Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan (2009)

Told in three voices, Claire, Jasper and Peter, try to explain the events right after September 11, 2001.  All three are teenagers living in New York City,attempting to grasp the transformation that undertakes their city. Claire is the first one to speak, taking us quickly through the first plane crash and the second.  She rushes from her class to find her younger brother, Sammy and stays there, waiting for her mom to come, praying for her mom to arrive, willing her mom not to be dead.  In Jasper's first chapter he sleeps through the entire event, then can't stop watching it on television, emotionless.  Peter is outside Tower Records, listening to music and has to walk up to Washington Square Park to see the first hole in the tower. 

This story is so emotionally-told and I love the character's David Levithan has created to carry out his thoughts.  It's deep, sad, yet ever hopeful.  Claire struggles on her own and takes walks at night, in her city trying to find answers.  Peter and Jasper struggle through their first date, and... I have to stop talking about it because you have to read it and it should be read fresh.  I am so happy to have this horrific event memorialized because it shouldn't leave our minds.  Levithan does a great job of presenting those arguments over 9/11, which divided the country.  The overabundance of flags, and  Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq, are both issues Claire struggles with and she marches against the war.  I related heavily with Claire's feelings and think this should be required high school reading. 

This is the first book I've ever read that made me want to make a soundtrack to remember it by.  Before I take it back to the library I'm going to make a list of the songs Levithan uses and make a playlist.  David Levithan's website-click here.
This book is a rare gem for all.  Click there for  Rainbow List review.

Highly Recommended-YA Fiction

5/5 peaceful stars
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