Bantle, Lee. David Inside Out. 2009. 192p. Henry Holt, $16.99. (978-0805081220) Gr. 8-12

David comes out in his senior year after he falls in love another member of his track team.

This is one of the best and most realistic coming out stories I’ve ever read for teens. David first has to deal with his own internalized homophobia before coming out to his best friend (who is also gay) and acting on his love for Sean. You have to get past the hokey jacket art (never mind that the story takes place in Minnesota in the winter) and a bit of a slow start, but if you stick with it, you’ll get completely caught up.  The author doesn’t shy away from the physicality of David’s passion, which is nice, and he also does a good job of showing the depth of David’s emotions, as well as his vulnerability. David is a refreshingly real character, and the secondary characters are well developed, too. — KT Horning