David Levithan

Date of Birth: September 7, 1972

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

David Levithan is an acclaimed American author, editor, and publisher known primarily for his contributions to young adult (YA) literature. Born in Short Hills, New Jersey, Levithan displayed an early interest in writing, which he further honed at Brown University, where he majored in English and creative writing. His career in publishing began at Scholastic Corporation, where he edited the “The Baby-sitters Club” series and eventually became editorial director. Levithan’s debut novel, “Boy Meets Boy,” released in 2003, made waves for its progressive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, setting a new standard for inclusivity in YA fiction. His other popular works include “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” co-written with Rachel Cohn, and “Every Day,” which was adapted into a feature film. Levithan’s writing often explores themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships, earning him numerous awards and a dedicated readership. In addition to his writing career, Levithan continues to work as an editor and is passionate about championing new voices in the literary world. He is known for his thoughtful, compassionate approach to storytelling, as well as his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

5 Interesting Facts about David Levithan

1. David Levithan’s novel “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist” was adapted into a film in 2008, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.

2. He won the Lambda Literary Award in 2003 for his debut novel, “Boy Meets Boy.”

3. Levithan has collaborated with several authors, including John Green, with whom he co-wrote “Will Grayson, Will Grayson.”

4. He serves as the editorial director at Scholastic and is also the founding editor of the PUSH imprint, which focuses on new voices in YA literature.

5. Levithan wrote his first novel, “Boy Meets Boy,” as a birthday present for a friend, and it was never initially intended for publication.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David Levithan

1. “You can’t know what it is like for us now—you will always be one step behind. Be thankful for that. You can’t know what it was like for us then—you will always be one step ahead. Be thankful for that, too.” — from “Two Boys Kissing”

2. “The thing about a mirror is this: The one who stares into it is condemned to consider the world from her own perspective.” — from “Every Day”

3. “I no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. Not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together.” — from “Will Grayson, Will Grayson”

4. “What is it about the moment you fall in love? How can such a small measure of time contain such enormity?” — from “Every Day”

5. “There comes a time when the world gets quiet and the only thing left is your own heart. So you’d better learn the sound of it. Otherwise you’ll never understand what it’s saying.” — from “The Realm of Possibility”