"Every Day" by David Levithan

It is easy to see why this book is already getting serious buzz coming into awards season, and why it is rising fast on the New York Times bestseller list.  David Levithan is a guy with gifts.  He not only is a terrific writer, but it turns out he also works as an editor for Scholastic -- teaming with some of the top YA authors out there today.  His efforts come together in a novel that simply does not have flaws ... and is the most unique story I've ever read.  A sixteen year-old named "A" does not have a body, but flows from person to person each day.  The perspectives and experiences of "A" challenge the reader to redefine our preconceptions about, well, everything.  What does it mean to not have tomorrow?  What would happen if we were to see out of the eyes of others?  Who are we if we are not defined by our physicality and gender?  What is personhood?  This is one of those "eating" books that you simply must savor, and may want to read and re-read.  A classic in the making, it is a novel with tremendous literary merit that is also extremely accessible.  This, too, is one of Mr. Levithan's gifts; the ability to create characters you connect to, even when the characters are seemingly inaccessible.

SPOILER ALERT

Readers of this blog will know that I'm not always a fan of the open ending, but the truth is, I don't mind open endings when that is where the story builds to.  In "The Giver" for instance, the ending fits.  That is also the case here, although Levithan's fans clearly want more.  At the National Book Festival the author was asked about a sequel to this book.  He responded that he might consider writing a type of companion novel, about one of the people "A" inhabits, but that a sequel was not likely.  If nothing else, the end will make the world of fanfic writers happy, although I'm pretty sure none could match the richness of this tale.

Hands-down a "best book" -- get it now.  Seriously, stop reading this, turn off your computer, go out to your local library, and find a copy.  And enjoy.  And think.  And enjoy.