Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film About The Grapes of Wrath

Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film About The Grapes of Wrath, By Steven Goldman (Bloomsbury 2008)

Until now, the spring of his junior year, Mitchell has led an unassuming life. He’s quiet, a good student, and definitely not a girl magnet. But now life’s getting complicated. Mitchell turns in an irreverent Claymation film as his Grapes of Wrath project, parents complain, and his English teacher takes a sudden leave of absence—is Mitchell to blame? As prom approaches, the most popular girl in school starts pursuing Mitchell—is she for real? And Mitchell’s best friend, David, tells him he’s gay—what does that mean for their friendship?

While the Grapes of Wrath subplot is entertaining (anyone who’s ever faked their way through a school project will heartily identify) and the girlfriend storyline is quintessential coming-of-age stuff, the true story—the most interesting, genuine, and heart-felt part of the novel—lies in the suddenly uncertain friendship between Mitchell and David. After David comes out to him, Mitchell knows he’s still the same David, yet things feel different between them. They’re not “just friends,” but what’s the difference between being best friends and boyfriends?

I liked the way the novel addresses Mitchell’s questions about David and himself. Goldman maintains a very light touch and keeps the level of humor high. Mitchell doesn’t waste much time wondering if he’s gay himself, if being friends with David will make him gay, if he’ll be targeted by bullies for having a gay friend, or if being gay makes David a bad or sick person. Mitchell has plenty of questions (Is David sure he’s gay? Does he “like” anyone?), but behind all his questions is the urge to understand and accept his friend as he is.

In tone and matter-of-fact treatment of puberty issues, the book reminded me of Gordon Korman’s teen books (e.g., A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag) and early Jerry Spinelli (Space Station Seventh Grade). There’s a lot of toilet humor and discussion of masturbation and female anatomy. These things, plus some underage drinking and making out, firmly push Two Parties out of middle grade territory into YA, but in terms of its positive, humorous approach to gay teen issues, it’s reminiscent of David LaRochelle’s wonderful Absolutely, Positively Not. Recommended for grades 7 and up.