The Vast Fields of Ordinary is amazing because it manages to realistically portray teenage protagonists as flawed, daring, and honest people. This Stonewall award winner follows Dade in his last summer at home before college where his relationship with Pablo, a closeted football player, is problematic and where he meets someone who may turn it all around. I don’t want to say too much more about the plot, because I don’t want to give it away, however, I will say that this book does take quite a twist at the end.
I think my favorite part about this book is the characters. It takes a talented author to make me interested in a book that doesn’t have a ton of plot to it. So, if you like spending time with people, you will probably enjoy this book.
Fair warning, this book does get some flak for drug and alcohol usage. I think the way it happens is handled maturely, but I’d talk with a parent before reading this one if you think they’d be against it.