*Starred Review* Rafe and Ben return in this eagerly awaited sequel to Konigsberg's Openly Straight (2013). The spotlight this time is on Ben, whose intimate friendship with Rafe has ended badly. Ben (straight) and Rafe (gay) are cautiously trying to revive this friendship, but, like so much in Ben's life, it's complicated. Ben now appears to have it all: forging a new relationship with the lovely, outspoken Hannah; being named captain of the baseball team though he's only a junior; and receiving a prestigious award that is accompanied by a college scholarship essential, as Ben comes from an economically challenged farm family. All of this good fortune comes with increasingly onerous stress: Hannah distrusts Ben's growing friendship with Rafe, being captain of the team is a challenge, and Ben needs to pass a vitally important calculus test to retain the award. How will he handle all of this, especially the friendship with Rafe that may again turn into something deeper? The thoughtful, reserved Ben tells his story in his distinctive, introspective voice, and Konigsberg has again done a remarkable job developing characters and inviting readers to consider the meaning of friendship with all its rewards and challenges. Extremely well written, this novel of ideas is deeply satisfying and as honest as its appealing protagonist.--Cart, Michael Copyright 2017 Booklist

Gr 9 Up-Ben Carver works hard trying to please his friends, his teammates, his teachers, and, most important, his father. Barely keeping up with his classwork, extracurricular activities, and friendships, Ben wonders if he does all of these things for himself or just to placate those around him. He grapples with staying true to himself, even if he isn't sure who that self is yet. This follow-up to Openly Straight is told from Ben's perspective as a scholarship student living among privileged classmates as well as a teen wrestling with the consequences of living by other people's expectations. Well-rounded characters take readers from serious, thoughtful discussions to typical teen pranks with ease. A boarding school story along the lines of Andrew Smith's Winger, this is equal parts serious and funny as it addresses homophobia, hazing rituals, and cheating while also delighting readers with a slice-of-life tale set at a private academy. VERDICT A first purchase for public libraries wishing to add diverse titles to their collection; give this to fans of Andrew Smith, Brent Hartinger, and John Knowles.-Jenni Frencham, Columbus Public Library, WI © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Seventeen-year-old Ben Carver is under a lot of pressure. He's having a hard time in calculus, a subject that could torpedo his stellar GPA and ruin his chances at receiving the prestigious Pappas Award, which would look fantastic on his college résumé and provide a needed scholarship. He's also having difficulty with Rafe Goldberg, his gay former friend (with whom he got quite close in Konigsberg's Openly Straight), and might be falling for a girl named Hannah. The trouble is, Ben is in love with Rafe, but he can't accept the idea of being in love with a boy. Ben isn't homophobic, but that doesn't make it any easier for him to see himself-captain of the baseball team, son of a farmer-as gay or even bisexual. Konigsberg again realistically explores what happens when one's self butts up against who the world's expectations and assumptions. Ben refuses to be labeled, and the result is a refreshingly honest exploration of modern relationships and an understanding that love can take many shapes and forms. Ages 14-up. Agent: Linda Epstein, Emerald City Literary. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

After his best friend Rafe comes out (Openly Straight), Ben grapples with his own identity as "gay-for-Rafe"--straight, but still head-over-heels for his friend. Through this lens, the challenges of being openly yourself when you can't yet put a label on who you are come to light. Set at Ben's prestigious Massachusetts boarding school, the multidimensional coming-of-age tale celebrates individuality and interconnection. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.