review it. It's a very fast read: I got so caught up in the story, I was able to finish it in only one day.
David's best friend, Eddie, comes out as gay and shows that he doesn't care - it's just the way he is. David, on the other hand, pushes him away so people won't call him "gay by association" if you will, and pretends that he...more
This was my first novel I read that talked about homosexuality in the perspective of a homosexual (oh how that statement is redundant). Definitely not enjoyable subject matter, but it definitely gave me a little more outlook on how being born "differently" can be a strange and unpleasant experience. I would suggest it to anyone is a little more of a liberal thinker and can be accepting to this awkward topic.
Warning: If you do pick up this novel, there are some sexual situations. You have been wa...more
Warning: If you do pick up this novel, there are some sexual situations. You have been wa...more
While David Inside Out clearly had good intentions in mind, much of the novel fell flat for me. David's reactions to EVERYTHING, from his mother to being rejected, were so dramatic and over-the-top that I had a hard time relating. Added to the numerous errors (it switches into third person point of view for one two-line paragraph at one point) it makes for a good light read, but nothing to be taken seriously.
As coming-out YA novels go, this one was pretty standard, and lacked the spark of Boy Meets Boy (ok, that one's not really a coming out story, at least not for the main character) or The Geography Club. Still, there are so few comparable novels out there, at least by mainstream publishers who have the power to reach the masses. I'm sure it will speak to some kids, and I'm glad it was published.
Dec 11, 2012
Shiho Hikaru
added it
i found a friend like that too.. he always told me his feeling about his crush,,but at the end,,he is the one who suffer more,,i'm against gay or lesbian,,but as for the matter of heart, i do hope he try to be more opened about his own feeling,,i suggest him to confess,.,,he did,,even his crush declined, but he declined very politely, and of course,they manage to be friend till now,,haha
So,
It's a book about coming out. Therefore, the main character is gay. And I'm STILL imagining them naked? In my bed? Yes. Yes I am :]
I mean, come on!! Gay guys are hot. Sure, they'd never look at me and go "Damn I'd tap that!" But it doesn't mean I can't think I'd tap THEM!
Oh... I'm not exactly saying anything about this book am I??
Well, It's about a smoking hot babe named David, Who runs track with the super sexy Sam. WHO happens to be Gay too. Well, Closeted gay anyway (he takes dah BJ...more
It's a book about coming out. Therefore, the main character is gay. And I'm STILL imagining them naked? In my bed? Yes. Yes I am :]
I mean, come on!! Gay guys are hot. Sure, they'd never look at me and go "Damn I'd tap that!" But it doesn't mean I can't think I'd tap THEM!
Oh... I'm not exactly saying anything about this book am I??
Well, It's about a smoking hot babe named David, Who runs track with the super sexy Sam. WHO happens to be Gay too. Well, Closeted gay anyway (he takes dah BJ...more
Young adult fiction: a gay boy senior year in high school gradually comes to terms with his sexuality. Written in first person, the adult reader may find this a bit hackneyed, but it's perfect for ages 14 - up. Teenagers really do have all those intense feelings, and it's very hard to settle into feeling good about yourself when you are different.
David. Scholarship student. Best friend is gay. Runner on track team is the object of affection. Experimental sex with girlfriend. Uses condoms. Calls gay talk line. Goes to gay bookstore. Comes out. Appreciates his family. Very sympathetic mother. References to Reflections of a Rock Lobster! Writes letters to romance novel authors! Hmmmm......
I tried to read this but found the masturbation scenes, incessant teen drinking, and vapid sexual encounters between the two gay runners too much. I thought this book was not really suitable for teens as it didn't really focus on coming to terms with ones sexuality as much as it just showcased raunchy teen behavior....whether gay or straight...this was not well written in my opinion.
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I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn in a sunny apartment where I do my writing. I set David Inside Out in Minneapolis, Minnesota where I grew up and went to college.
In addition to being a writer, I am a lawyer who represents employees in race, gender, disability and sexual orientation discrimination lawsuits. My law firm, Bantle & Levy LLP, is located in Greenwich Village.
I got my B.A. degree in jo...more
More about Lee Bantle...
In addition to being a writer, I am a lawyer who represents employees in race, gender, disability and sexual orientation discrimination lawsuits. My law firm, Bantle & Levy LLP, is located in Greenwich Village.
I got my B.A. degree in jo...more
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Nov 01, 2010 07:26pm